What kind of cat is a manul cat? We will explain its characteristics, ecology, and habitat. The manul cat, which has a stocky body like a human, is distributed from central Asia to the Middle East, and is a cat that can be found in zoos. Unfortunately, they are now extinct in some areas and are in a critical situation.
What is a manul cat? About basic status
The manul cat is a carnivorous animal classified in the class Mammalia, order Carnivora, family Felidae. The scientific name is Otocolobus manul. The body length is 50-65 cm and the weight is 3-5 kg. The name “Manul” is Mongolian. It means “small wild cat”. In English, it is also written as pallas cat. It has a stockier shape than a small domestic cat. This cat is often talked about in the news.
| Japanese（和名） | マヌルネコ |
| English（英名） | Manul Cat |
| scientific name(学名) | Otocolobus manul |
| classification（分類） | Mammalia、Carnivora、 Felidae、Otocolobus 哺乳綱、食肉目、ネコ科、マヌルネコ属 |
| IUCN Status(保全状況) | LEAST CONCERN |
| Length（体長） | 50-65cm |
| Weight（体重） | 3-5kg |
About classification
There are the following subspecies of manul cat:
Otocolobus manul manul
This subspecies is found in Afghanistan, Iran, Kazakhstan, the People’s Republic of China (Gansu Province), Pakistan, Mongolia, Central Asia, and southern Siberia.
Otocolobus manul nigripectus
A subspecies that lives in Nepal, Bhutan, Tibet, and Kashmir.
Taxonomy of the Pallas’s Cat
| 分類階級 | 分類名 |
|---|---|
| 界 | 動物界（Animalia） |
| 門 | 脊索動物門（Chordata） |
| 亜門 | 脊椎動物亜門（Vertebrata） |
| 綱 | 哺乳綱（Mammalia） |
| 目 | 食肉目（Carnivora） |
| 科 | ネコ科（Felidae） |
| 亜科 | ネコ亜科（Felinae） |
| 属 | マヌルネコ属（Otocolobus）※単型属 |
| 種 | マヌルネコ（Otocolobus manul） |
About habitat
Its habitat ranges from the Middle East to Central Asia.
- Distribution
Widely distributed, mainly in Central Asia
Major Countries:
Mongolia
Kazakhstan
Kyrgyzstan
Tajikistan
Uzbekistan
Afghanistan
Northwestern China (Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, Inner Mongolia)
Southern Russia (Altai Mountains)
- Habitat
Prefers high-altitude, dry grasslands, semi-deserts, and rocky areas
Typically lives at altitudes between 1,000 and 5,000 meters above sea level
Environmental Characteristics:
Sparse grass and scattered shrubs
Provides hiding places in rocks and cliffs
In winter, it is active on slopes with little snow or in the shade of rocks
- Nests and Hiding Places
Rests in rock crevices, caves, and old burrows of small animals
Rarely digs its own holes
Securing hiding places is important to protect itself from predators
- Climate and Environmental Adaptation
Adapted to the cold climates of arid and alpine regions
Having a fluffy coat that allows them to be active even in harsh winters
Rarely found in tropical or humid forests, these animals are found primarily in dry, grassland, and rocky areas
feature is? What kind of creature is it?
Manul cats have a stocky build and are very sturdy. Their body hair is long and dense, giving them a plump body. The body is orange-gray, the ventral surface is whitish-gray, the limbs are ocher, and there is a brown horizontal stripe on the lower back. As the seasons change, the coat changes, and the winter coat is grayer than the summer coat. This cat can be found in rocky grasslands, steppes, and semi-deserts at altitudes of 400 to 5,000 meters.
- Physical Characteristics
Body Shape/Size
A small wild cat with a body length of approximately 46-65 cm and a tail length of approximately 21-31 cm.
Weight: Approximately 2.5-4.5 kg.
Face/Head
Round, flat face with a low, broad nose.
Ears set low on the sides of the head, making them nearly invisible.
Large, round eyes with developed night vision.
Coat/Tail
In winter, they have thick, fluffy fur, adapting to cold climates.
Back is gray to light brown, and the belly is light-colored.
Long, fluffy tail, used for balance and protection from the cold.
- Personality/Behavior
Predominantly solitary and do not form groups.
Timid and cautious.
When encountering predators or humans, they will quickly hide in the shade of a rock or in a burrow.
Patient and cautious.
Waiting for long periods of time before hunting prey.
- Biology and Abilities
Diet: Carnivorous, preying on small mammals, birds, and insects
Catches mice, prairie dogs, bird chicks, and insects
Nocturnal and crepuscular, resting in rock shelters or caves during the day
Cold Climate Adaptation
Thick fur allows them to be active even in harsh winters
Adapted to dry grasslands and rocky areas at high altitudes
- Special Abilities
High stealth capabilities
Approaches prey carefully, keeping low to the ground
Environmental Adaptability
Can survive in cold, high-altitude areas
Uses rocks and caves as hiding places
What is your personality like?
Manul cats are very cautious and cautious cats. Therefore, they tend to run away or hide in the shadows as soon as they see someone.
Pallas’s Cat Personality Characteristics
Timid and cautious
Sensitive to predators and humans
If they sense danger, they will quickly hide in the shade of a rock or a burrow
Primarily solitary and do not form groups
Prefers solitary living
Strongly territorial, they only interact with other individuals during breeding season or mother-child interactions
Values their living space and hiding places
Patient and cautious
Waiting quietly for long periods of time when hunting prey
Avoids unnecessary behavior and minimizes risk
Low aggressiveness
Mainly defensive behavior
Protecting themselves by curling up or hiding in the shade of a rock
Moderately curious
Move cautiously while observing their surroundings
If there is no danger, they will move around to search for food
What is the ecology like?
