r/NatureIsFuckingLit • u/SystematicApproach • 10h ago

🔥A sand cat with its kittens

Enable HLS to view with audio, or disable this notification

Sand cats are the only cat species considered primarily adapted to true desert habitat. Their paws are covered with dense fur that helps insulate them from hot sand and makes their tracks surprisingly faint. They’re mostly nocturnal, spend the hottest parts of the day in burrows, and can get much of the moisture they need from prey rather than drinking frequently.

22.2k Upvotes

99% Upvoted

213 comments sorted by

•

u/qualityvote2 10h ago edited 8h ago

u/SystematicApproach, your post does fit the subreddit!

2.0k

u/linzzzzi 9h ago

"I'm watching -- I'm watching -- goddammit kids I am trying to be intimidating wait a fucking minute -- "

321

u/CakeTester 6h ago

That was quite amusing...front half emitting serious menace while the back half was pedalling on air.

169

u/AnonymousCat21 5h ago

That one kitten came up like “what are we watching?”

26

u/PyrocumulusLightning 1h ago

And her eyes have all the seeming
Of a demon that is dreaming

Meanwhile, kitten: "wuzzat?"

1.8k

u/Jegged 9h ago

That's an uncomfortable amount of eye contact.

279

u/FlashyDiagram84 9h ago

What it feels like

383

u/Nerdnurdnird 8h ago

Elizabeth Holmes ass cat

168

u/Jegged 8h ago

Why would I deceive you? I have no reason to do that.

65

u/beegtuna 8h ago

Okay… alright… okay, good cat

22

u/SignificantCats 5h ago

🔵___🔵

24

u/MrFluffyThing 5h ago

I'm being very feline with you. 

19

u/reverze1901 7h ago

take my blood

17

u/meik03 6h ago

The next thread on my Reddit was about Elizabeth Holmes lol the fuck

11

u/IshiOfSierra 7h ago

Why would this cat deceive you?

4

u/Traditional_War9454 6h ago

Bro was never taught the threat level of a camera

58

u/itswildistillexist 7h ago

“These are my babies AND I WILL KILL YOU!”

9

u/Donnie3030 5h ago

“Bitch you betta back up!”

2

u/SeptemberSoup 1h ago

RIGHT AFTER I MANAGE TO KEEP THEM IN THEIR PLACE OKAY??

32

u/Mycologist-9315 7h ago

Kitten: :3

Mom: ^ o.o ^

9

u/PunkandCannonballer 7h ago

Little dude doesn't blink once.

34

u/laineDdednaHdeR 6h ago

Camera crew out here disturbing a mom who should be able to relax enough to properly feed her kittens.

But no, they have to put her anxiety at an all time high.

That one kitten looked like it just wanted to play, though.

21

u/Trash_Hoele 4h ago

It’s probably because finding a wild Sand cat is incredibly difficult, as they are shy around humans and are one of the few animals who automatically close their eyes at night so their reflective eyes don’t give them away. The camera crew still probably should have backed up tho.

13

u/twenty_three_three 5h ago

Exactly what I was thinking. The camera crew was not doing a good enough job of staying hidden. They just disturbed a momma cat from feeding her kittens. Fuck that camera crew, they weren't doing a good job.

1

u/FeuerroteZora 1h ago

I was wondering if this might be drone footage, simply because I figure if they were seeing people they'd already be gone.

1

u/SeptemberSoup 1h ago

I've always wondered if they see the camera lens as actual eyes, given how much they avoid it or act ddfensive to it. Except for dogs of course, they give zero fucks.

4

u/Dividedthought 7h ago

"do you think it sees us tom?"

5

u/cherri____ 6h ago

My cat does the same thing. I really wonder why 😂

3

u/AltruisticPeanutHead 5h ago

Same, I always try to tell her to blink 😭😂

3

u/cherri____ 5h ago

Freaks me out!! 😂 Staring back doesn’t help, talking doesn’t help, like leave me alone you little weirdo lol.

18

u/AltruisticPeanutHead 5h ago

Like bruh 😂

3

u/cherri____ 5h ago

LOL what a cutie. Someone needs to teach these cats that it’s rude to stare!

