Desert Cat (Felis silvestris) is a large animal with a relatively shorter tail. It stands about 25-35 cm at shoulders. Males weigh up to 5 kg, and females 3.5-4 kg. Females are somewhat lighter in color than the males. The head is broader than that of the domestic cat. Nose pad is pink in color. The cat has two distinct parallel black streaks on each cheek, striped forehead, and greenish yellow iris. Black stripes on the forehead and neck merge into a more or less distinct spinal band from which a number of transverse bars run down to the belly. Ears are small and pointed with faint black tufts. The length of the tail is about half of the head and body length. The tail is well furred and it ends bluntly. The coat is yellowish grey with numerous black spots and the under-parts are cream. The cat is is found in drier parts of
Punjab,
Gujarat,
Rajasthan and
Maharashtra.
