Today, more and more people decide to have various exotic animals at home. It is already known that wild cats such as the caracal, jungle cat, and serval can live at home. But can a manul live at home? After all, it is believed that he is not particularly friendly with people. You should get to know this member of the cat family better.
Keeping Pallas's cat at home
Does the concept of homemade manul exist? Is it possible to keep a representative of this breed at home? Keeping a Pallas cat in your home is not the best idea.
And there are several objective reasons for this:
- It is impossible to legally acquire a wild cat in order to keep it at home, since this animal is listed in the Red Book;
- Wild Pallas cat kittens are often exposed to infectious diseases and die;
- Pallas cats are one of those species of wild cats that have not yet been fully studied by scientists. If an animal gets sick, it will be almost impossible to save it;
- Animals are distinguished by their indomitable temperament, unsociability and arrogant character, which can cause a lot of trouble;
- By keeping a wild cat at home, a person risks receiving considerable material damage: torn wallpaper and furniture, broken dishes and overturned flower pots, hairballs throughout the apartment or house. The Pallas's cat will not sit still quietly when living indoors;
- Pallas' cats have very aggressive behavior towards others. They will bite and scratch and may attack children and other pets. These animals will show aggression not only towards strangers, but also towards their owner.
Video
Sources
- https://kot-pes.com/manul-foto-svobodnyj-stepnoj-otshelnik-ili-milyj-domashnij-pitomec/https://animaljournal.ru/article/jivotnoe_manulhttps://koshkimau.ru/porody-koshek/ dikie/manul.htmlhttps://pipcat.ru/different/kot-manul.htmlhttps://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manul
Problems created by manul at home
The Pallas's cat is such an unsociable representative of felines that it would hardly have noticed the disappearance of animals and humans from the face of the earth. That is why people who decide to place this predator in their home should think carefully. Some, despite possible difficulties or due to a simple misunderstanding, still decide to get a Pallas's cat. In this case, they risk encountering the following problems:
- As mentioned above, this wild animal will constantly hide from its owner and avoid him, so it is unlikely that he will be able to enjoy communication with him.
- Dog owners are well aware of their behavior in terms of the fact that dogs at a young age spoil everything in the apartment. The same thing will happen with a Pallas's cat that finds itself in a home environment - it will damage wallpaper, furniture, curtains and other items.
- A sick Pallas's cat cannot be cured at home, and in veterinary clinics not every specialist knows this animal and the diseases to which it is susceptible so well, so there is a high risk that the Pallas's cat will be treated like an ordinary domestic cat.
- The long seven-centimeter fur of the Pallas's cat can become another problem. He sheds heavily and almost always. Shreds of wool will fly throughout the apartment. And in order to reduce their number, the manula will need to be combed.
Knowing about all the difficulties of keeping a manula at home, you should not rely only on your desire. There are cases when people, succumbing to an impulse, settled these predators in their homes, but very quickly realized that they could not tame it after all, and brought it to the zoo. But we can say with confidence that keeping a Pallas's cat at home is not recommended for two reasons: firstly, it can cause damage not only to a person's home, but also to himself, and secondly, the Pallas's cat is already on the verge of extinction, that's why keeping him in captivity is considered a very irresponsible act.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVXEDjXQBzU
Tamed manul
It is not for nothing that the Pallas cat is considered an exotic animal. It will not be possible to completely tame him. Therefore, even if you bought him as a small child, you should not count on him becoming a tame kitten. The instinctive isolation of the Pallas's cat from humans will be inherent in it even when kept at home.
And even if at a young age a kitten is still able to play with human hands, then after puberty this will no longer be possible, instincts will take over.
Increasingly, exotic animals are chosen as pets: lemurs, raccoons, salamanders, crocodiles, leopard geckos, snails, iguanas, chameleons, squirrels, jerboas.
Conditions for keeping
Of course, the best place to keep such a pet would be a private yard. The cat can withstand low temperatures, and the open space, trees and bushes will remind him of his natural habitat. In addition, in the yard it will be more comfortable for him to lead a nocturnal lifestyle and not disturb the owners.
He is absolutely not suitable for keeping in an apartment, since it is unlikely that it will be possible to provide him with conditions where he can hide and where he will not cause inconvenience when he goes out hunting at night. In addition, you must always remember that entering its territory is taboo for a person; he risks getting bitten and scratched.
Important! Despite its slowness, the wild cat has lightning-fast reactions and can attack an enemy without warning. His dissatisfaction will not be revealed by any external manifestations, because his muzzle always has an angry and wary expression.
Breed care
Like any wild animal, the manul is capable of caring for itself. It is unlikely that you will be able to accustom him to forced water procedures. The only thing you can try in terms of grooming is combing out the animal’s fur, which is almost constantly in a state of shedding. Owners of Pallas cats in their apartments feel this well, finding clumps of cat hair throughout their home every day.
What to feed a wild cat
What to feed the animal is one of the first questions that a person who is planning to get a Pallas's cat should ask himself.
In the wild, this feline feeds on the Daurian pika and small rodents. As a rule, it watches for them, hiding near their holes. It can also hunt hares, marmots, and birds. If food is tight, it eats insects.
Whether you can provide your pet with such food is up to you to decide. After all, there are big doubts that a wild animal will want to eat dry cat food or canned food. At the zoo they are fed meat and rodents.
Did you know? Manul was first discovered in the 18th century by naturalist Peter Simon on the shores of the Caspian Sea. It was named Otocolobus, meaning "ugly ear".
Manul at home: pros and cons
Among the advantages of keeping a Pallas's cat at home, perhaps, only one can be named - owning an animal with wild beauty, which gives the opportunity to observe its behavior.
There are many more disadvantages to keeping it at home:
- withdrawal from the person - which means that you are unlikely to be able to stroke, cuddle and hold him in your arms even at a young age;
- damage to furniture, wallpaper, household items;
- almost constant shedding;
- since a cat cannot be tamed and will still remain wild, its behavior is difficult to predict; it can show unexpected aggression even towards its owner and other pets if it thinks that they are encroaching on its territory;
- lack of access to medical care.
Homemade Pallas's cat: is it possible?
Manul is the only wild feline that is practically no different in size from domestic cats. And also prefers to hunt rodents and birds.
But why, seemingly very similar to a domestic cat, cannot take his place? And there are important reasons for this:
- The manul is a sole farmer who does not want to share his territory with anyone. All uninvited guests are mercilessly expelled, which means that eternal fights with the neighbor's cats are guaranteed.
- While still a kitten, the Pallas's cat begins to hunt. Babies receive their first lesson in the wild after they are only three months old.
