Felis catus var. pulvis magnus

Felis catus, var. pulvis magnus were bred by Bedouins for their ability to gather sand in their fur. The electrostatic charge of the fine hair of the species is reversible at the will of the animal. The Bedouins observed this behavior and found use for the trait. Once their domesticated cats had rolled and gathered much sand in their fur, the bedouins herded them to their camp site where the trained cats changed the polarity of their fur on command depositing piles of sand which the bedouins used for perimeter berms to protect their tent stands. So ingrained in this species is this trait that no matter where they are they will seek sand to roll in, gather and deposit it in their human companion's domicile.

In this rare photo of their nocturnal activity are a pair of large male pulvis magnus owned by the photographer. At the top of the image, the one known as Mogwy Mirliton Gagootz practices an unusual reverse head twist termed "shadow of Allah's industry" which attracts the larger grains. Whereas Siddhartha Rabelais Williams at the bottom does the more common "Saharian" roll to gather minute particles which will then become airborne when he arrives at the "campsite". Floating dust was used as a camouflage by the Bedouins. Both pulvis magnus will now dash upstairs, leap - even with the extreme weight of the sand gathered in their fur - on to my bed and release it intentionally after they have crawled under the sheets just before their nap. Such good kitties!