You don't need a time machine to find out what modern cats looked like millions of years ago. It is enough to look at the Pallas' cat - a wild steppe cat, which to this day has practically not changed in appearance and leads a lifestyle measured for centuries.
Who is manul
Pallas' cat is a relict representative of the feline genus, a wild and indomitable hermit with an unusual appearance. Thanks to its fluffy fur with an unusual color and the expression of the eyes, which have contained the universal wisdom, this beast has won the hearts of millions of people on our planet. The history of the manul goes back to ancient times. He appeared on earth about 12 million years ago and became the progenitor of some species of domestic cats.
Felinologists hypothesize that Persian and Angora cats are direct descendants of Pallas' cat.
This wild beast owes its name to the Turks. From the Turkic language "manul" is translated as "fast". Another name for Pallas cat is Pallas cat. He received it in honor of the naturalist Peter Simon Pallas, who discovered and introduced the elusive animal to the world. In the second half of the 18th century, at the behest of Empress Catherine II, the successful scientist set off on an expedition to the Caspian steppes, where he unexpectedly discovered a manul. Why the natural scientist did not like the Türkic name of the cat - history is silent, but he called it Otocolobus manul, which translates from Latin as “ugly ear”. The structure of the inner ear of a cat is really unusual in shape, but it would be a stretch to call it ugly.
Pallas' cat population
A wild cat leads a very withdrawn lifestyle. He is a master of conspiracy and, having sensed a person, can sit in ambush for hours, practically merging with the landscape. This did the manul a disservice. The exact number of the animal is very difficult to determine.
According to biologists, the number of animals at the beginning of this century ranged from 3 to 3.5 thousand.
In Russia, the Pallas' cat population is assessed as follows:
- Gorny Altai - 250–300 individuals;
- Buryatia - up to 70 individuals;
- Chita region - up to 2500.
Conservation status of the animal
Pallas' cat is listed in the Red Data Books of Russia, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, China and Mongolia, as well as in the IUCN Red List with the “close to threatened” status.
Reasons for the decline in the number of animals:
- poachers;
- being in the same range of dogs without a leash;
- the use of traps and traps for hunting fur-bearing animals;
- harsh climatic conditions and ice;
- weakening of the food base;
- larger predators;
- food competitors:
- foxes;
- wolverines;
- martens;
- golden eagles;
- steppe eagles;
- owls.
- various infectious diseases.
Human rights organizations have developed a program: "Study, preservation and reproduction of the manul". During the 10-year program, zoologists plan to breed the cat population under artificial conditions. Pallas' cat is a symbol of the Moscow Zoo.
Table: classification of the wild manul cat
Description of the breed
Pallas' cat is the smallest of all wild cats. The size of the animal is no larger than that of an ordinary cat.
The appearance of a wild cat
Distinctive features:
- body length - 52–65 cm;
- weight - 2–5 kg;
- thick tail long - 23–31 cm;
- a small, slightly flattened head in the middle;
- bulging eyes of yellow-green color with developed blinking membranes and round pupils, uncharacteristic of the feline family;
- very thick wool up to 7 cm in length;
- short massive paws with long retractable claws;
- widely spaced small, rounded ears;
- gray or sandy brown fur color;
- the underside of the body is brown with white tips;
- bleached ear tips;
- two black stripes on the muzzle extending down from the eyes;
- dark blotches on the forehead;
- cheek pots.
Due to its overly fluffy vegetation, the Pallas' cat looks rather large. Zoologists claim that every square centimeter of a wild cat contains up to 9 thousand hairs. In the mountains, at an altitude of 4–5 thousand meters, a thick fur coat serves as a heating pad. Thanks to this incredibly fluffy and warm garment, Pallas' cat feels quite comfortable even at -50 °. Pallas cat's wool contains up to 9000 hairs per square centimeter
Additional brutality to a wild cat is given by short powerful legs and a thick tail with several transverse stripes. We can say about this fluffy handsome man that he stands firmly on his feet. The tail is thick, of medium length, with dark rings at the end. The head is rather small in relation to the body and is slightly flattened in the middle. Small, wide-set, rounded ears adorn the head of the fluffy touch-me-not. A characteristic difference is the two camouflage stripes that run from the eyes to the neck. Such stripes are usually drawn by commandos trying to blend in with the environment. The main feature of a wild cat is its eyes. Yellow, with a green tint, they have round pupils, and even in bright light they do not taper like in ordinary felines. The cat's eyes are equipped with blinking membranes that protect the visual organ from drying out. Tufts of hair like sideburns are also a characteristic feature of the manul's appearance. The pallas cat, unlike ordinary cats, has not 30, but 28 teeth. The canines are very long and rather sharp. 
Pallas' cat has yellow-green eyes with round pupils, silvery fur and very long fangs
The color of the coat is gray or reddish brown. In winter, the color changes slightly - the ends of the fur are covered with a white coating, which creates a feeling of frost on the coat. This color is necessary so that the manul can literally merge with the environment. Even a seasoned ninja will envy the camouflage properties of the animal's fur.
Pallas' cat is a wild cat, completely composed of contradictions. On the one hand, it is practically a soft toy, with which you want to fall asleep. On the other - a predatory beast with a gloomy look from under the brows. For this unusual combination of appearance, Pallas' cat became an Internet meme with the call - "pet the cat." Judging by the way of life, the cat does not at all want to be discovered, let alone stroked.
Pallas' character and habits
Distinctive character traits:
- sedentary lifestyle;
- caution and secrecy;
- twilight and nocturnal existence;
- slowness and sluggishness;
- sporadic (solitary) existence;
- hiding.
The nature of the manul is so secretive that scientists who follow the life of a cat with non-standard ears call it a phantom. Loneliness is a staple of the wild cat's lifestyle. Experts say that the pallas cat is one of the most cautious animals that will never step on recently fallen snow, and even more so will not leave traces on sticky soil. To prevent the animal's lair from being tracked down, it will wait for days until the virgin snow is marked before it by one of the inhabitants of the same area. Most often, Pallas' cat walks in the footsteps of ibex and northern antelopes, which run in flocks and leave clear prints. 