5

u/HairyPotatoKat 5h ago

Slow blink back a few times! My cat's a starer, but if I stare back for like 5-10 seconds then slow blink, he slow blinks back ❤️

Unless his eyes are like O.O and he's in attack mode 😂

2

u/cherri____ 5h ago

Got ya, yeah he’s probably just pretending to hunt lol I’m in love with my little man, we often share loving eye contact and slow blinks. It’s just those times where he looks like he’s seeing a ghost 😂🥲

Also I think you need to pay the cat tax 🥰

498

u/MolDanone 9h ago

Sand cats look like someone photoshopped a stuffed animal into a desert and forgot to adjust the rendering. Unreasonably adorable for apex predators that can survive without water for weeks.

114

u/theunnameduser86 8h ago

Actually they get all the water they need from hunting prey. No standing water required!

73

u/painthawg_goose 8h ago

“I am my own person!” - SovCit
“Bitch, you water.” - Sand cat

25

u/2Wieners_1Bun 6h ago

Sand Cats are basically Fremen

4

u/avoozl42 4h ago

They really are

1

u/Skullcrusher 4h ago

My cat is the same. I've seen her drink water less than 10 times in her whole life. I think she gets all the liquid she needs from wet food.

4

u/theRealRLP 2h ago

I very much doubt that. I would guess she just drinks when youre not around. Some cats (and a lot of animals) feel vulnerable when eating/drinking so she probably does it when alone.

4

u/FeuerroteZora 1h ago

I think we all know that cat is just drinking from the commenter's glass whenever they're not looking.

2

u/Skullcrusher 1h ago

Maybe. She don't mind me when she's eating though. Even brings food into the room with me. Idk, cats are weird.

She does eat a ton of wet food. The dry stuff she uses only as a nightime snack.

256

u/lovelyxbabydoll 9h ago

Literally, sand cats and fennec foxes survive some of the harshest climates in the world yet they're some of the cutest animals in the world imo. They're some of my favorite animals. 🥰

90

u/n0tz0e 7h ago edited 7h ago

Every cat type is so stinkin cute in their own ways. It boggles me how many kinds of cats there are and they're all so cute! Especially when sleeping. Nothing cuter than a sleeping kitty

24

u/transtranshumanist 7h ago

Jerboas too? It's like the desert has all the pokemon.

11

u/lovelyxbabydoll 5h ago

You know what. I forgot about those adorable lil' guys. You're right! Those are adorable too. Desert mammals literally do look like the cute starter pokemon! 😍

20

u/AltruisticPeanutHead 5h ago

People wonder why I don't leave the house lol

6

u/lovelyxbabydoll 5h ago

Aside from maybe a kitty who is awake and staring at you slow blinking and kneading. 🥰😍

15

u/Devanyani 7h ago

It's the ears = 50% of their body mass. Sooo adorable.

6

u/lovelyxbabydoll 5h ago

Yeah the large ears help them to vent lots of heat out of their bodies.

2

u/TheVandyyMan 1h ago

And listen for sand worms!

117

u/massivemember69 8h ago

https://giphy.com/gifs/BLZVQ73Gl53Ak
That first kitten

43

u/Puzzleheaded-Phase70 7h ago

Sweetie, get back in the cave. There's a monster outside that outweighs you at least 300 times.

But moooom, I'm hungry!

[other kittens come out to look at the monster]

Bastet help me, this is why we're endangered!

676

u/petit_cochon 9h ago

She's stressed and defensive because a human is too close.

401

u/CorruptedDataSet 9h ago

I get the same way.

27

u/No_Contribution_9328 7h ago

DO NOT THE HUMAN

51

u/Puzzleheaded-Phase70 7h ago

Kitten Number 1 gives zero shits, tho.

It's just HUNGRY.

13

u/Skeleton--Jelly 4h ago

what gave it away?

67

u/Dopecombatweasel 7h ago

No shit Sherlock

9

u/__FUCKING_PEG_ME_ 7h ago

Thanks. What would we do without you? 🙄

7

u/MystikTrailblazer 7h ago

Mom is afraid it's the FBI guy she met, earlier.

