Common Questions About Pallas's Cats: 10 Key Facts on Size, Lifespan, Sounds, and Pets

10 Frequently Asked Questions About the Pallas's Cat

The most common questions about the Pallas's cat are grouped into about 10 themes. Body size, lifestyle, and how to meet them. This article answers each question briefly and links to more detailed articles.

First, here is a table for quick reference.

Q1. How big is the Pallas's cat?

The Pallas's cat is about the same size as a house cat. Head and body length is about 50 to 60 cm, and the tail is about 23 to 29 cm. Weight is 2.5 to 5.3 kg.

The Smithsonian National Zoo explains, "It is about the same size as a house cat, but it is stocky." Short legs, thick fat, and thick muscles. The reason it looks large in photos is due to its fur. For more details, see Pallas's Cat Size.

Q2. Why does the Pallas's cat look round?

The Pallas's cat looks round because its fur is long and dense. The Smithsonian National Zoo writes, "It has the densest fur among all cats." In winter, more fur grows, and it sheds in summer.

The thick fur is for keeping warm when lying on snow or ice. For more details, see Why Is the Pallas's Cat Round? .

Q3. What makes the Pallas's cat's eyes different from other cats?

The Pallas's cat's eyes are known for having round pupils. Most small cats, including house cats, have vertical pupils in bright light. The Pallas's cat has small round pupils.

Another feature is that its eyes are high up and its nose is small. It is thought that it looks out for prey by showing only its eyes in the snow. For more details, see Pallas's Cat Eyes.

Q4. What kind of sound does the Pallas's cat make?

The Pallas's cat does not make a "meow" sound. According to the Smithsonian National Zoo, it makes sounds like a growl, a low hum, and a short, high-pitched sound. When startled or scared, it makes a sound similar to a small dog.

Opportunities to hear it in zoos are limited. Pallas's Cat Sounds summarizes what people have heard.

Q5. What does the Pallas's cat eat?

The main diet of the Pallas's cat is the pika (pika), a small animal in the family of rabbits that live in highlands. According to the IUCN assessment, the pika is the most important prey in its habitat and makes up more than half of its food. It also eats small rodents like the hamster, small birds, and lizards.

The Smithsonian National Zoo writes that one individual can eat up to five pikas or mice per day. For more details, see Pallas's Cat Diet.

Q6. How long does the Pallas's cat live?

The Pallas's cat lives about 8 to 9 years in captivity (Smithsonian National Zoo). There are examples of individuals living up to 13 years. In 2024, the Hogle Zoo in Utah published information about a 13-year-old male named "Petenka" undergoing treatment.

In the wild, the lifespan is unclear due to limited research. For more details, see Pallas's Cat Lifespan.

Q7. Why does the Pallas's cat put its front paws on its tail?

The Pallas's cat sits on its tail or puts its front paws on its tail in cold weather. The Smithsonian National Zoo explains that this is to keep its feet warm. The tail is thick and covered with long fur, making it a natural blanket.

This behavior is often seen in zoos. Pallas's Cat Tail includes photos.

Q8. When are Pallas's cat kittens born?

The breeding season of the Pallas's cat is limited to a short period in early spring. According to the IUCN assessment, the breeding season is determined by the length of the day. The gestation period is about 74 to 75 days, and 3 to 6 kittens are born per litter (Smithsonian National Zoo).

Kittens in captivity are very vulnerable to toxoplasmosis. Zoos care for kittens while taking measures against this disease. For more details, see Pallas's Cat Kittens.

Q9. Is the Pallas's cat an endangered species?

The Pallas's cat is classified as "Least Concern" (LC) on the IUCN Red List as of 2020. From 2002 to 2016, it was classified as "Near Threatened" (NT). Although the classification has decreased, the population is described as "decreasing." The estimated number of mature individuals is about 58,000.

Threats include habitat fragmentation, poisoned baits for pikas, livestock dogs, and hunting. For more details, see Is the Pallas's Cat Endangered? .

Q10. Can you keep a Pallas's cat as a pet?

The Pallas's cat cannot be kept as a pet in a home. It is listed in CITES Appendix II, and international trade requires export permits. Although it is not explicitly banned under Japanese law, there is no legal way to obtain one. In captivity, kittens are prone to infections and even death, and even specialized zoos have difficulty in keeping them.

If you want to see one, visit a zoo. The reasons are summarized in Can You Keep a Pallas's Cat as a Pet? . Locations where you can see them in Japan are summarized in Zoos in Japan Where You Can See the Pallas's Cat .

Bonus: The Name and Anniversary of the Pallas's Cat

"Manul" comes from the Mongolian word, and in Japanese zoos, it is explained as meaning "small wild cat." The English name Pallas's cat comes from the name of the naturalist Pallas, who first described it in 1776. The scientific name Otocolobus means "short ears." For more details, see Origin of the Name of the Pallas's Cat .

April 23 is "International Pallas's Cat Day." It was established in 2019 by PICA (International Conservation Alliance for the Pallas's Cat). Zoos in Japan also hold events on this day. For more details, see International Pallas's Cat Day .

The information is as of October 2026. Since zoo exhibits change, please check the official information before visiting.

Sources

• IUCN Red List: Otocolobus manul (2020 assessment)
• Smithsonian National Zoo: Pallas's cat (species description)
• Smithsonian National Zoo: 10 Fascinating Facts About the Pallas's Cat
• Cat News Special Issue 10 (2016): Current Status of the Pallas's Cat in Iran (PDF)
• Hogle Zoo, Utah: Care of the Pallas's Cat "Petenka" (July 2024)
• Basso et al. (2005): Toxoplasmosis in Pallas's Cats (Parasitology)
• Nasu Animal Kingdom Press Release (April 2021, Kyodo News PR Wire, PDF)
• Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry: CITES Appendix (Animal Kingdom) (PDF)