Pallas' cat is a master of disguise and a very cautious animal with a detached lifestyle
Pallas' cat leads a sedentary lifestyle and prefers solitude. The invasion of congeners into their territory is stopped immediately and harshly. Prefers a twilight and nocturnal lifestyle, mostly sleeps during the day.
However, the manul is not averse to soak up the warm rays of the sun during the day. In the spring and summer, a wild cat can be awake during the daytime.
The Pallas cat leads a measured, unhurried life. Pallas' cat is not used to fussing and running long distances. And although outwardly the hermit seems awkward and clumsy, he has an excellent reaction. Pallas' cat is quite nimble and knows how to squeeze through narrow manul holes. In most cases, upon seeing an opponent, the cat prefers:
- retire;
- hide;
- climb high on the rocks.
Although this beast is not so harmless. Possessing large sharp fangs and long strong claws, the Pallas' cat can offer serious resistance. When attacking, the animal hiss menacingly, snorts and growls, making uterine throat sounds. Sometimes his screams are similar to the hooting of an owl. But the cat does not know how to purr pallas.
Video: Pallas's cat growls and hisses
The wild cat equips its lair in secluded places. As a rule, these are:
- rocky crevices;
- small caves;
- niches under stones;
- burrows abandoned by other animals;
- hollows of fallen trees.
Pallas' cat tries not to meet with a man, and if their paths intersect, he immediately leaves without showing any interest.
Pallas' cat does not pursue prey, but waits, disguised as an ambush, and then simply conceals.
Steppe hermit diet
Pallas' cat is an obligate predator (feeding on the meat of its own victims). The composition of the diet depends on the place of residence and climatic characteristics. The predator's food is not very diverse. These are mainly small rodents and birds. But the manul is not averse to feasting on the steamed meat of a gaping rabbit. In summer, the cat eats pasture, and in times of food shortages, it eats insects.
The main menu of the pallas cat:
- rodents:
- voles;
- gerbils;
- hamsters;
- gophers;
- marmots;
- jerboas.
- small mammals:
- pikas;
- tolai hares.
- birds:
- partridges;
- kekliki;
- larks (and other birds that nest on the ground);
- swifts;
- pigeons;
- bluetail.
- insects;
- berries and plants.
Pallas' favorite treats are steppe pikas In the zoo, the manul is fed:
- meat;
- rodents;
- carcasses of small birds;
- cereals.
Food is usually served in the evenings.
Video: morning manul hunting
Wild cat habitat
Where Pallas' cat lives, prevail:
- sharply continental climate with drops up to -50 °;
- steppe winds;
- low snow cover;
- thickets of grass and low bushes.
The wild cat inhabits the steppe and semi-desert areas in the mountains and can rise up to 4500 meters above sea level.
Habitat:
- highlands of Transcaucasia:
- Altai;
- Tuva;
- Krasnoyarsk region.
- the steppes of Transbaikalia;
- Middle Asia:
- Uzbekistan;
- Tajikistan;
- Kyrgyzstan;
- Turkmenistan.
- Afghanistan;
- Iran;
- Kashmir;
- western China;
- plains of Mongolia.
Pallas' cat subspecies
This population can hardly boast of a variety of subspecies. In scientific circles, only three subspecies are classified:
- Common (or Siberian) manul. Known since 1776. This subspecies has a standard light gray color. Distributed over most of the range, although it is most often found in some regions of Siberia, China and Mongolia.
The common Pallas' cat is light gray in color. - Tibetan manul. Known since 1842. This subspecies has a darker color, which becomes silvery due to bleached tips in winter. Found in Nepal, Tibet, in the northern states of India and Pakistan, in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.
Tibetan Pallas' cat wears a silver-colored fur coat - Central Asian manul. The subspecies has been known since 1842. It has a reddish fur color and clearly pronounced brown stripes. This subspecies of Pallas' cat can be found in Afghanistan, Iran, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan and other countries of Central Asia.
Reddish color with darker stripes is a visiting card of the Central Asian manul
Reproduction and offspring of Pallas' cat
The steppe cat breeds once a year. The mating season, like domestic cats, begins:
- at the end of February;
- in the beginning of March.
Due to the reduction of the population for one female during the rut, several cavaliers apply at once. The strongest wins.
While courting a friend, the manul becomes incredibly gallant:
- prepares the lair;
- obtains food;
- protects and protects the territory from the encroachments of the opponent.
Even wild cats know how to tenderly look after the "lady of the heart" The "beloved" wild cat has a very short period of heat - only 42 hours. If during this time it was not possible to make offspring, then this process is postponed until next year.
After mating, the boyfriend hides in the first bush of the steppe, leaving his girlfriend alone to cope with bearing and rearing offspring.
After conception, the cat looks for a comfortable place for pregnancy and childbirth. An interesting position in the female Pallas' cat lasts from 66 to 75 days. Fluffy kittens appear:
- in the end of April;
- in early or mid-May.
There can be from one to seven blind kittens in a litter. If the mother dies, then, as a rule, all offspring die. Tellingly, babies are born immediately with short and thick fur. The female Pallas' cat feeds the droppings with milk and licks them, like all ordinary cats.
Dimensions of newborns manul:
- weight from 200 to 300 grams;
- length - 10-12 cm.
Video: funny cubs of Pallas' cat
Almost all kittens open their eyes on the 12th day. Manulata grow up very quickly. A wild cat is a very caring mother who leaves her babies only for the hunting period. In an emergency situation, the cubs sit quietly in the den and do not crawl out of the shelter until the mother arrives. In a calm and measured life, a cat teaches kids the skills of hunting and growing up in a difficult world. The period of puberty of the offspring of Pallas' cat:
- hunting period with mother - 3-4 months;
- the size of an adult is 6–8 months;
- reproductive age is about 10 months.
