Old North News

Sand cats at the North Carolina Zoo have a new habitat that’s closer to what they’d encounter in nature, and their new digs are drawing rave reviews from visitors.

“I heard a bunch of 'oohs' and 'ahhs' as the kids were looking at them, so it's pretty neat,” visitor Kevin Campbell told ABC 45 News. 

The new habitat allows visitors to see the animals act more like they would in the wild. The ability to walk on hot sand with insulated furry paws is one of the adaptations the animals have developed over time.

“I like how they have paws that make them good climbers,” zoo visitor Nadia Campbell said, according to ABC 45 News.

Some visitors didn't realize the sand cats existed a few months ago. The desert keeper at the the new enclosure, Eric Mahan, has acquainted more people with the species.

“There's been a number of folks that have been regulars here that didn't even know that they were here, even though they've been here for a number of years now,” Mahan told ABC 45 News.

The sand cats lived in the nocturnal section of the dome for years, until they were moved to the sunny side of the enclosure where the guests can see them better.

“It's great visual enrichment, definitely. When they first got put in, they stalked a couple birds in their habitat, but luckily all birds and cats are safe,” Mahan added. 

The creatures still have the ability to get away out of the limelight, just like other animals in the climate-controlled desert dome.

“All animals here, especially in the North Carolina Zoo, always have the opportunity to get away from people, whether they are noisy or are a little disruptive,” Mahan told ABC 45 News.

The vacant space the sand cats left behind will be occupied by another animal that will be announced on the zoo's social media profiles, as the sand cats are expected to stay in their new enclosure for the foreseeable future.

The North Carolina Zoo in Asheboro houses 1,800 animals of more than 250 species, primarily representing Africa and North America.