Pallas Cat Movie Star

Pallas cats are known to be shy and reclusive. This one however, at an unidentified zoo, realizes, “Whoa! I’m on camera!”

Pallas cats are one of the many species of smaller cats found around the world.

The Pallas Cat, also known as the manul, is a stocky, solitary animal around the same size as a domestic house cat. You’re not likely to catch a glimpse of them in the wild, as they hang out in rocky crevices and dens in the Asian steppes at elevations as high as 15,000 feet.

In fact, because they are so acclimated to high elevations, keeping them in zoos at or near sea level can create problems, as their immune systems aren’t capable of fending off viruses that thrive at lower altitudes.

The Pallas cat is listed under CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) Appendix II (as Felis manul). Hunting of this species is prohibited in all range countries, except Mongolia, where it has no legal protection despite being classified as near threatened in the country. Trophy hunters can purchase hunting licenses to export trophies, from which U.S. $70 is allocated to the government.

(thanks for the post idea Barbara B)