At the same time, Pallas' cats can be found in many zoos, where they feel great. But keeping them in captivity undermines the immunity of cats. And so that the kittens do not die, primary vaccination of cats is mandatory, providing the necessary protection. In addition, until the babies turn three months old, the animals receive additional vaccinations against all infectious diseases every two weeks. And, of course, mandatory annual vaccination is carried out.
Family life of Pallas's cat
Pallas cat kittens appear only once a year. As a rule, a litter consists of 2….6 cubs. The mating season, as befits cats, begins in February – March. The “March” fights for the opportunity to own a female look impressive. Of course, timely castration of the cat would completely solve the problem of the domestic cat, but small predators appear regularly in zoos.
Pallas' cat mothers are very attached to their babies and care for their kittens very carefully. If it is necessary to protect the cub, the female is capable of attacking an enemy even larger than her. But at the same time, the mother does not hesitate to give her offspring a beating.
Hand cat: myth or reality?
Not a single attempt to domesticate Pallas' cats has yet succeeded. Being a small kitten, the animal can still be restrained somehow. But the baby is growing and the hunting instinct awakens. And now the cute cat is actively attacking everyone who, in his opinion, is encroaching on his territory. There is only one way out of this situation - transferring the baby to the zoo and under no circumstances euthanasia. After all, cats are euthanized only in cases where they are terminally ill. All other reasons are unjustified cruelty. It is not the predator’s fault that nature created it this way, capable of living exclusively in freedom.
House for manul
Pallas' cats prefer to choose hard-to-reach places for their den, for example, crevices among rocks or stones. Very often, the predator uses abandoned dwellings of foxes, tarbagans, badgers and corsacs as a hole. This is another one of the list of reasons why the Pallas cat cannot live in the house. It is completely unrealistic to recreate such conditions in a city apartment.
Features of the Pallas's cat
A manul living in a person's house does not become an ordinary pet . Unlike some wild cats, such as caracals and servals, which are completely domesticated, the Pallas's cat always remains wild, even if it begins to trust its owner. Because of this, if the cat decides that he is in danger, he will defend himself against the person who raised him, causing serious damage to him with teeth and claws that are much longer and stronger than those that domestic cats have.
It is generally accepted that a wild animal, if taken into a home as a child, gets used to its owner and after a certain time becomes completely tame. This statement does not apply to Pallas's cat. It is impossible to predict what kind of domestic cat the manul will grow up to be. Even if a wild kitten was given to be raised by a domestic cat, which raises it along with its kittens, you cannot be sure that, having matured, the Pallas's cat will not seek solitude, hiding from humans and the other cats with whom it grew up.
At the same time, there are also individuals who, growing up in a house, become devoted to their owner and maintain a close connection with them throughout their lives. Such cases are rare, and therefore, when deciding to have a Pallas's cat in your home, you should not rely on such exceptions in the domestication of a wild cat.
When deciding to keep a Pallas's cat, you need to take into account that, most likely, the animal will remain wild, although not aggressive. The Pallas' cat's behavior towards others at home will retain a character similar to its habits in the wild. The pet will try with all its might to minimize contact with humans, hiding in secluded places.
It is also important to remember that a cat needs a large area for walking. Due to the fact that the Pallas cat can easily leave the house and is not attached to it, for walks it is optimal to arrange and equip a cat enclosure, which will contain :
- house,
- lounge chairs,
- climbing structures,
- drinking bowl,
- feeder
If desired, it is possible to keep the Pallas's cat in an enclosure all year round. Animals tolerate low temperatures well when there is good shelter. To do this, you will need to properly insulate the cat’s house so that even in severe frost the animal feels comfortable.
Maine Coon kitten size
Maine raccoon cats are born quite large in size and weigh an order of magnitude more than kittens of other breeds. For example, if the weight of a newborn Persian breed varies between 125-150 g, then a Maine Coon kitten is born weighing 125-170 g. According to average statistical data, the weight of a newborn Maine Coon is significantly influenced by the number of kittens in the litter, therefore , the fewer kittens, the greater their weight.
The rate of growth processes and weight gain in a newborn directly depends on its gender, as well as the characteristics of the parental genotype. As a rule, kittens born from a physically healthy and massive cat grow and develop faster. The kitten's growth can be negatively affected by the cat's use of hormonal drugs that can provoke a pronounced endocrine imbalance.
In order for a Maine Coon kitten to gain height and weight correctly, it is necessary to comply with a number of requirements, including ensuring optimal sanitary and hygienic conditions in the place where the animals live, preventing stressful situations in the form of noise and temperature changes, and proper and balanced nutrition for the nursing cat and kittens.
The suckling period lasts from birth until four weeks, and is also characterized by constant and stable growth. In the first ten days, the kitten’s body weight doubles, and by a month the weight becomes approximately four times greater.
Description of the animal
Unlike other wild representatives of the cat family, sand cats are characterized by their smallest size and rather original appearance.
Appearance
The average body length of an adult varies between 65–90 cm, of which about 40% is the tail. The maximum height of the sand dune cat at the withers is no more than 24–30 cm. Males are slightly larger than females, but their body weight does not exceed 2.1–3.4 kg.
The sand cat is the smallest predator cat living in natural conditions.
The predatory mammal has a large and wide, noticeably flattened head with sideburns. Large and wide ears are completely devoid of tufts. The eyes are characterized by a yellow iris and slit-like pupils.
The dune cat has short and fairly strong, well-developed paws, and the feet are covered with coarse hair that protects the pads on the paws from burns when moving along the hot sand in the sun. The fur of the sand cat is thick and soft, so it can perfectly protect the body of a predatory mammal from low temperature exposure at night and overheating on hot days.
Color
The color of a cat's coat can range from sandy to light gray. On the back and tail you can see gray-brown stripes, which often blend in with the overall fur shade or look darker than it. There is a darker, more pronounced pattern on the head and paws. The tip of the animal's tail is dark, and on the chest and chin the fur is lighter than in other places. In the cold season, seals living in Central Asia grow a thicker coat, which has a dull sandy tint with a grayish coating.
The color of the animal helps it remain invisible among the sands and stones
Character
This pussy is characterized by modesty and secrecy. When moving to a new territory, it hides even during the day. In this regard, naturalist photographers look for the cat at night. The migration of an animal is a quiet process. If, nevertheless, a person manages to see a dune cat, then the latter freezes in place with his eyes closed so that their shine does not give away the animal. But during the hunt, the cat acts quickly and leaves no marks on the sandy surface. The speed of the animal can reach 40 km/h.
During the hunt, the sand cat moves quickly, leaving no traces on the sand.