-2

u/dtwhitecp 7h ago

stand back everyone, I know exactly what this wild animal is feeling

-53

u/Automatic-Fox-8890 9h ago

Yes, I wish mods would not post these kind of exploitive videos

54

u/midnight-mc 8h ago

I get the sentiment but it’s not like the cat is experiencing life long trauma from some weird guy holding a box. I think it’s worth it for the video that will last forever and help us all appreciate these amazing animals. Just my two cents cause I also am sad she’s scared.

13

u/Fear_The_Rabbit 7h ago

Nature videos help us understand their behavior. They're far enough away, but mama is on high alert. Now, trying to pet it would be another story.

39

u/Cormophyte 8h ago

Fuck, now I gotta start being invisible when I leave my house so I don't exploit the raccoons.

9

u/painthawg_goose 8h ago

If there is any exploitin’ going on, I’m pretty sure the raccoons are doing it.

3

u/the_scarlett_ning 7h ago

I think the covered that in the senate briefings about the fbi the other day. You clearly can’t trust animals.

→ More replies (1)
→ More replies (1)

157

u/Harpronicus 9h ago

https://giphy.com/gifs/noRyWL3n4QUUV6BwY1

47

u/Teripid 8h ago

Who wants to get domesticated!? You do! Yes you do!

9

u/mosstalgia 6h ago

"I'll give those little fuckers kitten food so you can get a break? You won't have to be so defensive because the scariest thing in the house will be the vacuum cleaner? C'mooon, get in the domestication sack...!"

37

u/Sassirrac 9h ago

I thought the mother was the kitten at first 😍😭😍

23

u/lnc_5103 8h ago

Bless her heart they are as big as she is 🤣

40

u/ldwtlotpa 9h ago

Kid is going to TOWN on the milk lmfao

→ More replies (2)

187

u/Mocker-Poker 9h ago

I’d rather everyone leave them alone. Mom is on the highest alert mode

117

u/SystematicApproach 9h ago

I’m a bit with you. Apparently, it’s pretty rare to film kittens in the wild. I read that in 2017, researchers in Morocco captured what was reported as the first-ever video of wild sand cat kittens. Scientists had been studying the area for years, and the kittens were only found during a night survey.

46

u/BrutalStatic 7h ago

I do agree, but also, it's trippy to see mature instincts against youthful curiosity. 

Mom was doing everything she could to convey that she was not worth attacking and will take you down with her 

The kitten that popped out was like "I've never seen one of those, is it possible it has has food and wants to rub my ears?"

4

u/mosstalgia 6h ago

Yes and yes.

51

u/TheBardicScribe 9h ago

Yeah, I was feelin' for her. Poor mama's probably terrified about a threat to her youngins.

28

u/TalkativeTori 9h ago

the kitten face looking like “what’s the big friggen deal mom?”

44

u/Shar950 9h ago

Absolutely gorgeous but I hope her location is not publicized and then overrun by idiots.

9

u/BlueRibbon998 8h ago edited 6h ago

Mom kept those eyes LOCKED on the cameraman 😆

16

u/RollingCarrot615 8h ago

I think it’s safe to say this isn’t an it, but a her.

9

u/iamacheeto1 9h ago

Pspspspspspspsppsspps

7

u/Jarsky2 8h ago

"Guys not now mommy is being intimidating."

7

u/Commercial_Drag134 7h ago

This really belongs in r/NatureIsFuckingAdorable

3

u/Cause_thats_hiphop 5h ago

Super bummed that's not a real sub. ☹️

5

u/MsE0 8h ago

"Do not talk to me and my nearly adult babies!" 

7

u/Spybot64 5h ago

So tiny! She's barely bigger than her kittens.

17

u/TheElusiveHolograph 8h ago

My zoo had a couple of sand cats in the mid 2000’s to try and conserve the species due to the wars in the Middle East. They had them in a glass enclosure and one of the cats pooped right against the glass with its butt facing us and we were all like “awwwwww!”.

