Pallas’ Cat

Summary

The Pallas’ cat is a solitary creature that makes its home in the chilly, arid grasslands of Central Asia. Although it is no bigger than a domestic cat, its remarkably thick and dense fur coat makes it appear larger than it actually is. The cat’s compact body, short legs, and low, rounded ears help it appear flat and blend seamlessly with its surroundings while hunting.

Incredible Pallas’ Cat Facts

• Pallas’ cats have the densest fur coats of any wild cat on Earth. This amazing adaptation allows them to survive in extreme temperatures as low as -50 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Unlike most other felines, Pallas’ cats have round, circular pupils.
• A Pallas’ cat’s fur color changes with the seasons and provides excellent camouflage year-round. In the winter, the cat sports shades of gray and silver, which then transition to reddish-brown or tan during the summer.

Evolution and History

The Pallas’ cat is considered one of the oldest existing cat species on Earth today, with an evolutionary history stretching back 10 million years. Scientists believe it diverged from a common ancestor with the leopard cat somewhere between five and six million years ago. Today, the Pallas’ cat is the sole member of its scientific genus, Otocolobus.

Scientific Name

The scientific name for the Pallas’ cat, Otocolobus manul, has an interesting origin. Its genus name, Otocolobus, comes from two Greek words: “otos,” which means “ear,” and “kolobus,” which can mean “docked” or “stunted.” This refers to the animal’s distinctive ears, which are short and set wide apart, unlike the more typical triangular or pointed ears of other cat species.

The species name, manul, is a Mongolian term that simply means “wild cat.” Thus, the full scientific name, Otocolobus manul, translates to “stumpy-eared wild cat,” a fitting description for the Pallas’ cat. The common name, “Pallas’ cat,” honors Peter Simon Pallas. He was a Prussian naturalist and explorer who was the first to scientifically describe the species in 1776.

Appearance

The Pallas’ cat is one of the world’s most ancient cat species and has a distinctive and unique appearance. Its body is short and compact, designed to conserve heat, with sturdy, short legs, a muscular build, a flattened face, and flat ears. These cats typically measure between 19.5 and 25.5 inches in length and weigh 5 to 9 pounds. Their tails are usually 8.25 to 12 inches long.

Beyond their exceptionally dense fur — one of the thickest of any cat on Earth — Pallas’ cats also have a hefty layer of fat and strong muscles. These features provide supreme insulation against the harsh, bitter cold of their natural habitats, allowing them to endure temperatures as low as -50 degrees Fahrenheit. Their fluffy tails offer additional protection; they can wrap them around their small bodies and even stand on them to protect their sensitive paws from icy ground.

The cats’ physical attributes also contribute to their excellent camouflage. Their coats are usually tan, gray, or silvery, with faint stripes and black spots on their foreheads, which help them blend into their environment. Their rounded, flat ears are positioned along the sides of their heads, further aiding in concealment. When in open areas, Pallas’ cats can press their compact bodies flat against the ground. This, combined with their flattened ears, helps them seamlessly blend into their surroundings and hide from predators. With their exceptional insulation, they can remain motionless in the snow for extended periods.

Pallas’ cats have yellow eyes with round pupils, which are unusual among small wild cats. This adaptation may enhance their vision in low-light conditions. They also have a “third eyelid” or nictitating membrane, which helps protect their eyes from dust and cold.

Behavior

Pallas’ cats are solitary creatures, primarily active during dawn and dusk to avoid predators. During daylight hours, they hide in small caves, rocky crevices, or abandoned burrows. Their natural elusiveness, combined with their camouflage coloring and flat bodies, makes them adept at hiding. These cats are territorial, only coming together for mating. Males maintain large territories that may overlap with those of several females. Both sexes mark their boundaries with scent.

Given their compact bodies and short legs, Pallas’ cats are not fast runners. Instead, they rely on stealth and concealment, hiding near boulders or within small crevices. They can also flatten themselves against rocks and open plains, blending seamlessly with the ground and remaining motionless for hours if necessary. Their movements are typically slow and deliberate to maximize the effectiveness of their camouflage.

Pallas’ cats are ambush predators. They stalk their prey and often wait patiently at burrow entrances, pouncing once their target emerges. They also creep around vegetation and flush animals out from their hiding places. While generally quiet animals, Pallas’ cats do have a range of vocalizations, including hisses, purrs, growls, and yelps. They also communicate through a unique “lip quiver” that gives them a sneering appearance.

Habitat

Pallas’ cats inhabit the snowy steppes of Central Asia, specifically across its central, southern, eastern, and northern regions. They prefer desert or grassland environments that offer rocky outcroppings or dense vegetation for cover, and can be found at altitudes reaching up to 18,400 feet.

These elusive cats live in the following countries: Afghanistan, Iran, Pakistan, India, Bhutan, Mongolia, Russia, China, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Nepal. They might also live in Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.

The largest populations of these unique felines are found in Mongolia and Russia, with a substantial presence also in western China. Significant numbers also exist in Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan, while smaller groups are distributed across South Asia. While Pallas’ cats are present in Turkmenistan and possibly Azerbaijan, their populations in these countries are small and not well understood. Although built for cold climates, they generally avoid areas with continuous snow cover over 6 to 8 inches, as deeper snow makes it difficult to hunt and move around.