Nutrition
It is common for this breed of cat to pull porcupines and lizards right out of the sand. Seals have an interesting ear structure and good hearing, so they pick up every rustle underground. Thanks to its whiskers, the animal senses slight vibrations in the air and follows the trail of a nest with chicks. In general, he tends to eat almost any prey that he manages to catch:
- gophers and gerbils;
- jerboas;
- monitor lizards and geckos;
- small birds with chicks;
- small hares;
- insects
Traditional dry or wet food intended for feeding domestic cats is strictly not recommended. In captivity, the sand seal can be fed the following fresh foods:
- poultry meat;
- beef;
- fish;
- a house mouse, if it is possible for the cat to catch it.
Photo gallery: foods that can be fed to a sand cat in captivity
Reproduction
At 9–14 months the animal matures for mating, which occurs once a year. Cats become pregnant in mid-winter, and give birth in early spring. Animals living in zoos have the opportunity to give birth more often, since it is easier for them to survive in captivity and all the animals’ energy is spent on procreation. During mating season, males and females make barking sounds.
A month after birth, kittens begin to hunt on their own.
A pregnant cat is looking for a den for her offspring. If she doesn’t find anything suitable, she digs a hole on her own. A cat can give birth to 4–8 kittens at the same time. 2 weeks after birth, the cubs’ eyes open, and a month later the babies go hunting for the first time. In captivity, seals live 10–11 years, but there is no exact figure due to the secretive lifestyle of these animals.
Content issues
There are only a few known cases when Manul behaved adequately at home. Usually a wild animal does not accept its owner, so it secludes itself or causes a pogrom.
The complexity of the content lies not only in its behavior, but also in its physiological characteristics. The cat sheds a lot because an apartment is not his habitat. Eating problems may also arise. In the wild, the predator feeds on rodents and small mammals, obtaining a sufficient amount of useful substances naturally. In order for the patient to feel comfortable, it is necessary to create a balanced diet for him.
As for the continuation of offspring, it will be almost impossible to find a mate for such a rare pet, and they cannot be castrated or sterilized. In the spring, Manul will “demand” mating, and it is unknown how hormonal disruption will affect his behavior.
Most veterinarians will not be able to treat an exotic pet in case of illness due to insufficient qualifications.
Maintenance and breeding
At first glance, there is nothing complicated about keeping Pallas' cat in captivity: wild cats can easily live in small spaces, and there is nothing unusual in their diet.
But in fact, you don’t see these fluffies very often even in large zoos, and they breed there even less often.
Manul is one of the most problematic cat species to keep in captivity.
Small kittens are difficult to raise: they often get sick. The worst enemy of babies is toxoplasmosis.
In the steppes, where the seals come from, there are cold winters and bright sun. They kill pathogenic bacteria and viruses, so Pallas cats do not get sick.
But a domesticated manul can easily catch some disease.
At four months, the Pallas' cat's hunting instinct awakens. Cats have long, sharp teeth and can bite painfully. It is difficult to explain to an obstinate pet, even one born in captivity, that you only wanted to pet him
If you still decide to buy a Pallas's cat, remember that you need to do it legally. This species is protected by law
At four months, the Pallas' cat's hunting instinct awakens. Cats have long, sharp teeth and can bite painfully.
It is difficult to explain to an obstinate pet, even one born in captivity, that you only wanted to pet him.
If you still decide to buy a Pallas's cat, remember that you need to do it legally. This species is protected by law.
However, he will make a very unique and strong-willed pet that does not like human contact.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=4vwfI7w2Lmc
Pallas's cat: a free steppe hermit or a cute pet?
The manul, whose photo is popular on the Internet, is a wild cat with a cute appearance. Its small size makes you want to buy it as a pet.
The Pallas cat has a charismatic, brutal appearance: small size, small ears, huge green eyes, long fur, strong body structure, luxurious tail.
This makes him a desirable pet among lovers of exotic pets. Is it worth keeping a wild cat at home and is it even possible?
Manul. A complete description of the animal and its way of life in the wild
The Pallas cat was first described by the German naturalist Peter Pallas when he met a cat in the Caspian steppes. As a result, the Pallas cat was given the second name Palasov cat.
The size of the Palas cat is comparable to the size of an ordinary domestic cat. The body length does not exceed 65 cm, the tail - 31 cm, and the weight of the Pallas's cat does not exceed 6 kg. It differs from the usual domestic “murka” only in its long thick hair, massive paws and unusual ears. Pallas' cat's ears are wide, rounded, placed on the sides of the head, from which tufts of long hair descend. The color of the coat varies depending on the habitat of the Pallas's cat. But in all the places where Pallas' cats live, their gray fur has white tips, resulting in the appearance of fur dusted with snow. 6-7 black stripes about 1 cm wide stretch across the back. The tail is gray, at the end black 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.
Wild cat manul
Unlike other small cats, the Pallas's cat lives in open places. These cats lead a solitary lifestyle and are active at dusk. Pallas's cat hunts mainly on mouse-like rodents. This is the slowest cat, it almost never catches up with its prey. After a hunt, the Pallas's cat likes to relax in its den; it is most often located among mountain gorges or in the burrows of other animals.
Only during the mating season does the Pallas' cat meet with females. After mating, the female brings kittens after 60 days of pregnancy. Babies appear in April or May. Most often, from two to six blind and helpless kittens are born in a litter, but it happens that up to 10 kittens are born in one litter, but more often there are 3 or 5 babies in a litter. The weight of a newborn Pallas's cat is about 70-250 grams and 12 cm in length. I begin to see babies on the 10-12th day of life. Already at the age of 3-4 months, kittens hunt on their own. Grown-up Pallas' cat leaves their mother at the age of 10 months; at the same age, female Pallas' cat can have their own cubs. Pallas' cats live for about 12 years.
The Pallas's cat is listed as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List. The Pallas' cat is also listed in the Red Book of the Russian Federation, the Republic of Tyva and Buryatia, and the Trans-Baikal Territory.
The number of Pallas' cats in Russia has recently begun to increase slightly. According to the latest data for 2011, about 10,000-13,000 individuals live in the South-Eastern Transbaikalia, namely in the Daursky Nature 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 the Pallas's cat are human activities: the use of pesticides to bait the rodents that the Pallas' cat eats, hunting, the use of traps, snares, and snares to catch other animals, the destruction of habitats, and keeping domestic dogs off-leash. Also, one of the reasons for the small number of the Palas cat is its natural enemies, eagle owls and wolves; they pose a particular danger to young individuals. The number of Pallas' cats may be reduced due to high snow cover up to 20 cm and prolonged ice conditions. Pallas' cats often die from various types of infectious diseases.
Now active work is underway to restore the population of the Pallas's cat and return it to the places where it once lived.