The life span of the fluffiest cat in the world is very short:
- in natural habitat - 10-12 years;
- in zoos and nurseries - up to 18 years.
Photo gallery of little manul
Pallas' cat in its natural habitat Pallas' cat kittens look at the world with just opened eyes Pallas' cat from an early age has thick hair On a walk, Pallas' cat always walk in a common group in order to timely neutralize an opponent And after all, someone will get such a groom Pallas' cat cubs are not much different from ordinary ones kittens Pallas' cat babies have long fangs and strong claws since childhood
Wild cat life in captivity
The Pallas cat is listed in the Red Book, so any attempt to acquire this animal for personal use is illegal. At the federal level, trade in animals can only take place between state-supported nature reserves and zoos. Illegal acquisition of the steppe savage is punishable by law. Ways to acquire a pallas cat for personal use: to save a sick animal from death or leave.
Several reasons not to make a manula as a domestic cat
Some fans of exotic animals want to have a manul as a pet. However, almost no one succeeds in taming the wild nature of the cat. He does not lend itself to training and does not stick with his heart to the owners. There were cases when the cat fed the young Pallas' cat. But the grown up babies remained wild, showing aggression even towards their nurse.
- Aggressive behavior. Pallas' cat is not the kind of cat that you can cuddle or play with, like with a domestic cat. The steppe hermit will never allow the master to be familiar, and even more so to aggression towards himself.
- Wrong diet. The carnivorous animal feeds on its own game. Human or cat food is not suitable for feeding a wild cat. It will be very difficult to create a balanced diet for manul.
- Small area. Pallas' cat is accustomed to freedom and steppe expanses. A small area will oppress the freedom-loving cat.
- Life rhythm. Pallas' cat leads an active lifestyle at dusk and at night. The owners will have to adjust to the rhythm of the cat's life.
- Various diseases. Pallas cat's immunity is different from that of a domestic cat. Infections that do not do much harm to a pet are fatal to a wild animal. In addition, the manul does not tolerate the touch of human hands, and in order to perform veterinary procedures, the cat will have to be rigidly fixed.
- Damage to property. You can forget about perfect cleanliness and fashionable interior, living next to this animal.
- Constant molting. The fluffiest cat will actively shed and leave its fur all over the house. In order to somehow reduce the amount of hair falling from the manul, you will have to constantly comb it out. It is unlikely that an aggressive pet will dutifully endure such a procedure.
- The mating season. It is almost impossible to find a pair of Pallas' cat. It is impossible to sterilize the animal, which means that you will have to adapt to the unpredictable behavior of the animal during this period.
There were cases when the owners of this arrogant animal, unable to cope with the difficult behavior, gave it to the zoo. Most often, attempts to tame the manul end in the death of the animal.
In zoos, where comfortable living conditions have been created for wild cats, Pallas' cat live much longer than in the wild and even actively reproduce.
Video: manul at home
You should not try to tame the manul. A proud and indomitable animal must live in the wild, among the dusty feather grass, steppe winds and twinkling stars overhead. The best thing a human can do for a wild cat is to keep it in the wild.
Pallas' cat, an inhabitant of the Asian steppes, is one of the most interesting species of cats. For twenty thousand years of its existence on Earth, this cat has practically not changed.
Pallas' cat was first described by the German naturalist Peter Pallas when he met a cat in the Caspian steppes. As a result, Pallas' cat was given a second name for the palas.
Pallas's description
The dimensions of a palasovy cat are comparable to those of an ordinary house cat. The body length does not exceed 65 cm, the tail is 31 cm, and the weight of the manul is not more than 6 kg. It differs from the usual domestic "Murka" only in long thick hair, massive paws and unusual ears. Pallas's ears are wide, rounded, placed on the sides of the head, from which tanks of long hair descend. The color of the coat varies from the habitat of the Pallas' cat. But in all places where Pallas' cat live, gray wool has white tips, as a result of which the impression of fur dusted with snow is created. 6-7 black stripes about 1 cm wide stretch across the back. The tail is gray, black at the end with seven transverse narrow stripes. Under the eyes, through the cheeks, there are two black stripes: one to the base of the ear, the other under the ear to the neck.
Pallas cat's lifestyle and reproduction
Unlike other small cats in open areas. These felines lead a solitary lifestyle and are active in the dark. mainly on murine rodents. This is the slowest cat, he almost never catches up with his prey. After hunting, Pallas' cat loves to rest in its den, it is located most often among the gorges of the mountains or in the burrows of other animals.
Pallas' cat meets females only during the mating season. After mating, the female brings kittens after 60 days of gestation. Babies appear in April or May. Most often, from two to six blind and helpless kittens appear in a litter, but it happens that in one litter up to 10 kittens are born, but more often in a litter of 3 or 5 babies. The weight of a newborn manul is about 70-250 grams and is 12 cm long. I start seeing babies on the 10-12th day of life. Already at the age of 3-4 months, kittens hunt themselves. Mature Pallas 'cats leave their mothers at the age of 10 months; at the same age, female Pallas' cats can have their cubs. Pallas' cat live for about 12 years.
Lurking Pallas' cat
Pallas' cat in the Red Book
Pallas' cat is listed on the IUCN Red List as Near Threatened. Pallas' cat is also listed in the Red Book of the Russian Federation, the republics of Tyva and Buryatia, and the Trans-Baikal Territory.
The number of Pallas' cat in Russia has recently begun to increase slightly. According to the latest data for 2011, about 10,000-13,000 individuals live in Southeastern Transbaikalia, namely in the Daursky Reserve. It is quite difficult to establish the exact number of Pallas' cat in other regions of its habitat due to the hidden nature of the animal.
