Pallas's cat

Felis manul was the scientific name used by Peter Simon Pallas in 1776, who first described a Pallas's cat that he had encountered by the Dzhida River southeast of Lake Baikal.[3][4][5] Several Pallas's cat zoological specimens were subsequently described:

• Felis nigripectus proposed by Brian Houghton Hodgson in 1842 was based on three specimens from Tibet.[6]
• Otocolobus manul ferrugineus proposed by Sergey Ognev in 1928 was an erythristic specimen from the Kopet Dag mountains.[7]

Otocolobus was proposed by Johann Friedrich von Brandt in 1842 as a generic name.[8][9] Reginald Innes Pocock recognized the taxonomic rank of Otocolobus in 1907, described several Pallas's cat skulls in detail and considered the Pallas's cat an aberrant form of Felis.[10]

In 1951, John Ellerman and Terence Morrison-Scott considered

• the nominate subspecies Felis manul manul to be distributed from Russian Turkestan to Transbaikalia;[5]
• F. m. nigripecta to be distributed in Tibet and Kashmir;[5]
• F. m. ferruginea occurring from southwestern Turkestan and the Kopet Dag mountains to Afghanistan and Balochistan.[5]

Since 2017, the Cat Classification Task Force of the Cat Specialist Group recognises only two subspecies as valid taxa, namely:[2]

• O. m. manul syn. O. m. ferrugineus in the western and northern part of Central Asia from Iran to Mongolia;
• O. m. nigripectus in the Himalayas from Kashmir to Bhutan.

Pallas's cat in Edinburgh Zoo

Pallas's cat in Howletts Wild Animal Park

The Pallas's cat's fur is light grey with pale yellowish-ochre or pale yellowish-reddish hues. Its forehead and top of the head is light grey with small black spots. It has two black zigzag lines on the cheeks running from the corner of the eyes to the jaw joints, and five to seven dark transversal lines across the lower back.[6] Some hair tips are white and some blackish. Its chin, whiskers, lower and upper lips are white. The underfur is 40 mm (1.6 in) long and 19 μm (0.00075 in) thick, and the guard hairs up to 69 mm (2.7 in) long and 93 μm (0.0037 in) thick on the back. Its fur is soft and dense with up to 9,000 hairs per cm² (58,000/in²).[14] Its eyes are encircled by white. Its iris is yellowish, and its pupils contract to small circular slits in sunlight. Its ears are grey with a yellowish tinge on the back and a darker rim, but with whitish hair in front and in the ear pinnae. Its rounded ears are set low on the side, so that it can peer over an object and show only a relatively small part of the head above the eyes without depressing the ears. This gives its face a look of ferocity and unrest.[10] It has narrow black stripes on the back, and its grey tail has seven narrow black rings and a black tip. Its fur is greyer and denser with less markings visible in winter than in the summer.[14] Its body is stout, and its legs are short with sharp retractile claws. Its skull is rounded with a short nasal bone, an enlarged cranial part and rounded zygomatic arches. Its orbits are large and directed forward.[15] The skull of males is 87.2–95.1 mm (3.43–3.74 in) long and 66–74 mm (2.6–2.9 in) wide at the base; females have a 84.1–96.3 mm (3.31–3.79 in) long and 64.7–68.1 mm (2.55–2.68 in) wide skull.[14] The lower carnassial teeth are powerful, and the upper carnassials are short and massive. The first pair of upper premolars is absent. The dental formula is 3.1.2.13.1.2.1 × 2 = 28.[15] It has a bite force quotient at the canine tip of 113.8.[16]

Its claws are unusually short. Its stocky posture with its long and dense fur make it appear stout and plush.[17] The Pallas's cat is about the size of a domestic cat (Felis catus).[6] Its head-to-body is 46 to 65 cm (1 ft 6 in to 2 ft 2 in) long with a 21 to 31 cm (8.3 in to 1 ft 0.2 in) long tail. It weighs 2.5 to 4.5 kg (5.5 to 9.9 lb).[17]