Features of reproduction
Sexual maturity in a wild cat occurs at the age of 10 months. Mating occurs from February to March. Females give birth once a year. The duration of pregnancy is 60 days. Typically, two to five kittens are born. Like their domestic relatives, they are born blind. Vision is gained only after 10-15 days. And already at three or four months of age they go hunting for the first time.
It should be noted that not all kittens survive. Babies are too susceptible to infectious diseases. In captivity, cave cats rarely breed. In addition, finding a mate will be a big problem for him.
Breed subtypes
Manul is the main breed that has its own standards of appearance. The breed has several subspecies, each of which differs in its color and habitat.
Siberian manul
The habitat of Siberian individuals is Mongolia, China, Tyva and Transbaikalia. The color of the animal is standard (according to the breed), gray shades predominate in the coat, with white inclusions at the tips.
Tibetan variety
These individuals are common in Tibet, Nepal and Kashmir. The peculiarity of the color is that the coat is darker with black spots on the body, black stripes run along the tail and head, as well as the back. In winter, the animal's fur is covered with silver spots.
Central Asian Pallas's cat
The habitat of this subspecies is Pakistan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan. Representatives of this subspecies have a distinctive coat color - with a pronounced reddish tint, in which ocher color predominates. Dark lines with precise boundaries run along the body and tail; the color of the lines is red.
Description
Outwardly, the Pallas's cat looks almost the same as an ordinary cat, but it has a denser body and thicker hair. Body length 50-65 cm, tail length 23-30 cm, weight 2-5 kg. The head is medium-sized, wide, the ears are round and small. The eyes are yellow, with round pupils that do not change even in bright light. On the cheeks there are elongated hairs – sideburns.
The coat color of the Pallas's cat is light gray with fawn and ocher shades, the hairs have white tips, which gives the impression that the cat is dusted with frost. In general, the animal’s fur is beautiful and valuable, so it has been the object of hunting for a long time. It was exterminated until it became an endangered species and was included in the Red Book of Russia. Currently, the wild cat is protected by law. This suggests that it is impossible to legally purchase a Pallas cat in our country.
Caring for Pallas cats
Pallas's cat (Felis manul or Otocolobus manul) is a wild animal belonging to the cat family and the subfamily of small cats. Its habitat is limited to Central and Central Asia. You can often find its other names - steppe cat, cave cat, Pallas's cat.
Thanks to its long and fluffy fur, it seems that the Pallas's cat is very large. In fact, its dimensions are: length - 52-65 cm, body weight - 2-5 kg. Tail length is from 23 to 31 cm.
Did you know? Pallas's cat has the thickest fur coat among cats - there are about nine thousand hairs per square centimeter of skin. Each of them can be up to 7 cm long.
The eyes are yellow. Their distinctive feature is that in bright light the pupils do not change their shape; they remain round, unlike domestic cats, in which they take the shape of a slit.
The fangs of a wild animal are three times longer than those of a domestic cat. The cheeks are covered with long hair forming sideburns. The Pallas' cat's tail is long and thick, rounded at the end.
The fur of a cave cat is gray with a reddish tint. The tips of the hairs are white, so it seems that the animal is covered with snow. There are transverse dark stripes on the back. There are dark spots on the top of the head. The end of the tail is painted black.
Males are usually somewhat larger than females. There are no other external differences between them. In the wild, Pallas' cats live on average 10-12 years. In captivity they can live a little longer. Thus, in zoo conditions, some individuals lived up to 20 years.
While exploring the Caspian steppes, a scientist named Peter Pallas was very surprised by such an incredible find. After all, he is the lucky one who saw the Pallas's cat first.
The ears of this representative of the cat family are indeed quite original in appearance, but are they so ugly? Most likely, the scientists were in a hurry with the name. There is another name for the Pallas cat - Pallas's cat.
The fluffy and beautiful fur of the Pallas cat brought him a lot of trouble: these cats were actively exterminated. Today the Pallas's cat is under protection, its photo is in the Red Book. You cannot hunt these cats.
In general, this cat breed has quite a few differences from the most common domestic cats. The length of the Pallas's body and tail, the shape of the skull and everything else is very similar to the classic cat standards common among pets. But the obvious difference is the length of the paws - they are short, and because of the very fluffy fur coat of the Pallas's cat, the limbs look plump, however, this can be said about the entire animal as a whole. The average weight of a Pallas's cat is about five kilograms.
This cat has very soft fur, it is long, fluffy and silky to the touch. Scientists say that approximately nine thousand hairs grow on one square meter of the Pallas's body. The fur of the Pallas's cat is light gray, and the tips are light. The tail usually has dark horizontal circles.
The tail itself is gray, with a black rounded tip. There are lighter hairs on the tips of this cat's ears. The cheeks are also covered with black stripes, most often there are two of them. There are similar patterns all over the body. The lower body of the animal is brown with light spots.
Since in the steppe area the weather is almost always windy, and the air temperature is most often high, the eyes of the Pallas's cat are developed in such a way that it constantly blinks - this way the eyes do not dry out. Although these animals live in natural conditions, their claws are not sharpened, but on the contrary, they are long and sharp.
In the wild, such an animal can live for approximately ten years, but in captivity, Pallas's cats often reach twenty years of age.
The size of the Pallas' cat is similar to that of ordinary cats, but its appearance is quite massive. It is worth saying that in reality these animals weigh half as much as ordinary domestic Maine Coons.
Animal standard:
- strong body;
- somewhat flat muzzle;
- gray wool with light tips;
- black stripes on the tail and body, the tail is black;
- lightened tips of the ears;
- two black stripes on the cheeks;
- large yellow eyes with unusual pupils.
Cat breeds
Today there are three varieties of Pallas's cat breeds known. They don't have any special differences from each other. Their body size does not differ, but there is a slight difference in the color of the coat.
Simple manul
As mentioned above, the coat color of the common Pallas's cat is light gray; this animal usually lives in the steppes of Mongolia, Siberia and China. At the end of the eighteenth century, this cat shocked the whole world with its appearance.
Description of Pallas's cat
The size of the Pallas' cat is not much larger than that of a domestic cat: it weighs up to 5 kilograms and its body length is about 65 centimeters. It looks larger thanks to its very fluffy, dense fur - this feature makes scientists think about the possible relationship between the Pallas's cat and the Persian cat. This breed of wild Pallas' cat has a specific, flat head shape and smooth body shape in common. The color of these animals is usually light gray, sometimes with white or yellowish patches. Pallas' cats live in the wild in Asia, Transcaucasia, China and Mongolia. The number of these animals is constantly declining, and the species itself is on the verge of extinction. But it is not known exactly how many Pallas' cat lives in the wild: it has a secretive nature and a variety of habitats.
The Pallas cat adapts well to life in the zoo; it is easy to keep in captivity, since it does not require heat or large cages. But it reproduces worse in such conditions, and many kittens die from infectious diseases.
