Pallas's cat: One of the world's oldest felines

Pallas's cat is a small wild feline found across Central Asia. Its short legs and extremely thick coat give it a much larger and heavier appearance than its actual size suggests. However, the unusual yelping sounds it makes when frightened or stressed can quickly reveal just how small this cat really is.

Also called the manul, Pallas's cat is a Central Asian feline that can produce a yelp resembling the sound of a small dog. Its unusually short legs can even make it difficult to chase certain prey at high speed. Scientists believe Pallas's cat is among the most ancient cat species still living today, having separated from a leopard ancestor approximately 5.2 million years ago.

Although its body looks broad and heavy, Pallas's cat is not much larger than an ordinary domestic cat once its long, dense coat is taken into consideration. Its exceptionally thick fur acts as insulation, helping the animal survive the severe cold found across the Central Asian steppes and high-elevation grasslands.

This species is rarely encountered because Pallas's cats are solitary and extremely cautious. During daylight hours, they usually remain hidden inside rocky cracks, crevices, or abandoned marmot burrows.

A Secretive Nighttime Hunter

Pallas's cats generally emerge around dusk and remain active through the night until dawn. They are ambush hunters that rely on patience rather than speed. A cat may wait near the entrance of a rodent burrow until its prey comes outside. Some individuals will also reach their paws into burrow entrances and attempt to pull out prey, according to information from the Smithsonian's National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute.

Even when a Pallas's cat is active during daylight, spotting one can be extremely difficult. Its coat is typically gray or pale brown, and its coloring can vary with the seasons, helping it blend more effectively into the surrounding terrain.

Most of the individual hairs have pale or white tips, creating a speckled, frosty-looking coat. This coloration makes the animal remarkably difficult to distinguish from the rocks, grasses, and low vegetation that dominate its natural habitat.

Remarkable Natural Camouflage

Pallas's cat has another unusual adaptation that helps it remain hidden. Its rounded ears are positioned unusually low on the sides of its head. This allows the animal to look over rocks while keeping its ears concealed from view.

The most noticeable feature extending beyond its body is its thick, bushy tail. The tail is approximately half the combined length of the cat's head and body, giving it a particularly distinctive appearance.

Unusual Eyes and Vocalizations

Unlike many other small wild cats, which generally have narrow, slit-shaped pupils, Pallas's cat has round pupils. These rounded pupils are thought to help the animal better judge distances while navigating its environment and hunting.

Its vocalizations are also unusual for a feline. When frightened or excited, a Pallas's cat may produce a sharp yelp that sounds surprisingly similar to a small dog. Despite this distinctive call, the species still produces familiar feline sounds such as purring and growling.

Life in the Wild

In its natural environment, Pallas's cat generally has a lifespan of around eight to nine years. Like many other wild felines, it uses scent markings to establish and communicate ownership of its territory.

Its home range is remarkably extensive considering its small body size. A typical Pallas's cat may occupy an area of approximately 3.5 to 7 square miles, or about 9 to 18 square kilometers.

Pallas's cats are also known for an unusual behavior that may help protect their paws from the cold. According to Edinburgh Zoo, they sometimes stand on top of their own bushy tails to keep their feet warm. Whether the harsh climate is responsible for the species' famously stern or grumpy-looking expression, however, remains uncertain.