The Pallas's cat is endemic to the montane shrublands and grasslands in Central Asia. Its range extends from the Caucasus eastward to Mongolia and adjacent parts of Dzungaria and the Tibetan Plateau. It inhabits rocky outcrops, scree slopes and ravines in areas, where the continuous snow cover is below 15–20 cm (5.9–7.9 in).[14] In the southwestern parts of its range, the habitat of the Pallas's cat is affected by cold and dry winters, and moderate to low rainfall in warm summers.[18] The typical vegetation in this part consists of small shrubs, sagebrush (Artemisia), Festuca and Stipa grasses.[14] In the central part of its range, it inhabits hilly landscapes, high plateaus and intermontane valleys that are covered by dry steppe or semi-desert vegetation such as low shrubs and xerophytic grasses.[19] The continental climate in this region exhibits a wide range of air temperatures from −50 °C (−58 °F) in winter soaring to 80 °C (176 °F) in summer.[14]

The Greater Caucasus region is considered climatically suitable for the Pallas's cat.[18] In Armenia, an individual was killed near Vedi in the mountains of the Ararat Province in the late 1920s.[15] In January 2020, an individual was sighted about 140 km (87 mi) farther north in the Tavush Province; the habitat at this location transitions from semi-desert to montane steppe at an elevation of about 570 m (1,870 ft).[20] Records in Azerbaijan are limited to a Pallas's cat skin found in Karabakh and a sighting of an individual in Julfa District, both in the late 20th century.[21]

The Pallas's cat inhabits rocky slopes in the Koh-i-Baba Range of the Hindu Kush.

On the Iranian Plateau, two Pallas's cats were encountered near the Aras River in northwestern Iran before the 1970s.[14] In this area, an individual was captured at an elevation of about 1,500 m (4,900 ft) near Azarshahr in East Azerbaijan Province in 2008.[21] In the same year, a camera trap recorded a Pallas's cat on the southern slopes of the central Alborz Mountains in Khojir National Park shortly after heavy snowfall.[22] Farther east in the Alborz Mountains, an individual was recorded among rocks at an elevation of 2,441 m (8,009 ft) in 2016.[23] In the Aladagh and Kopet Dag Mountains, the Pallas's cat was recorded inside and in the vicinity of protected areas.[24] In the south of the Zagros Mountains, an individual was caught in a corral used by transhumant pastoralists in Abadeh County in 2012. The surrounding area consists of rocky steppe habitat dominated by mountain almond Prunus scoparia, Astragalus and Artemisia.[25] In the Hindu Kush, a Pallas's cat was observed sunbathing at the fringe of a rocky high-elevation plain near Dasht-e Nawar in Afghanistan’s Koh-i-Baba range in April 2007.[26] The Pallas's cat was also photographed multiple times in Bamyan Province between 2015 and 2017.[18] In Gilgit-Baltistan, an individual was recorded on a ridge in a juniper dominated forest at 3,445 m (11,302 ft) in Pakistan's Qurumber National Park in July 2012.[27]

In the Transcaspian Region, its presence was first reported in the Kopet Dag mountains and in the vicinity of the Tedzhen and Murghab Rivers in the late 19th century.[28] In Turkmenistan’s Sünt-Hasardag Nature Reserve, a camera trap recorded an individual in 2019. The Pallas's cat is allegedly also present in Köpetdag Nature Reserve.[29]

Historical records of the Pallas's cat are known in the Surxondaryo Region and Gissar Range along the border of Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.[14] In Kyrgyzstan, it is present at high elevations of Sarychat-Ertash State Nature Reserve and in the foothills of the Alay Range.[19] In 2013, a dead female was found in a valley near Engilchek, Kyrgyzstan.[30] In Kazakhstan, it inhabits the highlands and steppes of central and east Kazakhstan Region, the periphery of the Betpak-Dala Desert, the northern Balkhash District and the Tarbagatai Mountains.[19]

The species inhabits grassland on the Ukuk Plateau.