Manul in the food chain
The Pallas cat animal is clearly not at the top of the food chain, although it is considered a predator.
This is all due to some of the slowness of the beast, its reluctance to enter into open conflict, and its inability to move quickly.
Cat's food
The animal's diet includes pikas, mouse-like rodents, hamsters, voles, gophers, hares, marmots, and various birds. The cat will happily taste the quail that did not have time to fly away, and in severe times of hunger it will not refuse even a cricket.
The hunting process occurs either in the morning, or in the evening and all night.
The manul cat hides in a place convenient for waiting for the victim, patiently looks out for it, and only then pounces on the careless animal. Short legs are rather a hindrance here, so he has a chance to catch prey suddenly: a wild cat will lose in a race
In winter hunting, warm, thick hair together with short limbs makes the cat clumsy, so the animal prefers to forage for food in open, windy spaces.
Enemies of Pallas's cats
The physique and habitat of the wild Pallas's cat makes their existence unsafe. Since cats prefer open spaces, they are open to the view of larger predators, which can be steppe wolves, eagles, golden eagles, and eagle owls. Feral dogs do not miss the opportunity to hunt a fluffy cat.
Nature can also become a serious enemy: if the winter turns out to be snowy, then for cats this means lack of food. Pallas cat kittens that appear by mid-spring can die from infections.
Humans are also considered enemies of the handsome man with a stern expression on his face. People are expanding their own land, making survival conditions more difficult - the food supply is shrinking, and there are more and more stray dogs. Hunters set traps for a hare and a fox, and the unfortunate manula cats fall into them.
Life in captivity
The Pallas's cat is completely unsuitable for life in captivity, so keeping it as a pet will not work. Difficulties with adaptation also arise in animals that end up in zoos. Due to severe acclimatization, the manul withers away, the protective functions of the immune system decrease, and the cat begins to get sick often.
After completing acclimatization, the Pallas's cat begins to feel freer in the zoo and quickly gets used to the enclosure allocated to it, which zealously protects it from the encroachments of other animals. In captivity, if conditions are created for him that are as close as possible to natural ones, the Pallas's cat continues to lead an active life, hunting game, which is its usual diet.
Kittens from a litter that are born in captivity have very weak immunity, often get sick for a long time, many of them live no more than 10-15 months.
Features of keeping a manula as a pet
Warnings not to keep a Pallas's cat as a pet have reasoned explanations. The representative of this cat world is absolutely wild and unadapted to life in society.
Even if you take home a very baby cat, he will not grow up grateful and affectionate, and will quickly forget about who fed him. Owners should expect outbreaks of aggression in their direction, as well as the fact that the cat will lunge at them and scratch them.
But, despite such negativity towards household members, manul is a breed of cats that have a calm and friendly character, and their aggressiveness is caused solely by their reluctance to be in captivity.
The manul in the apartment is like a pet; there are torn curtains, clothes and completely damaged furniture. In addition, the owners will spend nights without sleep, because the animal hunts, and does this mainly in the dark.
The owners will quickly fall out of love with the fluffy fur of the Pallas's cat, as it will constantly and actively shed. In this case, wool will be everywhere without exception, from clothing to cutlery.
The absence of constant snow, in which the Pallas's cat is used to caring for its coat, must be compensated by frequent water treatments and endless combing of its thick and lush coat.
If you want to have such an unusual cat, you should provide him with a vast local area, where he will feel much more comfortable than in an apartment. After all, Pallas' cats prefer solitude to society and, outside of hunting, spend time in solitude in their hole.
Nutrition
In conditions of captivity (living in an apartment/house), the Pallas's cat must be provided with its usual diet. The menu should include fresh and lean meat and fish, and the cat should regularly receive greens and berries. Pallas' cat consumption of industrial dry and wet food is unacceptable.
- fluffy cat breeds;
- the most beautiful cat breeds;
- most popular cat breeds.
How does a manul live and what does it eat?
Pallas's cat lives in fairly harsh climatic conditions, with low temperatures and sudden changes in weather. The Pallas's cat prefers low snow cover, as its short legs do not allow it to move through deep snow. Therefore, the wild cat Pallas's cat is most numerous in areas with little snow.
Pallas's cat lives in steppes and semi-desert areas of mountains, choosing places with thickets of bushes, the presence of stone deposits and rock cracks. In the mountains, the manul cat rises to 3-4.5 km above sea level. It is rare in lowlands and forest belts.
The Pallas' cat lives sedentary and solitary, usually being active at dusk and early in the morning. During the daytime, he sleeps, hiding in a shelter. The wild manul makes its shelter under stones, in old burrows of marmots, foxes and badgers, as well as in small caves and rock crevices. The Pallas's cat is a territorial predator that jealously guards its territory and does not like guests, so it expels any unwanted visitor.
The color of the Pallas cat serves this wild cat as a kind of camouflage, which helps him in hunting and allows him to remain unnoticed by prey. However, the manul cat is one of the most clumsy and slow representatives of the cat family. But excellent eyesight and hearing allow him to be a skilled catcher.
Pallas's cat feeds on various mouse-like rodents and pikas. Occasionally, Pallas's cat feeds on hares, birds, gophers and marmots. Manul catches its prey by cunning. He waits for her at the hole or watches for the victim, hiding near the stones, after which he attacks, making a sharp lunge. This wild cat is very careful when hunting. Pallas's cat is not able to run fast, so chasing prey is not his strong point. In summer, the Pallas's cat feeds on various large insects, in case of a shortage of rodents.
Despite its harsh appearance, the Pallas's cat is not aggressive. Pallas's cat has practically no enemies; only wolves and large birds of prey pose a danger to this wild cat. The animal Pallas' cat is not one of those who is in a hurry to start a showdown and repel the enemy. This cat is trying to flee and lie down in a shelter. But when the Pallas cat is caught by surprise and there is no escape route to the shelter, then he begins to snort menacingly and bares his sharp teeth.
How to buy and price
Purchasing a manul is quite an expensive pleasure. If we consider the question of how much a Pallas cat costs, then the price for a small kitten can start from $10,000, taking into account the fact that the animal is almost impossible to domesticate. It is also quite problematic with the legal acquisition of this breed, and not only in Russia. There are simply no nurseries engaged in breeding these predators in the CIS.
When deciding to place such a predator in your home, you need to really weigh all the advantages and disadvantages of this pet. No matter how outwardly beautiful this wild cat may be, he will always remain a wild and untamed animal; for him, a person is not the owner, he is just an ordinary companion.