The main reasons for the disappearance of Pallas 'cat are human activities: the use of pesticides for baiting rodents, which the Pallas' cat feed on, hunting, the use of traps, traps, loops for capturing other animals, the destruction of habitats, keeping pet dogs untied. Also, one of the reasons for the small number of the palasovy cat is its natural enemies, owls and wolves, they are especially dangerous for young individuals. The number of Pallas' cat can decrease due to high snow cover up to 20 cm and prolonged ice cover. Pallas' cat often die from various infectious diseases.
Now active work is underway to restore the number of Pallas' cat and return it to the places where it once lived.
In the conditions of the wild habitat, in the steppes and burrows, the Pallas cat, unique in density and color of fur, lives. The German naturalist Pallas described this feline predatory animal back in 1776. Since then, the manul is known as the Pallas cat. Unfortunately, the animal is more and more difficult to meet from year to year within the limits of even very remote areas of its natural habitat. Caution is peculiar to the beast, but man creates insurmountable difficulties for the life and reproduction of a cat.
Who is manul
It is known that the Pallas' cat is a small-sized carnivorous mammal from the feline family. It belongs to the group of small cats and is a relative of forest, steppe and jungle cats. It is represented on the territory of some zoos, but it is not very well adapted to life in captivity due to its weak immunity to infections common among people. The owner of the thickest and longest fur of all felines.
Where does the steppe cat live?
The habitat of the steppe cat is the steppe, semi-desert, partly mountainous regions of Africa not higher than three thousand meters above sea level, as well as the Near and Central Asian regions of Central Asia, northern India, Kazakhstan and the territory of the Caucasus. On the territory of the Russian Federation, traces of the steppe cat's habitat can be found in the vicinity of floodplain bushes and in semi-desert areas, not far from the water source. The animal tries to constantly be in dense thickets.
Pallas' cat has habitats close to the steppe cat, but unlike the steppe cat, it is not found in Africa. Each subspecies has its own habitat:
- Otocolobus manul manul (Siberian, six light gray) - Pallas' cat lives almost everywhere, but most of all in the west of China and Mongolia;
- Otocolobus manul ferruginea (Central Asian, wool has reddish stripes) is found in the territories of Pakistan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Iran, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan;
- Otocolobus manul nigripecta (Tibetan, silver-gray wool) - found in Tibet, Nepal, Kashmir.
Pallas' cat subspecies - photo
The color of the cat's fur has a slight dependence on the region of habitation and determines the classification of the animal into three subspecies:
- Siberian (nominal): This subspecies was first described by the German naturalist Pallas and has a light gray coat.
- Central Asian Pallas' cat: known since 1942, the coat has a dark gray shade that can change depending on the season, in winter it is silvery.
- Tibetan: Known since 1842, the coat is reddish in color with noticeable reddish stripes.
What a cave cat looks like
The Palassov cat has a peculiar appearance, which served as a basis for scientists to hypothesize that it originated or is related to Persian cats. The similarity with these representatives of the feline family is observed in the fluffy coat, the rounded shape of the skull and the unusual head size for other breeds. The difference from a domestic cat is indomitable.
Adult sizes
In size, an adult animal does not differ from the familiar domestic cat. The body length of the cat reaches 52-65 cm, the tail of the handsome man is 23-31 cm long, the animal has sharp teeth. The body weight of an animal ranges from two to five kilograms. Males are larger than females, but not much. The animal differs from a domestic cat in a more massive, dense body. Short, thick legs make the animal squat. Nails are long, sharp, curved at the ends.
The structure of the skull and ears
The cat's head of this member of the family has a small shape. The skull is wide, slightly flattened, which distinguishes the animal from other breeds of cats. The head is crowned with small rounded ears, they are widely spaced to catch various sounds. This position of the ears on the head helps the predator to hunt better, to hide from enemies. The shape of the ears even served as a name for the species - the name Otocolobus from Latin means "ugly ear."
Features of the structure of the eyes
Pallas' cat is distinguished by the presence of large convex eyes with round pupils. The color of the iris is yellow. Compared to the pupils of a familiar domestic cat, the pupils of a palassa cat do not become slit-like in bright light, but remain round. Blinking membranes are highly developed in front of our eyes, which helps the mucous membrane not dry out under the influence of the harsh conditions of the windy steppe.
Wool and its color
The main difference from the domestic cat is the thick hair of the Pallas' cat. There are about nine thousand hairs per square centimeter of lush fur, reaching a maximum length of seven centimeters. Tufts of elongated hair are noticeable on the cheeks, a tail with a black rounded tip. The color of the animal is a mixture of ocher, light gray and fawn shades. At the tips, the hairs are white, on the back of the body and tail, narrow dark stripes are visible, the same, but vertical, can be found on the sides of the muzzle and corners of the eyes. The underside of the body is brown.
Pallas cat's lifestyle and nutrition
The wild cat Pallas' cat leads a sedentary solitary lifestyle. Its activity begins in the early morning and continues at dusk. During the day, the cat sleeps in a shelter - rock crevasses, small caves, under stones. Sometimes Pallas' cat can be found in old burrows of various small animals (fox, badger, marmot). Due to the camouflage properties of the color, the cat hunts successfully, but it is distinguished by its slowness and sluggish movements.
Pallas' cat food consists of pikas, mouse-like rodents, ground squirrels, young marmots and birds, the animal can catch a hare. In summer periods or times with a small amount of food, the animal can eat insects. The cat watches over prey near stones and holes. A cat cannot run fast, if danger comes, it hides. Runs away from enemies on stones, rocks; when alarmed, cats emit a hoarse rumbling or a sharp snort. Manul's appetite is average.
Pallas cat housing
Over the past 15 years, the range of the cat has acquired the appearance of isolated foci. Habitats include treeless desert mountains, arid areas, deserts and steppes, rocky shelters. The habitat of the animal is characterized by fragmented herbaceous-shrub vegetation, rocks, low mountains with outliers. It requires rocky outcrops, vast areas of thickets of bushes - there the animal makes a nest and hides during the day.