In the South Siberian Mountains, it inhabits grasslands on the Ukok Plateau and in the Altai, Kuray and Saylyugem Mountains.[31] It is also present in Chagan-Uzun and Argut river basins, Mongun-Taiga, Uvs Lake Basin, Sayano-Shushenski Nature Reserve, Tunkinsky National Park, Lake Gusinoye basin and in the interfluves of the Selenga, Chikoy and Khilok rivers.[32] In the eastern Sayan Mountains, its presence was documented for the first time in 1997.[33] In Transbaikal, it inhabits montane steppes at elevations of 600–800 m (2,000–2,600 ft), where annual rainfall ranges from 150 to 400 mm (5.9 to 15.7 in).[34] In 2013, an individual was observed on the Vitim Plateau.[35]

The Pallas's cat inhabits the semi-desert steppe of Ikh Nartiin Chuluu Nature Reserve in Mongolia.[36] In Khustain Nuruu National Park, it prefers rocky habitat that provides cover and camouflage.[37] On the Tibetan plateau, two Pallas's cats were observed in undulating alpine meadow amidst plateau pika (Ochotona curzoniae) colonies at 4,087 m (13,409 ft) in western China’s Qumarlêb County in 2001. One of them swam across an irrigation channel.[38] In Gêrzê County, an individual was sighted in desert steppe habitat at an elevation of 5,050 m (16,570 ft) in 2005.[39] In 2011, the Pallas's cat was photographed in an alpine meadow in the core area of Sanjiangyuan National Nature Reserve.[40] In Ruoergai, it was observed at several places in habitat that was frequented by pastoralists and their livestock herds.[41][42]

The Pallas's cat occurs in alpine pastures of the upper Marshyangdi river valley, central Himalayas.

The presence of the Pallas's cat in the Himalayas was first reported in Ladakh’s Indus valley in 1991.[43] In Changthang Wildlife Sanctuary, Pallas's cats were sighted close by riverbanks at elevations of 4,202 and 4,160 m (13,786 and 13,648 ft) in 2013 and 2015.[44] In Gangotri National Park, a Pallas's cat was photographed in a Transhimalayan habitat of rocky alpine scrub at 4,800 m (15,700 ft) in 2019.[45] In Sikkim, an individual was observed on a rocky slope at an elevation of 5,073 m (16,644 ft) in the vicinity of Tso Lhamo Lake in 2007.[46] In December 2012, the Pallas's cat was recorded for the first time in the Nepal Himalayas. It was photographed in the upper Marshyangdi river valley in alpine pastures at elevations of 4,200 m (13,800 ft) and 4,650 m (15,260 ft) in Annapurna Conservation Area.[47] In Shey-Phoksundo National Park, Pallas's cat scat was detected at 5,593 m (18,350 ft) in 2016, the globally highest record to date.[48] In January 2012, it was recorded for the first time in Bhutan, namely in rolling hills dominated by glacial outwash and alpine steppe vegetation in Wangchuck Centennial Park.[49] In autumn 2012, it was also photographed at an elevation of 4,122 m (13,524 ft) in Jigme Dorji National Park.[50]

The Pallas's cat is solitary.[14] Of nine Pallas's cat kittens observed in captivity, only the two male ones scent marked by spraying urine.[51]

The Pallas's cat uses caves, rock crevices and marmot burrows as shelter.[14] In central Mongolia, 29 Pallas's cat were fitted with radio collars between June 2005 and October 2007. They used 101 dens during this time, including 39 winter dens, 42 summer dens and 20 dens for raising kittens. The summer and winter dens usually had one entrance with a diameter of 15.6 to 23.4 cm (6.1 to 9.2 in). They resided in the summer dens for 2–21 days, and in the winter dens for 2–28 days. Summer and maternal dens were close to rocky habitats with little direct sunlight, whereas winter dens were closer to ravines.[52] The home ranges of 16 females varied from 7.4 to 125.2 km² (2.9 to 48.3 sq mi). The home ranges of nine males varied from 20.9 to 207.0 km² (8.1 to 79.9 sq mi) and overlapped those of one to four females and partly also those of other males. The sizes of their home ranges decreased in winter.[37]

Life cycle

Pallas's cat kittens in Parken Zoo

The female is sexually mature at the age of about one year.[54] She is in estrus for 26 to 42 hours.[55] Her gestation lasts 66[54] to 75 days.[55]

