Interesting facts about manul cats
1. This species was first identified by the German naturalist Peter Simon Pallas. He did this in 1776. Initially, this cat was called "Felis manul Pallas". The word "manul" takes its roots from the Mongolian language and means "wild cat". When Pallas first described the species, he erroneously assumed that it was the ancestor of the domestic Persian breed due to its long coat, strong build, and flattened muzzle.
The current name "Otocolobus manul" was introduced in 1858 by the Russian zoologist and traveler Nikolai Alekseevich Severtsov. The word "Otocolobus" from the Greek language means "ugly ear".
2. When you look at this animal, the illusion is created that it is very large and stocky. Why do we saw illusion? The thing is that the manul cats seem much larger and heavier than they really are. If we could cut it’s fur, then an ordinary domestic cat would appear in front of us, about 80 cm long (including the tail) and weighing about 2.5-4.5 kg.
3. Unlike many cats, which have vertical pupils, the pupils are round in manuls. What causes this difference is still not clear. However, there is a pattern. Pupils in large cats are usually round; in smaller ones they are vertical.
4. Manuls have the longest and thickest fur of all cats. Their fur is almost 2 times longer on the belly and tail than on the top and sides. Presumably, this helps the Pallas's cats stay warm when they hunt on snow or frozen ground. The length and thickness of the fur also varies depending on the season: in winter it becomes longer and heavier, in summer, respectively, vice versa.
5. Manul cats go through two main coloring phases. In winter, their coat is more gray and uniform in color. In summer, more stripes and ochre hues appear on the fur.
6. These animals are solitary. Manuls lead a solitary lifestyle and show increased territoriality. Both males and females mark their territory. It should be noted that males occupy a larger territory than females (their territory often overlaps the territory of several females).
7. Pallas’s cats are nocturnal animals. They spend the day in their shelter. The shelter can be a cave, a crevice or a hole dug by another animal. When night falls, manuls go hunting. They are very skilled predators that ambush their prey.
8. The manuls life expectancy rarely exceeds 11-12 years. Mortality among manul kittens is very high. Approximately 68% of cubs do not reach adulthood. On the other hand, among adults, mortality is not much lower at 50%. Adults, as a rule, most often die in the winter.
9. They are characterized by a polygamous mating system, in which males mate with several females during a certain mating season. During mating, the male follows the female for several days, most likely to protect her from other males.
The breeding season runs from December to March. After the female becomes pregnant, after 9-10 weeks, from 3 to 6 kittens are born. They usually stay in their den for up to two months, until they molt and develop "adult" coats.
At the age of 3-4 months, the manul cubs begin to go hunting with their mother. At the age of 5-6 months, when they become adults, they leave their mother.
10. They prefer the cold and arid Central Asian climate. Manuls can be found in the steppes of Mongolia, Pakistan, China, the Central Asian part of Russia and in some other countries.
11. Manuls are rather clumsy runners and never move quickly. They usually move in short bursts and then lie down on the ground to avoid being noticed by prey and larger predators. Since these mammals are not very fast, they need to get very close to their prey in order to attack it.
12. Their diet is very varied. They feed on various types of reptiles (lizards, chameleons, etc.), insects, rodents, birds, and even carrion. Despite the fact that they have a fairly large population, they give each other large hunting territories in order to avoid fights for food.
13. Are manuls dangerous for humans? In general, they are dangerous for the reason that they are wild animals. But if you approach from the point of view of possible damage, then it will be no more than from an ordinary large cat. They are loners; therefore they react sharply negatively to strangers who have climbed into their territory.
14. Is it possible to tame a manul? In general, it is impossible to make pets out of wild animals, and manul is no exception. The Pallas's cat is very difficult to care for, as this animal has evolved to live at high altitudes.
Their body also needs exactly the diet that the animal can get in its habitat, and not in captivity. Manul cubs born in captivity also tend not to survive or survive very weakly. And finally, these are solitary animals; they are very reluctant to make contact with a person.
15. According to the IUCN Red List, the total population of Pallas's cat exceeds 15,000 individuals. The animal is not endangered.
16. Manuls can make a variety of sounds. They squeal or growl when excited. They can also purr.
Small, but stocky, aggressive and at the same time charming. All this is ideal for describing the Pallas’s cat (aka manul).
The Pallas’s cat is similar in size to a domestic cat, but looks much larger due to its stocky build and long, thick coat, which helps protect it in its frosty habitat. Its coat is especially thick on the belly to protect the cat from snow while stalking prey.
And today we decided to introduce you to this amazing cat. In the article we have collected the most interesting facts about manuls.