The areas with little snow inhabited by Pallas' cat are distinguished by a sharp continental climate, where the temperature in winter reaches minus 50 degrees. Animals cannot move on loose deep snow, therefore they settle in areas with a snow cover no higher than 20 cm. Pallas' cat can be found at an altitude of 3-4.8 km above sea level. Wherever the beast is found, it is scarce.
Number and reproduction
According to statistical observations of zoologists, Pallas' cat breeds once a year. Pregnancy in the female lasts from February-March to April-May. Kittens reach sexual maturity at the age of 10 months, the animal lives up to 12 years. At the beginning of the 1990s, about 2,800 individuals lived on the territory of Russia, today this figure is about 3,500 animals. The population density is three individuals per 10 square kilometers.
Pallas cat kittens
Pallas' cat has from two to six kittens in a litter, sometimes more. A newborn kitten weighs about 300 grams and reaches a length of 12 cm.A characteristic dark spot is immediately noticeable in the color of the animal. Cubs are born blind, helpless kittens, their eyes open at 10-12 days. Having reached the age of 3-4 months, kittens first experience hunting instincts. The mother always looks after the offspring.
Status and protection of the animal
Pallas cat is rare or extremely rare, its population is decreasing everywhere, sometimes reaching the brink of extinction. The exact number of the animal is unknown due to its hidden behavior and mosaic distribution. Animals are killed by poachers (hunting for fur), dogs, noose and traps for catching hares and foxes. Another reason for the decline in the number of Pallas' cat is the deterioration of the food supply, the reduction in the number of marmots and rodents from owls, they are destroyed by wolves, infectious diseases. Snowy winters and icy conditions are difficult for Pallas to bear.
In Russia, Pallas' cat is listed in the Red Book, in the IUCN Red List (International Union for Conservation of Nature) with the status of "close to threatened", in Appendix II of the CITES Convention. This means that hunting the animal is prohibited. In 2013, the Russian Geographical Society supported the Pallas Cat Conservation Program in Transbaikalia. The Daursky Reserve received a grant to obtain new information about cats. Animal protection measures are under development.
Pallas cat breed in captivity
Pallas' cat is rarely found in zoos, although it quickly gets used to captivity and even reproduces. The reason for the absence of an animal in zoos is the frequent death of cubs from toxoplasmosis. According to modern estimates, about 150 individuals are kept in captivity, and they are also in the Moscow Zoo. Pallas' cat cannot be domesticated. He does not get along with people, other animals, spoils furniture, often sheds a lot.
Video
The smallest of all wild cats has an ancient history, an incredibly fluffy coat and a complex character. We are talking about the wild cat Pallas' cat - unique in nature and, unfortunately, very rare animal in nature. Neighborhood with a man becomes more and more destructive for manul.
Small but beast: wild cat manul
Pallas cat is the smallest and most fluffy of the. A good fur coat is vital for this animal - it helps the cat to feel comfortable in a harsh continental climate. This is when the temperature drops to -50 degrees in winter and rises to +50 in summer.
Pallas' cat is very beautiful, but very wild cat
Discovery history
Scientists call Pallas' cat one of the oldest species of predators on our planet - its history goes back at least twelve million years! The little inconspicuous cat managed to survive such monsters as, for example, the saber-toothed tiger, without undergoing any special evolutionary changes.
The word "manul" has Turkic roots, but what it means is not known for certain. Since ancient times, the Mongols have christened the animal that lives next door to them - if many peoples did not deify this little mysterious beast, then they always treated him with reverence.
Little manul is a contemporary of the saber-toothed tiger
The ancient predatory cat, oddly enough, remained unknown to science until the end of the eighteenth century, and specifically until 1776, when it was described by the outstanding German naturalist Peter Pallas. At that time, the German scientist was in the Russian service and participated in large-scale Siberian expeditions. In honor of its discoverer, Pallas cat received one of its names - Pallas cat.
For a long time, the Pallas cat was classified as a representative of the genus Felis and the closest relative of the forest cat, but a deep study of specific features prompted scientists to create a separate genus in the feline family - Octolobus especially for the Pallas cat.
Here is such a manul - video
Pallas' cat in nature and in captivity
The preservation of this unique species is becoming an increasingly urgent task every day, because the natural population of Pallas' cat is steadily decreasing. Zoos cannot yet fully help in solving this problem - in captivity, breeding a wild cat is fraught with great difficulties.
Habitat
The Pallas cat settles in the steppe or mountainous terrain - it can be found at an altitude of up to four to five kilometers. Its habitat in a wide strip passes through almost all of Eurasia. In different regions, there are different phenotypes of this animal, which can be distinguished into three main subspecies:
- siberian (or nominal) - lives in the north of the range and is characterized by a predominant gray color;
- central Asian - has a reddish fur;
- tibetan - differs in the darkest coat with bright stripes and spots.
The Central Asian Pallas' cat is distinguished by a red skin color
On the territory of Russia, only the first of these subspecies was discovered - Siberian Pallas' cat settle in three territories isolated from each other:
- in Transbaikalia - mostly in Buryatia;
- in the Chita region - between the Argun and Shilka rivers;
- in Tuva and Altai.
In the Daursky Biosphere Reserve, the livestock of Pallas' cat is being monitored
Regular observations under the program "Conservation of Pallas' cat in Transbaikalia" have been carried out for several years in the Daursky State Reserve, which gave a lot for studying the life of this unique species in its natural habitat.
To study Pallas' cat they wear special collars with radios
And yet this wild cat most willingly chooses for itself territories that are sparsely populated by humans. He is not afraid of the harsh climatic conditions - Pallas' cat survives equally well both in the bare steppe and on rocky rocks. He knows how to swim, but does not like too much, as well as climb trees. The animal as a whole is extremely undemanding to living conditions: it would only be closer to a reliable food base - and away from humans.
