'I want one': Rare sand cat kitten spotted in the Moroccan desert gains attention online, instantly gets meme-d

Mariel Ruvinsky • Writer and Editor

Sep 30, 2026 4:45 PM EDT

Yes, here is another wild cat that you are going to want 10 of.

Ever since last week - when a new cat species was discovered for the first time in 100 years - the internet has been flooded with people celebrating and talking about rare and unique wild cats. And we could not be happier. We have been raving about these cats for years! They are adorable. They are beautiful. And they are so, so underrated in the cat world.

Everything is all about house cats and big cats, and everyone forgets that there are a whole lot more cool cats in the middle. Well, not anymore. Finally, the internet is paying attention. Finally, the internet is showing appreciation to these cats. And among the cats who are getting the most attention right meow is the stunning sand cat.

All over the internet, images of these cute sand cats have been going viral, so it only felt right to give them a special meowment on ICHC as well. And when Rémi Vaucher captured these images of a rare sand kitten in Morocco, we knew what we were going to be covering. Everyone, meet the sand cat, and get ready to fall in love.

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"A rare sand cat kitten was spotted in Morocco’s desert."

via Subject-Property-343 / Rémi Vaucher
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via Subject-Property-343 / Rémi Vaucher
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via Subject-Property-343 / Rémi Vaucher
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via Subject-Property-343 / Rémi Vaucher
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via Schmooto
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via kispikaydu
Truly, we don't understand. Why would Mother Nature make a cat that is friend-shaped and bay-sized and not allow us to have one in our homes? Unacceptable.
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via ScowlyBrowSpinster
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via Rubysage3
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via AsusStrixUser
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via Inconspicuous_Jay
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via Gradience711
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via TheBigChungus1980
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via Brief-Tie8028
And since we know you now want to see some more pictures of these cuties, here, we have put together a couple more of our favorite pictures of them.
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via Canva / Aflo Images

Adorable sand kitten with large ears looking directly into the camera.
_{Stock photography for depiction only.}
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via Canva / Aflo Images

Cute sand kitten sitting perched.
_{Scene shown is a visual representation.}
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via Canva / yairleibo

Sand cat with giant ears and green eyes peeking from behind a corner.
_{Image for illustrative purposes.}
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via Canva / Thomas Faull

Fierce sand cat sitting on a tree branch.
_{Recreated scenario included to enhance reader understanding.}
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via Canva / Aflo Images

Sand cat kitten walking on a stony path.
_{Model representation.}