Diet of Pallas's cat
The Pallas cat's menu does not amaze with its variety - it consists of small rodents and occasionally small birds. The plowing of steppes for agricultural land (in terms of preying on livestock) looks twofold: on the one hand, rodents try to leave these places, on the other hand, they begin to accumulate near livestock camps and are more quickly discovered by Pallas’ cat.
The traditional Pallas' cat menu includes animals such as:
- voles and gerbils;
- hamsters and gophers;
- tolai hares;
- marmots (young ones);
- pikas;
- partridges and chukars;
- larks and other birds building nests on the ground;
- insects (summer).
The manul waits for the victim near holes or stones: if the hole is shallow, he scratches the unfortunate person with his paw.
By autumn (October - November), Pallas's appetite increases. They eat one and a half times more and gain weight uncontrollably. In winter (December - January), interest in food disappears, and the animals eat every other day.
In zoos, cats are given meat in combination with green cereals and bone meal, but their favorite dish is carcasses of rodents/quails specially bred for these purposes. Pallas' cats are fed in the evenings.
Health and common diseases
An adult carpet cat has excellent health and rarely gets sick if it lives in its habitat. Changes in the usual way of life and climate negatively affect the physical and emotional state of animals. Even when kept as Pallas' cat cats in the zoo, they rarely live to a ripe old age.
Despite successful breeding in zoos, most of the cubs die from toxoplasmosis. Adults are also susceptible to this dangerous disease. Treatment of animals is very problematic; sick cats do not allow people to approach them, behave extremely aggressively, try to grab a hand or throat, which is fraught with very serious consequences, because their teeth are sharp and their jaws are strong.
Features of character and lifestyle
Photo: Jungle cat in the wild
The reed cat loves to settle near various bodies of water, taking a liking to their dense bushes and reeds.
He always behaves very carefully and quietly, trying not to make unnecessary noise and acting like a real experienced spy. The animal tries to avoid open areas. The cat does not like to climb trees, although it has powerful paws and sharp claws
The cat does not like to climb trees, although it has powerful paws and sharp claws.
Excellent eyesight and acute hearing help the swamp lynx not only to hunt successfully, but also not to be caught by ill-wishers
If a collision with an enemy is inevitable, the cat behaves courageously and aggressively, showing all its strength and power. An interesting feature of the jungle cat is that it loves to dive into water not only for the sake of hunting, but also in order to wash off its scent. This distinguishes him from domestic cats, which, on the contrary, like to leave it everywhere
This distinguishes him from domestic cats, which, on the contrary, like to leave it everywhere.
House loves to live alone on his territory; he starts a family only for a short mating period. The cat loves to have his own space where he feels free and serene. The territory of such a habitat can occupy from 50 to 180 square meters. km. Another interesting quality of the jungle cat is composure and patience. A cat can sit quietly for hours near its prey's hole, showing incredible patience and endurance.
It is possible to domesticate a predator, but it is a very labor-intensive task that requires great desire and diligence, because... The animal is very freedom-loving and independent, and has a rather stern disposition. Even small kittens stubbornly hiss and snort, showing their rebellious and tough character from childhood. It is worth noting that a domesticated jungle cat can recognize only one person as its owner, and will treat the rest of the family with caution and even aggression.
Possible difficulties and problems
Keeping wild cats is associated with many problems:
- Damage to objects. Pallas' cats resemble small puppies, which often damage various objects and shoes by chewing them. Due to its powerful paws and teeth, the damage that a cave cat can cause is quite significant. Having acquired this animal, it is necessary to remove expensive things from its area of action.
- Aggression towards children, if the kids begin to pester the pet, imposing communication, especially when trying to get the cat out of the den.
- Constant shedding. Molting occurs in spring and autumn. At other times of the year, wool is intensively replaced, so shreds of it will be in the house all the time. To reduce its amount, you need to periodically comb the animal, which can be very difficult.
- Hunter's instinct. This breed of cat is quite strong and excellently suited for hunting both small rodents and marmots; because of this, the pet poses a danger to other pets, in particular puppies of small breeds.
- Difficulties during treatment. Due to the specific behavior of the steppe cat when it develops health problems, the disease cannot be immediately identified. Also, due to the fact that the cat is wary of people, it is quite difficult to examine him even for a veterinarian. Another problem is that there are few specialists who know the behavioral characteristics of these animals. Therefore, the treatment of Pallas's cat will most likely be carried out in exactly the same way as with domestic animals, which is fundamentally wrong.
Fluffy charmer, or why can’t Manul be a pet?
The manul cat (Felis manul), which is the symbol of the Moscow Zoo, is a rare and poorly studied animal. This predator has lush, valuable fur, which gives the Pallas's cat a massive appearance. The Pallas's cat differs from ordinary cats in having a flat, blunt muzzle with whiskers - tufts of long hair on the cheeks. The Pallas's cat has short legs and a thick tail that looks like it has been chopped off. The pupils of the Pallas's cat are noteworthy - in bright light, unlike pets, they remain round. The color of the fur varies between light gray and fawn-ocher, with dark stripes and spots scattered across the face and tail. With a body length of 52 to 65 cm, manul reaches a weight of 2-5 kg. It appears large and heavy due to its thick, long fur.
Pallas's cat lives in a vast area from the Caspian Sea to Transbaikalia. Inhabiting steppes, deserts and mountainous areas, this representative of the feline chooses areas covered with rocks, stones and thickets of bushes. During the day, the Pallas' cat rests, preferring to stay awake in the early morning and in the dark. The cat's diet consists of mouse-like rodents; occasionally it hunts hares and birds. Short legs do not contribute to fast running, so the Pallas's cat prefers to hide its prey. It escapes on rocks and trees, but this does not happen often, since the Pallas cat has practically no enemies in nature other than humans. But he also tries not to catch his eye. Until now, due to the secrecy of this animal, its habits and lifestyle have been poorly studied.
The exact number of Pallas's cats is not known; in Russia it reaches approximately 2500-3000 individuals. In captivity, these cats are not frequent visitors. The Pallas's cat, even having grown up next to a person from birth, always remains wild and distrustful. There are known cases when Pallas' cats raised at home were transferred to zoos because of their aggressiveness. It has not yet been possible to achieve stable reproduction in captivity, although research in this direction has recently intensified. The Pallas cat is listed in the Red Book and measures are being taken to protect and reproduce it.
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External characteristics
Despite the similarities with the Persian and Angora breeds, the animal has distinctive features:
- ears are located almost at eye level;
- disproportionately short legs;
- fangs are 3 times longer than those of domestic cats;
- always a gloomy expression on the face;
- black transverse stripes on the body and cheeks;
- eyes are set wider apart than other cats;
- does not know how to meow, makes sounds similar to rumbling when he is dissatisfied or scared.
