The Pallas’s cat, is a small wild cat that is similar in size to a domestic cat. It was first discovered by German naturalist Peter Simon Pallas in 1776.

There are two recognized subspecies of Pallas’s cat:

  • Otocolobus manul manul  (Central Asia)
  • Otocolobus manul nigripectus (the Himilayas)

 

The Pallas’s cat has long fur that helps keep the cat warm cold weather. It also ha a third eyelid which helps protect the cat against dust storms and cold winds.

Scientific Name: Otocolobus manul
Conservation Status: Near Threatened

Interesting Pallas’s Cat Facts

  • Extremely short legs
  • A third eyelid
  • Very short claws
  •  Flat looking face
  • Fewer teeth than most wild cats.

More About the Pallas’s Cat

Physical Appearance

The Pallas’s cat has a stocky appearance, due in part to its extremely thick fur but also because of the cat’s short legs, which are much shorter than other wild cats. The fur ranges in color from grey to  red-orange color, depending on the region.  There are dark bands on the central part of the cat’s body and back legs. The cat also has dark rings on its tail and spots on its forehead. Black stripes can be seen running from the corner of the cat’s eyes to its white cheeks. The underbelly of the cat is white.

portrait of a pallas's catTerritory

The Pallas’s cat lives in the treeless grasslands of Central Asia. You can find the cat at elevations between 16,000 and 17,000 ft., and across western China. The cat has also been seen in India, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Nepal, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Tajikistan, Afghanistan, Iran and Russia.

Hunting & Prey

The Pallas’s cat spends its days hidden in burrows, caves and the crevices of rocks. They prey on various rodents and the Chukar partridge (a member of the pheasant family), and will also eat spiders and insects. Because the cat doesn’t run very fast, it stalks and ambushes its prey.

Reproduction

The female is pregnant for 66 to 75 days. There are two to  six kittens in a litter. The litters are usually born during the months of April and May. The kittens will start to hunt at about four months of age. How long a Pallas’s cat lives in the wild is unknown. In captivity, they live up to 11 years.

Conservation

The cat’s declining population is the result of habitat loss, hunting and a reduction in prey. Hunting the cat is illegal in every country except Mongolia.