Pallas's Cat Facts
Otocolobus manul
Pallas's cats are small, stocky wild cats of Central Asia's cold steppes and rocky uplands. Dense fur, low-set ears, and a flattened body profile help them stay insulated and concealed among rocks.
- Habitat
- Mountain
- Diet
- Pikas, voles, gerbils, hamsters, small birds, and lizards
- Lifespan
- 8–9 years
Pallas's Cat Facts at a Glance
Pallas's cats are small, stocky wild cats of Central Asia's cold steppes and rocky uplands. Dense fur, low-set ears, and a flattened body profile help them stay insulated and concealed among rocks.
It belongs to the family Felidae in the order Carnivora. This profile is designed as a concise starting point; the source names below document the review basis.
Pallas's Cat Habitat
Pallas's Cats live in Mountain and Grassland and Scrub and Desert habitats. Their recorded range includes Central Asia. Suitable food, shelter, and conditions for raising young help shape that range.
What Do Pallas's Cats Eat?
Pallas's Cats have a carnivore diet that includes Pikas, voles, gerbils, hamsters, small birds, and lizards. The food available in their environment shapes how they find, hunt, forage for, or receive meals.
Pallas's Cat Lifespan, Size, and Weight
Pallas's Cats typically live for 8–9 years. Adults measure about 51–61 cm, plus a 20–25 cm tail and weigh around 1.8–5 kg; these ranges can vary with sex, age, environment, and access to food.
Pallas's Cat Conservation Status
Pallas's Cat is listed here as Least Concern. Protecting habitat, maintaining healthy prey or food sources, and reducing human pressure are important parts of conserving wild populations.
Quick facts
- Region
- Central Asia
- Habitat
- Mountain, Grassland, Scrub, Desert
- Diet
- Carnivore
- Lifespan
- 8–9 years
- Size
- 51–61 cm, plus a 20–25 cm tail
- Weight
- 1.8–5 kg
Fun facts
- Unlike most small cats, Pallas's cats have round pupils.
- They often ambush prey at the entrances of rodent burrows.
- Low-set ears let them peer over rocks without exposing much of the head.
- Their thick winter coat helps them tolerate severe mountain cold.
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Sources and image credit
Animal facts are reviewed against the references below. The photograph remains available under the stated license.