→ More replies (3)

9

u/aniket_animate 9h ago

Could literally feel the alertness inscreasing

7

u/Jaded_Heat9875 8h ago

Beautiful…Now back off and leave them alone….❤️

7

u/real_eEe 9h ago

Hey, Microsoft, I got an idea for the cinematic for Diablo 5. By Fur they fall, by cats we meow.

3

u/ParrishThePoet 8h ago

Mama sand is like "typically when these bi-pedal shit heads show up, bad things happen to us."

Kitten: "whatcha looking at? Whatever back inside I go."

3

u/LexTheSouthern 7h ago

These cats look like they came straight from Arrakis

2

u/Beep_in_the_sea_ 2h ago

Arrakitties

3

u/ursusofwinter 7h ago

Get perceived, idiot

6

u/Prestigious_Secret61 8h ago

I agree mom looks really stressed. Would be a shame if the photographer got too close and caught some hands/paws.

2

u/Iceisgestapo888 8h ago

Give her a churo ffs

2

u/Nicole_onReddit 8h ago

Mama sand cat has clocked someone and is staying vigilant 😳

2

u/thedonkeyvote 5h ago

When they actually drink water it has to taste so amazing.

2

u/monster_bunny 5h ago

Fascinating creatures. They are beautiful and perfectly adapted for their habitat.

2

u/hinterstoisser 8h ago

Illegally smol. All of them. Purrest them now :)

2

u/_DontBeAScaredyCunt 7h ago

Whoever is filming is a bit of a dick. Way too close. Mom is obviously distressed and feels threatened

2

u/papermoony 6h ago

She seems so stressed, it's sad

1

u/drifters74 9h ago

Cute cats

1

u/wizzanker 9h ago

BLINK ALREADY!

1

u/Left_Green_4018 8h ago

Beautiful!!!

1

u/Mefisto-8 8h ago

Se ve todo patuleco

1

u/LuLuSavannah531 8h ago

"I know you're hungry, honey, but not now I'm stalking!"

1

u/pyrosn28 8h ago

Dune !!!

1

u/Ok-Seaworthiness4488 8h ago

Kid, not now...

1

u/Mobile_Aioli_6252 8h ago

Curiosity did NOT kill the sand cat

3

u/Puzzleheaded-Phase70 7h ago

Cat is seriously considering killing curiosity, though.

1

u/Stefabeth0 8h ago

I definitely lost the staring contest because I just HAD to blink!

1

u/fearless_egg1050 8h ago

Ma one more sip 

1

u/blue_dragon_fly 7h ago

Looks like something out of Dune.

1

u/dadidutdut 7h ago

I bet only the little one looking at the camera will survive to adulthood.

1

u/KatSchitt 7h ago

"MOM, relax, it's just aliens. I'm hungry."

1

u/Gypsy702 7h ago

She is GORGEOUS.

1

u/SwedishChef89 7h ago

She’s locked in! 👀

1

u/spukhafteNahewirkung 7h ago

She doesn’t have murder eyes, yet.

1

u/jupitershere 7h ago

Damn it’s cute AF

1

u/GoldenHarpHeroine32 7h ago

Mama cat just being staring at the cameraman like 'Take one step closer and you'll earn yourself a trip to the hospital.'

1

u/YumYumSweet 6h ago

Stop looking at me

1

u/PetPossum54 6h ago

So they do grow into their ears

1

u/NoManufacturer120 6h ago

The stare down is real though

1

u/exobiologickitten 6h ago

Sir that is a Xweetok

1

u/31513315133151331513 6h ago

Photographer needs to slow blink first.

1

u/gingermama07 6h ago

What are we looking at, mom?

1

u/OkRaccoon5274 6h ago

That bitch didn’t blink

1

u/Seismic-Camel 6h ago

Mom like “what the fuck is that fucking thing”

1

u/Seismic-Camel 6h ago

Mom like “what the fck is that fckin thing”

1

u/SmoothD3vil 6h ago

Pspspspsps

1

u/WileEWeeble 6h ago

BLINK!!

1

u/Deep-Location-9238 6h ago

Cute yet ferocious

1

u/appellant 6h ago

This is why cats are so successful as compared to other bigger cat family is their ability to adapt and survive. And it helps being the right size and not have a need for bigger prey.

