Pallas's Cat Lab
You are about to meetthe real Pallas's cat
Round, grumpy-looking and tougher than it looks. Everything about the cat of the high steppes, in photos.
Explore the Pallas's cat world
Start here
What is a Pallas's cat? Classification, distribution, physical features, and lifestyleLife & Body
Why is the Pallas's cat round?Life & Body
Why Do Pallas's Cats Rest Front Paws on Tails? Cold Protection and RangeLife & Body
How big is a Pallas's cat? Compare size and weight to a house catLife & Body
Can You Keep a Pallas's Cat? Considering Treaties, Japanese Law, and DiseasesLife & Body
Where Can You Meet a Pallas's Cat? Japan's 8 Facilities by RegionJapan's Pallas's CatsSee all →
See them in Japan
Where Can You Meet a Pallas's Cat? Japan's 8 Facilities by RegionJapan's Pallas's CatsSee all →
The Pallas's cat in numbers
46–65 cm
26 cats, 8 zoos
5,593 mYou are about to meet the real Pallas's cat
A round face. A grumpy stare. A cloud of fur. Once you have seen a Pallas's cat, you never forget it.
This site covers the life of the Pallas's cat, why it looks so round, why it rests its paws on its tail, and where to see one around the world, all with photos. Available in Japanese and English.
Life & Body
Life & BodyWhat is a Pallas's cat? Classification, distribution, physical features, and lifestyleThe Pallas's cat is a small Central Asian wild cat. Learn about its family, size, diet, and conservation status in Japanese zoos.Life & BodyWhy is the Pallas's cat round?Why Pallas's cats have round faces: fur, legs, head shape, coat changes, and round pupils. Explained with zoo insights and research.Life & BodyWhy Do Pallas's Cats Rest Front Paws on Tails? Cold Protection and RangeThe Pallas's cat uses its tail to protect paws from cold, according to zoos. We summarize tail length, fur, and confirmed facts from zoo and IUCN sources.Life & BodyHow big is a Pallas's cat? Compare size and weight to a house catDiscover the Pallas's cat's size: 46 to 65 cm head-to-body, 21 to 31 cm tail, 2 to 5 kg. Compare to domestic cats. Based on research and zoo info.
Life & BodyWhere do Pallas's cats live? Country, elevation, temperature, and record in EverestThe Pallas's cat's habitat is explored by country, elevation, and environment. Learn about its 2019 record above 5,100m and why it's absent in Japan. Based on IUCN data.Life & BodyWhat Do Pallas's Cats Eat? Hunting Pikas and Zoo MealsThe Pallas's cat mainly eats pikas and small rodents. We explain why pikas are the most common prey in Mongolia, three hunting methods, and what animals in zoos are fed.
Life & BodyWhy Are Pallas's Cat Pupils Round? Differences from Other Small Felids and Eye SecretsThe Pallas's cat has round pupils, unlike most small cats. This unique feature, along with eye position and eyelid structure, plays a role in its hunting behavior.Life & BodyCan You Keep a Pallas's Cat? Considering Treaties, Japanese Law, and DiseasesCan you keep a Pallas's cat at home? The answer is no. I verified using CITES, laws, and toxoplasmosis risks.