A captive male Pallas's cat housed under natural lighting conditions showed increased aggressive and territorial behaviour at the onset of the breeding season lasting from September to December. Its blood contained three times more testosterone than in the non-breeding season, and its ejaculate was more concentrated with more normal sperm forms and a higher motility of sperms.[56]

In the wild, the female gives birth to a litter of two to six kittens between end of April and late May. The newborn kittens’ fur is fuzzy, and their eyes are closed until the age of about two weeks.[14] A newborn male kitten born in a zoo weighed 89 g (3.1 oz), measured 12.3 cm (4.8 in) and had a 5.5 cm (2.2 in) long tail.[54]

In central Mongolia, seven females with kittens were observed using 20 dens for 4–60 days. Their maternal dens were either among rocks or in former burrows of the Tarbagan marmot (Marmota sibirica) and had at least two entrances.[52] In Iran, a Pallas's cat was observed using cavities of aged Greek juniper (Juniperus excelsa) as breeding dens for a litter of four kittens.[57]

Two-months old kittens weigh 500–600 g (18–21 oz), and their fur gradually grows longer. They start hunting at the age of about five months and reach adult size by the age of six to seven months.[14]

In China, Mongolia and Russia, the Pallas's cat used to be hunted for its fur in large numbers of more than 10,000 skins annually. In China and the former Soviet Union, hunting of the Pallas's cat decreased in the 1970s when it became legally protected. Mongolia exported 9,185 skins in 1987, but international trade has ceased since 1988.[58] However, domestic trade of its skins and body parts for medicinal purposes continues in the country, and it may be hunted throughout the year.[59]

Cases of herding dogs killing Pallas's cats were reported in Iran, Kazakhstan and the Altai Republic.[24][31][19] Pallas's cats have also fallen victim in traps set for small mammals in Kazakhstan and in the Altai Republic. In Transbaikal, the Pallas's cat is threatened by poaching. In Mongolia, the use of the rodenticide bromadiolone in the frame of rodent control measures in the early 21st century poisoned the prey base of carnivores and raptors.[19] In the Sanjiangyuan region of the Tibetan Plateau, 54,147 km² (20,906 sq mi) of grassland was poisoned between 2005 and 2009, leading to an estimated loss of 50,000–80,000 t (49,000–79,000 long tons; 55,000–88,000 short tons) of pika biomass.[60] The Pallas's cat may be negatively affected by habitat fragmentation due to mining and infrastructure projects.[1]

On the IUCN Red List, the Pallas's cat is classified as Least Concern since 2020 because of its wide-spread range and assumed large global population. It is listed in CITES Appendix II. Hunting it is prohibited in all range countries except Mongolia. Since 2009, it is legally protected in Afghanistan, where all hunting and trade with its body parts is banned.[1] On the Mongolian Red List of Mammals, it is listed as Near Threatened since 2006.[59] In China, it is listed as Endangered.[61] In Turkmenistan, it is proposed to be listed as Critically Endangered due to the scarcity of contemporary records.[62]

Manul is the Pallas's cat's name in the Kyrgyz language. In the Mongolian language, it is called 'manol'.[4] The name 'Pallas's cat' was coined by William Thomas Blanford.[68] The alternate spelling 'Pallas' cat' is also used.[56]

The Pallas's cat is featured in a Russian Internet meme known as "Pet the cat" introduced in 2008. It is typically an image macro with a picture of an unfriendly and stern-looking Pallas's cat accompanied by a caption in which the cat invites you to pet it.[69][70][71][72] In 2012, the Pallas's cat overwhelmingly won an online vote to decide the Moscow Zoo mascot.[73]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Pallas's cat.

Wikispecies has information related to Pallas's cat.

• "Pallas's cat Otocolobus manul". IUCN/SSC Cat Specialist Group.
• "Pallas' Cat Working Group".
• "Pallas' Cat Study and Conservation Program".
• Pallas Cat Mongolia (Video). Royal Zoological Society of Scotland. 2015.