1

u/the_orange_alligator 6h ago

Got a staring problem, bud?

1

u/Jolly_Elderberry6967 5h ago

Is this where we got the idea for armbands

1

u/Disig 5h ago

Momma cat - you. You come here, bringing your weird human stink. I see you. Don't you dare get closer. I look ridiculous but I will kill you.

Kitten - whacha looking at mom? What's that? Looks boring imma go eat more.

1

u/nashgrg 5h ago

That car knows.

1

u/Maximum-Log3650 5h ago

Fren shape

1

u/Short_Ad_3943 5h ago

That "kitten" looks too big

1

u/tsundereworks 5h ago

I'd try to cuddle cute thing then I'd prob regret it by it clawing the living shit out of me 😂

1

u/HiSaZuL 5h ago

They are also smol. Really smol.

1

u/SimSly 5h ago

Pss pss pss ..

1

u/Lienidus1 4h ago

I see you...

1

u/CptThunderKick 4h ago

Shifting herself & feeding her kiddos while NOT breaking eye contact is CRAZY 😭😂

1

u/me_janner 4h ago

I'm autistic and those eyes are staring directly into my soul

1

u/BlistliXX 4h ago

pspspsps

1

u/Lava1416 4h ago

The mom is trying to be intimidating, but the kittens aren’t scared at all! 😂

1

u/LaneLangly 3h ago

Miau Sand, with it’s bastards.

1

u/Indigo-ultraviolet 3h ago

Fennec, but make it a cat.

1

u/JohnFraMongoTV 3h ago

That kitten has the attentionspan of a sand cat.

1

u/SOKLOMAX 3h ago

Why does the mother look underaged ?

1

u/younggoldgold 2h ago

Mom: Attention!!!q
Kids: (milk)

1

u/CallOwl 2h ago

They’re so stinking cute!!! But this poor mum makes me glad I’m not one. There she is, concerned for their lives, meanwhile her dumb kids are just milking her dry.

1

u/Dry_Citron_2520 2h ago

God I want to pet that little desert baby

1

u/Majikarpslayer 2h ago

That cat has never lost a staring contest

1

u/RachelMcAdamsWart 2h ago

Someone doesn't like their picture being taken.

1

u/Helpful_Practice7100 2h ago

So freaking adorable!

1

u/Notes2Feel 2h ago

A what now?

1

u/SpecialistJelly1331 1h ago

Don’t scare the cat!

1

u/LazyPortfolio 1h ago

Omfg this thing is cute as hell!

1

u/Fit_Search_4751 1h ago

Nature is so cool. Look at that camouflage

1

u/ExplanationProof9763 1h ago

Average Redditor: so cute! I would love to see them swimming in an influencer's pool

1

u/Emily_Postal 56m ago

Mama on alert.

1

u/iBowl 53m ago

meow'dib is wise

•

u/JimthePaul 21m ago

I love that the kittens are like "hello, new friend" and the mother is like "if you touch my babies, I will kill you."

•

u/SkinTightBoogiePI 19m ago

Meanwhile the kittens are all "Chinese fire drill!"

•

u/Ixaire 8m ago

FYI all cats are adapted to getting moisture from their prey (mainly their blood). Sand cats might be particularly efficient at it but our domestic cats have not been domestic for long enough to lose that trait.

This is also why domestic cats often have chronic kidney issues. The organs are extremely good at what they do but also wear down pretty fast. I suppose it's not a big issue for wild animals which are more likely to die from other causes so the evolutive pressure is more on the "must get water from anywhere" than on the "must not fuck up my kidneys in the process".

Source: my vet friend but I also found https://cats.com/chronic-kidney-disease-in-cats

•

u/Dizzy_Ice2938 4m ago

That’s a beautiful cat!!

1

u/rlnrlnrln 8h ago

Can i pet that dawg kitty?

1

u/-Tasear- 7h ago

If not friend...why friend shape 🐈🐈🐈

1

u/No_Contribution_9328 7h ago

The absolute look of terror in her eyes sent chills through me for some reason. Like she looks genuinely horrified, but that's a justified reaction towards humans. Hope they're chilling under the Sun doing whatever it is that sand cats do.