The Asiatic Desert Cat
Felis lybica ornata

The Asiatic Desert Cat is so closely related to the African Desert Cat that they are regarded as the same species. It is a fairly small cat, smaller than both the European wildcat and the African desert cat, males weighing around 3.5 kilograms, females usually less than three. In colour it is greyish-yellow or reddish, with small black or rusty spots which sometimes form stripes.

Its range extends from Iran to China and Mongolia with a small overlap into Siberia and Kazakhstan. To the south the range is bounded by the Himalayas except for an area of west India and Pakistan. Westwards it extends through Iran to the Caspian Sea
Mainly found in scrub desert areas, the Asiatic wildcat is absent from the Mongolian steppe country. In mountain areas it ranges to a height of 3000m provided that there is enough vegetation.
The map shows the present distribution of Asiatic Desert Cats in grey.
The map is based on information in the Wild Cats Status Survey and Conservation Action Plan published by the IUCN/SSC Cat Specialist Group in 1996. See our Books page for more details.

Like its close relatives, the Asiatic Desert Cat feeds mainly on rodents such as mice and voles but lagomorphs, birds, insects and reptiles are also taken.

Mainly found in semi-desert country, it can live for a long time without access to water. It is sometimes found as high as 3000m. in mountain areas and appears to avoid forests. In the western extremity of its range there is some overlap with the European wildcat, but the latter is mainly a forest animal and they do not compete.

The Asiatic desert cat is fully protected only in India and Pakistan, but some control over hunting and trade is exercised in many other parts.