A striking difference from its domestic relatives: the Pallass cat’s pupils do not shrink from light
Pallas's cat in nature
This animal has a very difficult character. He prefers solitude, is secretive and cautious by nature. Among representatives of wild cats, the Pallas cat is the least agile and is used for fast, sudden movement.
Places of residence of Pallas's cat
The habitats of wild cats are mountains, foothills, steep low mountain ranges, crevices with a harsh continental climate, snowfalls and harsh winters. For such conditions, the animal has a fairly warm fur coat. Pallas' cats in the mountains can climb to a height of about 4.5 km above sea level. They practically do not exist in forest thickets. In open steppes, cats usually do not stop for a long time and look for nearby hills.
Pallas's cat does not linger in the steppe and forest thickets, he prefers the mountains
Life and food
This wild cat is a predator. He spends the day sleeping in a shelter.
Manul sleeps during the day, and in the early morning and at night he is energetic
At night it begins to hunt small rodents. The animal feeds mostly on mice and pikas; sometimes hares, marmots, gophers. During periods of pika depression, which occurs more often in the summer, the cat eats a wide variety of insects in huge quantities. In obtaining food, the Pallas's rivals are foxes, ferrets, and birds of prey.
Rodents are the main prey of Pallas cats
These clumsy and slow cats catch their victims near their holes, making an ambush there. Pallas' cat also hunts larks and partridges.
Pallas cat camouflages himself while hunting, waiting for his own victims in ambush
The wild cat makes its home in rock crevices, small caves, old fox and badger holes, under stones
A very important requirement is that the place must be hidden from human eyes, since humans are the key opponent for an animal of this breed. Therefore, wild cats cannot be seen near places where people live. From their enemies they climb rocks, trees, hide in gorges or holes
In an irritated state, cats are capable of emitting sharp sounds that are more reminiscent of the cry of an owl or a dog barking than the ordinary sounds made by cats.
From their enemies they climb rocks, trees, and hide in gorges or holes. In an irritated state, cats are capable of emitting sharp sounds that are more reminiscent of the cry of an owl or a dog barking than the ordinary sounds made by cats.
The Pallas' cat makes his home among stones, in burrows, and caves.
Reproduction of Pallas's cat
Because Pallas' cats lead a solitary life, in nature they are not found with their own family. In most cases, the Pallas's cat is limited to a gorge, hole, or cave with an area of approximately 4 m2. Mating occurs once a year, it begins in early February and continues until the end of March. The period of estrus in cats is very short. There will be no offspring if conception is not realized in two days.
Pregnancy in female Pallas' cats lasts 60 days. Kittens are born between the beginning of April and the end of May. Before the birth of kittens, females find a comfortable place for themselves, located in a hole or rock. Kittens appear, as always happens, blind. Pallas' cat babies do not have a distinct black color. Pallas cats rarely give birth to more than 6 kittens at a time; in most cases, there are from 2 to five kittens in a litter.
Pallas cat cats rarely have more than 6 kittens.
The weight of one child can be from 250 to 300 g, its length is ? from 10 to 12 cm. After about 14 days, kittens open their eyes and begin to explore the world around you with curiosity. And three months after birth, the babies begin to hunt on their own. At the age of approximately 10 months, a young Pallas' cat can reach sexual maturity.
Wild cat lifestyle
The Pallas's cat's habitat is in areas where low temperatures and a generally harsh climate, without much snow, prevail. He chooses mountainous semi-desert areas for housing, and may even be in mountains reaching a height of 4 km. The abundance of shrubs also applies to the preferences of the Pallas's cat. It almost never changes its favorite places; it settles in an abandoned badger or fox hole. Leads a twilight and nocturnal lifestyle, hunting strictly at this time. Pallas's cat cannot be called fast and dexterous; on the contrary, he is clumsy and slow. When he hides from enemies or hunts prey, he hides on a rock and waits. It is almost impossible to notice it, since thanks to its color it merges with the mountain nature.
The hunting of the Pallas's cat consists in the fact that it guards its prey at its hole, and when it hides and sits in ambush among the stones, it patiently waits for the appearance of a rodent. It happens that he comes across a baby marmot, a gopher, and also a hare. When problems with food arise and it becomes scarce, the manul begins to eat insects.
The mating season for Pallas cats occurs once a year and occurs in February - March. The female's pregnancy lasts 2 months, after which three-hundred-gram blind kittens are born, whose height reaches twelve centimeters. A maximum of six kittens are born at a time. Their eyes open after 10 or 12 days, they begin to hunt 3-4 months after birth, and become sexually mature at ten months of age.
Lifestyle and nutrition of Pallas's cat
The wild cat Pallas 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 crevices, 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 successfully hunts, but it is characterized by its slowness and clumsy movements.
The diet of the Pallas cat consists of pikas, mouse-like rodents, gophers, baby marmots and birds; the animal can catch a hare. During summer periods or times with little food, the animal may eat insects. The cat watches for prey near stones and holes. A cat cannot run fast; if danger comes, it hides. It runs away from enemies onto stones and cliffs; when alarmed, cats emit a hoarse rumbling or sharp snorting. Pallas' cat's appetite is average.
Housing of Pallas's cat
Over the past 15 years, the cat's habitat has acquired the appearance of isolated foci. Habitats include treeless desert mountains, arid areas, deserts and steppes, and rocky shelters. The animal's habitat is characterized by fragmentary grass and shrub vegetation, rocks, and low mountains with outcrops. It requires rocky outcrops and vast areas of bushes where the animal makes a nest and hides during the day.
The areas where the Pallas cat lives with little snow are characterized by a harsh continental climate, where temperatures in winter reach minus 50 degrees. Animals cannot move on loose deep snow, so they settle in areas with a snow cover no higher than 20 cm. Pallas's cat can be found at an altitude of 3-4.8 km above sea level. Wherever the beast is found, there are few of it.
Reproduction of Pallas's cat
The only reason when these hermit cats, Pallas's cats, do get together is for procreation. Their mating season begins in late February - early March, at which time males begin to look for a mate for mating.
It’s funny that just before “this thing” itself, males can gallantly court their tailed “lady” - throw food gifts at her paws and ferociously drive away other potential competitors. However, courtship does not last long, due to the short estrus in females, males need to have time to conceive children within a few days, if this does not happen, then pregnancy can no longer be expected this year.
Having done the job, the males leave, leaving all worries about the future kittens to the female. The pregnancy of a Pallas cat lasts 60 days; towards the end of this period, she looks for a secluded place where blind and helpless kittens are born. From 2 to 6 kittens are born at a time.
Pallas cat kittens weigh only 200-300 grams at birth. They are completely helpless and are under the full care of their mother. The mother manul takes care of her babies, feeds them with her breast milk, teaches them to walk, hide, and then hunt. By the way, manula kittens go on their first hunt by the age of 3 months, and at the 10th month of life they become sexually mature adult cats, after which they leave their mother.