Pallas' cat in natural habitat - photo gallery
Pallas' cat easily climbs the mountain slopes; Pallas' cat is not afraid of frosts; Pallas' cat is a big fan of ruining nests 
An old hollow tree is a great hiding place Manula like to hide among stones
The "housing issue" is not acute for him - a cat can equip old fox or badger holes for housing, and a cave among stones, and a hollow in a tree - there would be where to hide from the hurricane wind, frost and enemies in order to raise offspring in calm conditions ...
Rare steppe cat - video
Guarded
The development of human civilization has a detrimental effect on the number of this species. Until now, the already rare animals are barbarously exterminated by poachers - for the sake of a uniquely beautiful skin. Pallas' cat did not bring anything good and the suddenly flared up fashion for keeping it at home. The number of the species is constantly decreasing, and this dangerous tendency is not stopped even by the fact that the law took the manul under protection at the state level.
For the sake of a beautiful fur coat, this beast is still barbarously destroyed
The Pallas cat is listed in the Red Data Books of several states:
- Russian Federation;
- China;
- Kazakhstan;
- Mongolia;
- Kyrgyzstan.
Not only cynical poaching, but also everyday economic activities of a person sometimes turns into a real disaster for Pallas' cat. Already rare animals are dying:
- during the seasons of field work under tractors and combines;
- from eating mice and other agricultural pests poisoned by pesticides;
- in fires that are increasingly occurring in the steppe.
It is not known for certain how many Pallas' cat has survived in nature today, but experts are convinced that their livestock continues to decline. Specialists of the International Union for Conservation of Nature announce the total number of 58 thousand individuals, but they themselves make a reservation: this is very, very approximate data. In the early 2000s, the number of animals on the territory of Russia was estimated at about 3.5 thousand individuals, but no one can say how many of them are left now.
Pallas' cat plays an important role in the ecosystem
Role in the ecosystem
Pallas' cat is not a scavenger, but an obligate predator, like all felines. Of all types of food, he prefers fresh meat - the prey that he himself caught... And who is easier to catch a medium-sized and not too fast cat? That's right - weak, sick and old animals. This is its most important role in the ecosystem: Pallas' cat is the orderly of the steppe. Well, or mountains - depending on where he already happened to live.
Wild cat hermit - video
Is it possible to tame the manul
Those who know Pallas' cat not from pictures, but directly observe it in the conditions of nature or captivity, argue: this animal does not lend itself to domestication. Even a kitten, raised by a human from the first days of its life, by three months will begin to vividly show the instincts of a wild animal. The genetics of this species is too strong, which allowed it to survive in the most difficult conditions; but for the manul man does not fit into the circle of his interests - as he was, and remains the main enemy.
Even a little manul kitten cannot be taken in your arms without wearing mittens
In zoo
Keeping Pallas' cat in captivity is extremely difficult, and only a few, the best zoos in the world can boast of successful breeding of these animals. The immune system of the Pallas cat is designed in a special way, and many "urban" infections can become fatal for him, to which ordinary domestic cats will not even respond. Such civilization risks are especially dangerous for newborn cubs - the loss of offspring in Pallas' cats in zoos is a very high percentage.
Breeding Pallas' cat in captivity is not easy, but very important
Self-isolation, which for many millions of years regularly helped the manul to survive as a species, played a negative role here. The animal has never developed reliable defense mechanisms capable of resisting infections. In addition, the natural habitat of this cat is characterized by a sharply continental climate with severe winter frosts - at such a low temperature, most pathogenic microorganisms simply die. The wild manul developed immunity to them, there was no need. Once in captivity, the animal is immediately exposed to numerous attacks of pathogenic bacteria and viruses, which, alas, does not know how to fight.
From 1987 to 2015, for almost three decades, it was the manul that was the official symbol of the Moscow Zoo. Here, by the way, they achieved good results in breeding an animal and preserving its offspring. There are also two more Russian zoos, in St. Petersburg and Novosibirsk, that have made progress in this area. All in all, in the zoos of the world there are one and a half hundred Pallas' cat, the vast majority of which are close relatives.
Pallas' cat has long been a symbol of the Moscow Zoo
Females born in captivity often lose the ability to reproduce or give birth to very weak cubs. Even under ideal conditions, the survival rate of Pallas' cats born in the zoo does not rise above 40 percent - the main threat to their life is such a dangerous disease as toxoplasmosis.
Experienced veterinarians in zoos pay special attention to the health of Pallas' cat. Adults are annually vaccinated with multivalent vaccines, and for kittens, timely vaccination is practically the only way to save life. In order to get the opportunity of constant observation and medical care, newborn babies are often taken from their mother and transferred to the families of zoo employees for growing, where the most common domesticated cattle are often fed.
Manulata raised by a domestic cat still remain wild
Breeding Pallas' cat in captivity is becoming a very promising task, especially considering that this species is gradually disappearing in nature. The European Breeding Program (EEP), which is supervised by EAZA - the European Association of Zoos and Aquariums, is very seriously involved in the conservation and reproduction of the pallas cat.
Homemade pussy?
The law severely prohibits individuals from both catching in nature and keeping these Red Data Book wild cats in their home zoos. But in reality, of course, there are such cases. A few years ago, the manul, completely unexpected for himself, was at the height of fashion and world popularity. Until now, on the Internet, you can find many offers of the type: "Pallas' cat for sale.
Pallas' cat is very cute, but not at all homey
This is one hundred percent illegal and even a criminally punishable business, and the animal (if it really is a Pallas' cat) is probably seized in the wild and is almost certainly doomed to death. Sellers usually tell the same story - about a certain farm where these wild cats are bred. in fact, there are no such farms anywhere in the world.
Little fluffy illegal immigrants are sold from under the floor and in large bird markets. A kitten costs from two to four thousand dollars, but with a high degree of probability it will not grow out of a wild cat, but quite a domestic Scottish cat, similar to a Pallas' cat in color. Although, perhaps, it is for the best: a real Pallas cat will not take root in an apartment. Do not even try to keep a manul at home - such a thoughtless impulse rarely ends happily both for the cat itself and for the person.
