Pallas Cat

Pallas Cat

Otocolobus manul

Eats

They are carnivores and prey upon small rodents and birds. These cats are crepuscular hunters, meaning they hunt mostly during dawn and dusk.

Lives

Pallas Cats live in grassland plains without trees in Asia up to 13,000 feet in elevation

Behavior

Description

Their flat forehead and low ears allow them to peek over bushes and rocks without exposing themselves to their prey.

Also known as the manul

Instead of closing to a slit like other small cats, Pallas cat pupils close to form a small circle.

Pallas cats' long, dense fur protects them from frostbite and the cold temperatures they can encounter in the rocky deserts and the barren mountainous regions of Iran, southern Asia and western China.

Did you Know?

A thick coat of shaggy fur and a long, bushy tail help combat extreme temperatures that reach lows nearing -60ºF.

How can I Help?

Pallas Cats used to be hunted for their fur, but are now a legally protected species. They are regarded as beneficial to the environment now because they feed on agricultural pests, such as mice and rats. For AZA (Associate of Zoos and Aquariums) and within the SSP (Species Survival Plan) a plan is being put into place that will serve to maximize genetic variation within the captive population.

Least Concern
Least Concern
Near Threatened
Near Threatened
Vulnerable
Vulnerable
Endangered
Endangered
Critically Endangered
Critically Endangered
Extinct in the Wild
Extinct in the Wild
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