Diet and Predators

What Do Pallas’ Cats Eat?

Pallas’ cats are stealthy ambush hunters that mostly prey on small mammals like rabbits, hares, rodents, and especially pikas and voles. Occasionally, they will also hunt lizards, insects, and ground-dwelling birds. These cautious felines stay low to the ground and often use a technique called “periscoping” while hunting, in which they continually raise their heads to get a better view of their prey.

What Eats Pallas’ Cats?

Pallas’ cats are hunted by natural predators like eagles, foxes, wolves, and wild dogs. As human populations expand into their habitats, domestic and feral dogs are also becoming an increasing threat.

Threats to the Pallas’ Cat

Poisoning

Pikas and voles are the main food sources for Pallas’ cats. However, because humans consider these animals pests, they often poison them. This practice not only reduces the Pallas’ cat’s food supply but also directly poisons the cats that consume the contaminated rodents.

Poaching

Despite being illegal, the dense fur of Pallas’ cats makes them a popular target for poachers. Some also hunt these animals for use in traditional medicines.

Habitat Loss and Degradation

Perhaps the most significant threat to the Pallas’ cat is the loss and fragmentation of its habitat. This is largely due to the expansion of the livestock industry, increased mining and resource extraction, and infrastructure development in their native regions.

Reproduction, Babies, and Lifespan

Pallas’ cats have a seasonal breeding season from December to March, but females are only in estrus for 24 to 48 hours. During breeding season, males will mate with multiple females. After around 66 to 75 days of pregnancy, females give birth to a single litter each year. Litters can range from one to six kittens, although they typically have three to four.

The mother is the sole caregiver; her kittens are born blind and completely helpless, relying entirely on her for survival. She protects them in her den, teaching them essential survival skills and how to hunt. Kittens become independent at four to six months of age. They reach sexual maturity around 9 to 12 months old.

Because of their small size and slow speed, kittens are highly vulnerable to predators such as birds of prey, foxes, and domestic dogs. As a result, about two-thirds of all kittens do not survive to adulthood. In the wild, Pallas’ cats typically live for about eight to nine years. However, in captivity, their average lifespan is around 11 years.

Pallas’ Cat Population and Conservation Status

The Pallas’ cat is currently classified as “Least Concern” by the IUCN, but its wild population is shrinking, and it is threatened in many of its native regions.

Agriculture and mining industries pose significant threats to these wild cats and their habitats, mainly because they need large territories to thrive. Another major issue is that many cats die from eating poisoned pikas, which livestock herders put out to control what they see as pests. There’s also illegal hunting, even though it has been outlawed internationally since the 1980s.

It is difficult to get an exact count of Pallas’ cats in the wild because they are so secretive and spread out over a wide area. However, an assessment by the IUCN in 2019 estimated their population at around 58,000 individuals.

Pallas’ Cats in Zoos

As of 2018, there were 50 Pallas’ cats living in zoos across the United States and a total of 177 cats in zoos worldwide.

Here are some of the zoos where you can see a Pallas’ cat in person:

• Red River Zoo (Fargo, North Dakota) is currently home to three Pallas’ cats and is the only AZA zoo to have bred Pallas’ cats consistently and successfully.
• Smithsonian’s National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute (Washington, D.C.) is home to two Pallas’ cat sisters. They originally came from the Red River Zoo and arrived at the Smithsonian Zoo in 2020.
• Hogle Zoo (Salt Lake City, Utah) was previously home to one of the oldest Pallas’ cats in captivity, a 13-year-old male named Petenka.
• The Columbus Zoo (Powell, Ohio) is home to a Pallas’ cat breeding pair. In 2024, the parents produced a litter of two Pallas’ cat kittens.

Facts

Are Pallas’ cats carnivores, herbivores, or omnivores?

Pallas’ cats are obligate carnivores, which means they must consume meat to survive, as their bodies are not built to obtain the nutrients they need from plants. Their diet primarily consists of small mammals, especially pikas and voles, though they will occasionally hunt insects, birds, and lizards.

Can you have a Pallas’ cat as a pet?

No, you cannot keep a Pallas’ cat as a pet. It is illegal to own a Pallas’ cat, and attempting to do so would be harmful to both you and the animal. Despite their cute appearance, these cats are wild, undomesticated animals with aggressive tendencies. They are naturally solitary creatures and do not tolerate the presence of others, especially humans. Furthermore, their specific needs, stemming from their native cold, high-altitude habitats, are extremely difficult to meet in a domestic environment. Failing to provide for these needs would severely compromise their health and could even result in their death.

Are there any Pallas’ cats in the US?

Yes, as of 2018, there are around 50 Pallas’ cats in various zoos across the United States.

Why do Pallas’ cats look so grumpy?

Pallas’ cats often look perpetually grumpy, but this is not necessarily a reflection of their mood. Their unique facial structure contributes to this seemingly grouchy appearance: their faces are flatter and wider than those of other felines, with small foreheads. Additionally, their eyes are set higher on their faces, and their pupils are round rather than the typical slits found in other cats. These features combine to give them a distinctive “squashed” expression that can appear as if they are judging you, resulting in their characteristic grumpy look.