Better not try to pet the manul
At best, the failed owners manage to hand over the exhausted animal to the zoo, but for the majority of manul, the attempt at domestication ends in death.
And the point here is not only in the natural aggressiveness or willfulness of the wild cat. By nature, Pallas' cat is an egocentric and maximalist; these qualities, in unnatural conditions of unnatural content, reach the extreme and are generously seasoned with increased irritability. Those who tried to coexist with such a cute furry pussy on the same territory admit: it was very difficult.
It is not easy to share one territory with the manul
Pallas' cat is categorically incapable of obeying and always considers himself to be in charge, demanding maximum attention from a person, not forgiving familiarity. Almost not for him - he takes revenge: methodically and cruelly destroys everything that only gets under his paws. Such a cat is not at all home ...
Pallas' cat also behaves like a typical autistic person - even animals that have grown up next to a person do not tolerate any of his touches, which greatly complicates even the simplest veterinary manipulations. So the recently hotly popular Internet meme "Stroke Pallas' cat!" in reality looks completely irrelevant.
Pallas' cat and people - video
Features of the wild cat manul
According to scientists, in nature, the average lifespan of a wild cat manul does not exceed eleven years. In the hearty and problem-free conditions of the zoo, animals can live one and a half times longer.
External data
The official, Latin name of Pallas 'cat is Otocolobus manul, and it is translated rather strangely - "ugly-eared Pallas' cat". This cat has very cute ears - compact and sensitive. The nose is also small and in general the "face" is quite flat, which allows the cat to significantly increase the field of view. But the eyes are simply wonderful: huge, expressive, piercing yellow; it is impossible to forget such a look.
It's impossible to forget these eyes and teeth
It is interesting that even the pupils of this unique animal are arranged in a special way. In bright light, they do not taper to narrow vertical slits, like in all normal cats, but turn into small, but round dots - like in humans.
Despite its impressive appearance, the Pallas' cat is very small in size, its body is no longer than 65 centimeters. Plus, of course, 25-30 centimeters for a gorgeous tail - long, thick, rounded at the tip. An adult individual weighs from two to five kilograms and does not exceed a medium-sized domestic cat in size - and if it seems larger, it is only due to its luxurious fur coat.
And the fur coat is really a miracle! Pallas' cat fur is unique in density and fluffiness - up to ten thousand long hairs grow on one square centimeter of animal skin!
Warm fur coat helps Pallas' cat to survive severe frosts
The body of the Pallas cat is strong and strong, short paws are armed with powerful claws. Sharp canines are three times longer than those of a domestic cat, and the jaws are much wider and stronger. All this forms the impressive image of the ideal hunter, which is what the Pallas' cat really is.
Character
And yet, in all honesty, you cannot call him an aggressor. Pallas' cat is a predator not so much by the call of the soul, but by necessity: you want to eat ... In fact, he is a philosopher in life - a phlegmatic, at best sanguine, but certainly not choleric.
A violent temperament is drawn in Pallas' cats exclusively during the mating season. What can you do: even philosophers are subject to love, and in order to find a girlfriend, you have to hurry up and even fight - a rare species, moreover, disappearing.
Pallas' cat is a small but brave philosopher cat
Usually calm and balanced Pallas' cat at critical moments shows his brave and fearless disposition to the maximum. Manul's courage is needed not only for hunting, but also for protection from enemies. And the wild cat has a lot of enemies in nature - these are larger canine predators, mainly wolves and feral dogs, as well as large birds of prey, from the attacks of which Pallas' kittens especially suffer.
And they say that Pallas' cat is a phlegmatic - video
Lifestyle
Hermit cat, lonely cat - Pallas' cat prefers his society to any other, leads a secretive and secluded lifestyle. It is more active in the dark, but it may well hunt during the day. The main thing for pallas cats is to get plenty of sleep. But this is not because they are lazy, the Pallas' cat has a relatively small heart, and after any exertion he must be given the opportunity to have a good rest.
Pallas' cat is a big lover of sleep
If there are no urgent matters, a wild cat can sleep up to two-thirds of the day - until it gets hungry.
Like many cats, the Pallas' cat is not a stayer, but a typical sprinter; its short, strong paws are not able to develop, let alone maintain high speed for a long time. A swift spurt is enough only for a hundred-meter distance - but this is quite enough for a victorious attack.
The Pallas cat does not catch up with its prey - it patiently tracks it down and, using camouflage paint, tries to get as close as possible. Well, and then everything happens at lightning speed: an accurate, aimed throw - and the game is caught! Clawed paws and sharp fangs will complete the task in seconds - they will turn the hunt into a meal.
Camouflage is good for both hunting and protection
Since the Pallas' cat cannot count on quick paws, then at the moment of danger he tries to hide, to mimic the surrounding landscape. And if it happens to be discovered, then it fiercely defends itself to the last and it is with its unrestrained courage that it often throws a stronger adversary into flight.
Growls, hisses, but does not meow - video
Nutrition
Mostly the diet of Pallas' cat in nature is made up of small rodents: mice, ground squirrels, pikas, etc .; this gourmet will not refuse to feast on some insects. Despite the seeming clumsiness, the Pallas cat catches birds very well, but this still happens less often. Sometimes, if you're lucky, a cat can even get a hare to its table, which weighs almost as much as the hunter himself, and even runs much faster.
There will be a bird for lunch today
Some difficulty for keeping Pallas 'cat in captivity is created precisely by the animals' need for “freshly caught” meat, which cannot be replaced by broilers from the refrigerator. The Pallas cat is used to eating live food, and feathers and wool are necessary for him for normal digestion.
Protein forms the basis of nutrition of this small predator, and the small percentage of carbohydrates it needs is replenished by eating half-digested grains and grass - the contents of the stomachs of the caught game.
