Conservation status: Near threatened.

Distribution: Central Asian steppes up to heights of 4000 m.

Appearance: With a sleek dusky grey coat and ochre around the paws and muzzle, the stripes of the manul are sometimes hard to see due to the thick fur. The fur changes between the seasons, being greyer during winter and less patterned (see photo). Unlike most cats, it has short legs and a bulky rump.

Size: It measures about 60 cm long with a 25 cm tail.

History: For a long time the Manul was hunted for its fur, but it is now protected in most areas, for instance in China. Since this cat feeds on agricultural pests, it is regarded as beneficial. However, poisoning of pest rodents and pikas may also affect the cat.

Common names/Species list:

Otocolobus manul manul - Manul or Pallas cat (Mongolia, western China)
Otocolobus manul ferruginea - Manul or Pallas cat (Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan)
Otocolobus manul nigripecta -Manul or Pallas cat (Kashmir, Nepal, Tibet)

 

 

 

 

Photo by KarinSturzenegger. Used with permission.