For Wildlife, Everywhere
Pallas’s Cat
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Hear the Pallas’s Cat
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Species profile
General information about the species, gathered from the sources listed at the end of the profile.
Otocolobus manul
The Pallas's cat is a small, very fluffy wild cat from the cold grasslands of Central Asia. It looks round and cuddly, but it is a tough little hunter.
Quick Facts
- Habitat
- Steppe, rocky hills and mountain grassland.
- Diet
- Mostly small rodents, plus birds and insects.
- Lifespan
- About 11 to 12 years in a zoo.
- Size
- Body 46 to 65 cm, tail 21 to 31 cm, and 2.5 to 4.5 kg.
- Conservation
- Least Concern
Amazing Facts
- Its ears are low on the sides of its head, which helps it hide behind small rocks.
- Its pupils are round, not slit shaped like most small cats.
- It was taken off the threatened list in 2020 because it is doing better than scientists feared.
Looking After Them
How threatened it is: Least Concern (checked in 2020). Numbers in the wild: decreasing.
The dangers they face
- Grasslands being damaged and fewer small animals to eat.
- Hunting and poisoning in some places.
How people are helping
- Zoos keep and study Pallas's cats as part of research into the species.
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