A captive broiler is not a substitute for freshly caught game
Reproduction
The legends that it is the Pallas' cat is listed in the ancestors of such popular fluffy breeds as Siberian, Persian and Angora cats have no real basis. The Pallas cat is far from domestic cats in origin - these species belong to different genera and nothing is known about the hybrids between them.
Pallas' cat both walks and reproduces by itself. Females and males find each other only for the rutting period, and all the rest of the time each of them strictly observes the boundaries of their own territory. The peak of love games, as in domestic cats, falls on February-March. Then the parents part - the cat continues to walk by itself, and the cat is left alone with the care of the offspring.
Breeding offspring is the sole concern of the female
These animals not only do not form stable pairs - several males may well participate in the fertilization of one female. Their fights for the right to own a lady are very cruel, and sometimes even end in the death of one of the rivals.
From wedding to wedding, Pallas' cat walks by itself
Cubs
In due time, nine weeks after conception, Pallas' cat cubs are born. They are very small, up to one hundred grams, and completely helpless - blind and deaf. The female gives birth to an average of three to six kittens; unfortunately, the survival rate of droppings in natural conditions is unknown.
Just born - and already a manul!
Nature itself has determined the optimal birth dates for manuli: late April - early May. Babies need to have time to fully form and learn a lot in order to enter an independent life by the onset of the next cold weather.
Pallas' childhood - photo gallery
The kitten Pallas' cat wants to be alone And with mom is still better And from the back we look very similar Who is where - and I'm in ambush! Do not fit anyone - I have meat! These kittens will not be friends for a long time Tochi claws from a young age Let's play until they grow up Group photo for memory
Kittens grow and develop rapidly, at the age of four months they already know how to hunt independently, and by six months they are not much outwardly different from adult animals and, finally, become completely independent. puberty in animals occurs by ten months.
Pallas cat kittens become adults very quickly
Adorable, like all kittens - video
There are a huge number of different types of felines in the world: both wild and domestic. "Me and the World" will tell about Manul (cat), photos and description of the breed, who they are and how they look, where they live.
The second name of Manul is Pallas cat, by the name of P. Pallas, a naturalist scientist from Germany, who traveled along the Caspian Sea in the middle of the 18th century. At first he called the cat "ugly ear", but if you look at the pictures, Manul's ears are pretty cute and the name, of course, did not catch on.
Appearance
Seeing Manul, one might think that he is quite large, but the appearance of a steppe cat is deceiving. Its very thick coat hides such a puny little body that without fur it looks like an ordinary domestic mongrel cat, only the bones are slightly wider and the body is more muscular.
The dimensions are small and the weight does not exceed 5 kg. In length, the cat grows up to 50-60 cm with thick and short legs. The muzzle has the features of a lynx: a flattened and wide head, sideburns and yellow eyes with almost round pupils. Small semicircular ears, almost at eye level, give the cat a wary look.
There are three breeds of Manul:
- With light gray fur and sharp black stripes, they live mainly in Mongolia and China.
- The predominance of black and brown, live in the south of Russia, Pakistan, Iran.
- Pallas' cat, whose fur turns silvery in winter, living in Nepal and Tibet.
The wool of cats is unusually thick - 9000 hairs per 1 sq. / Cm. For comparison: the density of wool in merino sheep is up to 8800 hairs. And there is also a very warm undercoat, which makes Pallas' prey for poachers.
Life and disposition
The lifestyle and habitat of Manul are not fully understood due to the wild nature of the cat and the small number of individuals. But it is well known that he lives in the steppes of Transbaikalia, Central Asia, Afghanistan, China and Mongolia. For a good life, a cat needs rather cold weather, a small snow cover, a spacious steppe with tall grass and bushes. They even climb mountains to an altitude of 4000 m, where they live in rocky depressions. In the steppes, they try to live next to water courses, for which they are also called jungle cats.
During the day, it sleeps in a den or bask in the sun, the rest of the time it hunts for small rodents, birds, marmots, hares, and can also eat insects. It does not pursue prey, because of a weak heart, it cannot withstand the load of running. Only thanks to innate dexterity, the hunt is successful.
They live in the wild for about 13 years. But in captivity, the life of cats is significantly reduced, because next to people they often contract infectious diseases, dying at a young age. Even babies born in zoos already have low immunity and sometimes do not live up to sexual age.
Pallas' cat prefers to live alone in its own hunting territory. He deals with uninvited guests "like a man" quickly and harshly. The main enemies are wolves and birds of prey. At the sight of danger, he tries not to get involved in a fight, but to wait it out or quickly step aside. He does not like to meet with a person, and when he sees it, he disappears with lightning speed. It is a pity that over the past few years, the number of Manuls has greatly decreased, so it was included in the Red Book.
Manulov kittens are born in a forest den blind and with a very low weight. Up to six manul are born at a time, but sometimes there are ten. The sizes of babies range from 100 to 300 grams. and about 12 cm. They grow very quickly, by 4 months they begin to hunt, and by 7-8 they become completely adults.
It is almost impossible to accustom Manul to the home conditions of an apartment. Even taking a newborn baby, growing up, he will still start to run wild and snap at his beloved owner. It will bite on a weasel, tear wallpaper and upholstery, and at night will be in charge of the house. Buying kittens is not easy, they are rarely bred.
How much does a kitten cost? The cost of a baby on the market starts at $ 3000. The price in Russia is about the same, but usually kittens are sold for 200,000 rubles.
The number of Siberian Manuls numbers 2500 individuals, Transbaikal - only about 70, and in Altai - almost 300. An interesting fact: these cats are more than 12 million years old, and their appearance has not changed much.
We have provided information about a wild but very cute Manula. If you want to have a cat at home, think about it, because he will never love you like ordinary cats or dogs. Better help the Moscow Zoo, where they are trying to increase the number of endangered Manuls.