Despite the fact that the Pallas' cat is extremely difficult to tame, there are exotic lovers who still risk getting a pet Pallas's cat. This is exactly what is at risk, since at home the Pallas's cat will behave wildly and unpredictably; if you try to pet it, it can easily scratch or bite. And you should definitely prepare for scratched furniture and torn wallpaper.
Also, the immunity of Pallas's cats kept in captivity deteriorates, they often begin to get sick, as if their very nature protests and demands a return to their native and wild steppes. Therefore, we highly recommend not keeping Pallas's cat at home.
Character and behavior
Creating the image of a wild cat, the imagination draws pictures of an unbridled predator, ready to fight and chase. The character of the Pallas's cat is very different from the usual associations.
This is an extremely cautious animal, not ready to risk its health for the sake of the most coveted prey. In case of danger, he will not rush to run headlong - this is not his strong point
He feels good in the early morning and early hours of the night. The rest of the time, the cat is lethargic and inactive, giving preference to sleep and rest, he saves energy for really important matters - obtaining food and preserving his life.
When answering the question whether it is possible to tame a Pallas's cat, one cannot give a definite answer: a wild cat at home is an unusually rare and little-studied phenomenon.
A few owners of pets of this breed say that the animal has a cool disposition, is non-communicative and aggressive. He quickly forgets the person who fed him and shows the nature of a predator from the age of 3-4 months.
The manul does not like company and games, and tries to avoid both humans and other pets. In response to stroking, he may scratch or bite strongly.
Perhaps the popularization of the breed will do its job, and after just a few generations of animals born in captivity, Pallas' cat fans will be able to safely acquire furry friends.
Character of the breed
Despite the apparent severity and aggressiveness, the Pallas cat is actually not like that. He behaves rather warily because he does not know what to expect from a person. Aggression can only be shown if a person violates the boundaries of his home.
The movements of a wild cat are slow and measured. The animal gets tired quickly, so it prefers to lie down rather than run. Even in moments of danger, he will hide, but not run away. Manul, unlike its domestic relatives, is not strong at jumping. He also rarely speaks and cannot meow. Only when there is a premonition of danger, in a state of anxiety, can it purr or snort hoarsely.
Is it possible to keep him at home?
Unlike its relatives, the Pallas's cat cannot be domesticated due to its indomitable nature. It is believed that if any animal is taken home when it is still a small kitten, it can grow up tame, with behavior no different from a domestic cat. But this is not about the manula. There are no guarantees that it will take root. Even if he is raised by a domestic cat along with his kittens, the manul will not be able to love them, and when he grows up, he will be aloof both from his half-sisters and brothers, and from people whom he has known since childhood. You need to know about this in advance before the manul appears within the walls of the house in order to make a decision for yourself whether such a wayward pet will suit you.
Breed Features
Outwardly, the manul is almost indistinguishable from a domestic cat. A medium-sized cat weighs about 4 kg. The illusion of the large size of the animal is created due to the abundant growth of fur.
For comparison: the popular Maine Coon is at least 2 times larger than the Pallas cat; The wool density of Merino sheep is 8800 hairs per 1 square meter. cm, for Pallas's cat this figure is 9000.
Maine Coon appearance
The animal's body is dense and muscular, its legs are short, and its tail is voluminous. The seemingly discolored tips of the hairs serve as camouflage during winter hunting.
The flat face and rounded shape of the ears suggest that Pallas cats are related to Persian cats. The animal's eyes are designed to prevent drying out: nictitating membranes ensure frequent blinking.
Kinds
At the moment, scientists identify several varieties of Pallas's cat - all their differences largely come down to one or another coat color.
Table 1. Types of Pallas's cats
| Name | Color |
Siberian | Light gray |
| Central Asian | From dark gray (summer) to silver (winter) |
Tibetan | Red, with pronounced red stripes |
Video - Manul: all about the unusual breed of cats
Why can't you tame the Pallas's cat?
It took humanity millions of years to domesticate the wild ancestors of the modern cat; gradually, naturally, the most sociable, good-natured individuals remained near people. Manul is a child of the wild, living in freedom. Like any free animal, natural conditions are close to him, where he is the master of the territory, hunting, swimming according to his own rules, without needing the patronage or tutelage of the owner.
Keeping a Pallas's cat at home is a wrong decision. For a wild cat, life in captivity will be dreary and joyless. They cannot be castrated or sterilized; the operation will lead to hormonal imbalances.
A person will receive as a pet an untamed animal that avoids contact with the owner, household members, and is capable of injuring children and other pets. There are a sufficient number of cat breeds, including rare, expensive ones, ready to become companions and loyal friends of the family, a source of pride and prestige.
Source
Lifestyle
Wild cats lead a solitary, sedentary lifestyle. They prefer to settle in rocky areas (hence another name - cave cat). Pallas' cats make dens in stone crevices; with their sharp claws they can dig a hole for their own housing. The animals carefully guard their home and drive away any stranger who looks there.
The love for rocky terrain and cold winters with little snow determine the range of animals: Tibet, Western China, Transbaikalia, Mongolia, Afghanistan.
Pallas' cats prefer a nocturnal lifestyle: they hunt only in the dark.
Pallas cats are considered the first cats to appear in the world.
The prey of wild cats are mice, small hares, small birds, and marmots. Nature has not blessed cats with quickness, so they can wait for hours for future food near their holes. In summer, insects and plants are added to the diet. All because of the same slowness, manulas themselves become the subject of hunting by larger predators. These felines cannot escape; when in danger, they hide or climb a tree.
Owner reviews
Ilya, 30 years old: “Actually, I didn’t intend to have any animals. Pal's cat was given away by friends and they were leaving. I thought it would be worse. But there are no particular problems with him. I live in a private house, there is a large yard, and the cat hangs out there all the time. He rarely comes home, eats and then comes back. Doesn't bite, doesn't scratch, can snort if he doesn't like something. And he doesn’t like my dog, but they hardly intersect.”
Maria, 25 years old: “Once, my husband and I did a noble deed: we saved an animal from a poacher. Later they found out that it was a Pallas's cat. He lived with us for a couple of months, ruined all the furniture, and scared the child. They gave it away at the first opportunity.”
Oksana, 32 years old: “I have long dreamed of a Pallas’s cat. I love cats, but I don’t have time to cuddle and play with them. I took a little cat, he was quite calm. Then she grew up (it was a cat) and began to demand a cat. I couldn’t find a mate, and my favorite’s character had completely deteriorated. She became angry, scratched and bit, the vet said it was a hormonal imbalance. I had to give it to the zoo, it’s a shame.”