The manul cat’s prey consists of small pikas, rodents, rockfish, and other birds. Breeding occurs mostly in spring and autumn, and the gestation period is about two months. They can give birth to 2-6 puppies at a time. The lifespan is about 10 years.
- Habitat
Inhabits the highlands, dry grasslands, semi-deserts, and rocky areas of Central Asia.
Altitude: Adapted to altitudes of approximately 1,000-5,000 meters.
Uses rock crevices and caves as shelters.
Prefers open environments with shrubs and rocky areas rather than trees or forests.
- Behavior
Nocturnal and crepuscular (active from dusk to early morning).
Rests in rock shelters or caves during the day.
Generally solitary.
Strongly territorial, only interacting with other individuals during breeding season or when mothers and their young are present.
When hunting prey, it waits quietly for long periods of time and approaches in a low-slung position.
- Diet
Small carnivores (mainly small mammals).
Mice, prairie dogs, Japanese house mice, etc.
Also preys on bird chicks and insects.
Capture method: Patiently ambushes and captures.
- Breeding
Breeding season is from late winter to early spring.
Gestation period: Approximately 65 days.
Give birth to 2-6 calves at a time.
Mothers shelter their young in caves or rock shelters.
Calves become independent within a few weeks and learn hunting skills and territorial behavior.
Are there any natural enemies?
The manul’s natural enemies are birds of prey such as eagles, foxes, and wolves, which are preyed on by larger animals.
About Pallas’s Cat Juveniles
This article provides detailed information about Pallas’s cat (Otocolobus manul) juveniles (baby Pallas’s cats).
- Appearance and Characteristics
Immediately after birth, they are small and covered in soft fur.
Body Length: Approximately 15-20cm, Weight: Approximately 90-130g
Their round, flat faces are similar to those of adults, but their ears and tails are still short and their fur is soft.
They have gray to light brown fur, and the fluffy winter fur of adults does not develop until a few weeks later.
- Behavioral Ability
Immediately after birth, they live protected on their mother’s back or in a den.
For the first few weeks, they are mainly breastfed, with the safety of the den being their top priority.
A few weeks after birth, they begin to walk gradually and learn by observing their mother’s hunting and preying behavior.
- Diet and Growth
Initially, they receive nutrition from breast milk.
At 4-6 weeks of age, they begin to sample insects, small mammals, and other prey.
At 2-3 months of age, they begin hunting on their own and become more active outside the den.
It is also around this time that their fluffy winter fur and tail begin to develop.
- Sociality
Young animals depend on their mothers for survival.
They have little contact with other animals, and learning is primarily between mother and child.
Through play and imitation, they acquire patience, hunting skills, hiding techniques, and vigilance.
- Defense and Safety
They hide in their mother’s den to protect themselves from predators.
Since they lack armor and other defenses, their mother’s protection is key to their survival.
Is the manul cat an endangered species?
Manul cats are an endangered species. Manul cats were previously confirmed to inhabit Armenia and Azerbaijan, but they are now completely extinct. It is also rarely seen in Central Asian countries such as Uzbekistan and Tajikistan.
- IUCN Assessment
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List classifies the Pallas’s cat as “Near Threatened.”
This means that while the species is not currently extinct, there is a risk of population decline in the future.
- Population Status
Distributed throughout a wide area of Central Asia (including Mongolia, Kazakhstan, and northwestern China)
The exact population size is unknown, but it is declining locally in fragmented habitats.
Decline is particularly evident in areas of highland and dry grassland habitats where human activity is increasing.
- Major Threats
Habitat Destruction
Conversion of grasslands and rocky areas due to development, farming, and livestock farming
Hunting for food and pets
Captivity for the fur and pet markets
Decrease in small mammals, which serve as prey
Decrease in prey due to pesticides and ecosystem destruction
Climate Change
Vulnerable to environmental changes in highland and dry areas
- Conservation Status
Hunting is prohibited in some countries, and protected areas have been established.
Habitat protection is the biggest challenge, and research and monitoring are ongoing.
Can manul cats be kept as pets?
Can manul cats be kept as pets? Unfortunately it’s difficult. The reason for this is that, as explained above, they are an endangered species, and also because they are wild to begin with, so they do not easily get attached to humans.
- Legal Issues
Manul cats are wild animals, and in many countries, it is illegal to keep them as pets without special permission.
In Japan, they may be classified as a “designated animal” or “endangered wild animal,” requiring permission from the prefectural governor to keep them.
Internationally, import and export restrictions are imposed by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), making it difficult to even obtain specimens.
- Ecological and Behavioral Issues
Solitary, timid, and cautious
Easily stressed in captivity
Nocturnal and crepuscular, they are difficult to adapt to daytime human habitation
Highly predatory, requiring specific small animals and insects
Recreating their diet at home is extremely difficult
Limited environmental adaptability
They are adapted to high-altitude, arid climates, and may be unhealthy in warm, humid environments
- Theoretical Requirements
A large exercise area resembling the dry grasslands of highlands
A dark environment that allows for nocturnal activity
Providing hiding places such as rocks and caves
Preyable food sources, such as small mammals and insects
Wildlife management expertise and veterinary care
- Practical Alternatives as Pets
While Pallas’s cats themselves cannot be kept as pets, small felines suitable for the home include
Squirrel monkeys and ferrets (improved species of the mustelid family) that are practical pets.
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