Otocolobus manul

The manul (Otocolobus manul) is a species of carnivorous mammal belonging to the family Felidae that inhabits the steppes of Mongolia, Siberia and Tibet, at elevations up to 5,000 m. s. no. m., where its abundant fur protects it from excessive cold and wind. It is sometimes called Pallas's cat, because it was classified by the German zoologist Peter Simon Pallas, in 1776, who named it Felis manul. Recently, it has been relocated within the genus Otocolobus —which was once created for it—, being the only representative of it. This short-legged cat has a plump and massive body, and a black-ringed tail, long and hairy Its fur is very variable in color, from ash gray to reddish. The black lines cross its body without interruption from one flank to the other. It is the only example of this coloration among felids.

The manul is a solitary animal, generally a lover of little light, as its preferred hunting time is between dusk and dawn. It feeds on pikes and birds. When it gallops it can be confused with a marmot. He establishes his refuge under a rock, and is the best feline climber. They have four to six young from a litter, and an adult weight of between 2.5 and 3.5 kg.

Taxonomy

Manul has a complex taxonomic history. It has often been placed within the genus Felis (along with most other cats). This oversized genus has subsequently been divided into many smaller genera, leading to a reclassification of this species, leaving it as the sole member of the genus Otocolobus (from the Latin prefix oto for ear, and from the Greek kolobus for shortened). However, by the end of the XX century, the manul was considered a close relative of the other species of the genus Felis and was consequently relocated inside. Finally, recent investigations have shown that it is closely related to the genera Felis and Prionailurus in the tribe Felini. As a result of these investigations, the The genus Otocolobus has been reborn and the manul has been reclassified.

Description

It is about the same size as a domestic cat, between 46 and 65 centimeters in length, in addition to a tail that measures between 21 and 31 centimeters long, and a weight that varies between 2.5 and 4.5 kilos.

It has several characteristics that distinguish it from other cats. For example, the eyes have rounded pupils instead of the slit-shaped ones of other small cats, the legs are proportionally shorter than those of other cats, the ears are kept very low and far apart, and they have unusually large claws. short. The muzzle is short compared to other cats, giving it an apparently flattened appearance. The short jaws have fewer teeth than usual among cats, the first pair of upper premolars being absent.

Because of its relatively flattened muzzle, it was believed to be an ancestor of the Persian cat breed, although this relationship is known to be false.

Its fur is ocher in color with dark vertical stripes on its torso and forelegs, which are not always visible due to its dense fur. The winter coat is grayer and has fewer stripes than the summer coat. It has black rings on the tail and dark spots on the forehead, and the cheeks are white with narrow black stripes, which run from the corners of the eyes. The chin and throat are also white, blending into the silky gray fur on the underparts. The black and white concentric rings that surround the eyes accentuate the rounded shape of his face.

Distribution and habitat

It lives in the Asian steppes, at elevations between 1,000 and 4,000 meters. It can be found on the eastern and southern shores of the Caspian Sea, north of Iran, India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Turkmenistan, west and central China, and Mongolia. It prefers rocky areas with relatively few trees, such as arid hills, steppes, and semi-desert areas.

Behavior and diet

Thought to be crepuscular hunters, feeding on small rodents and birds. They hunt mainly by surprising or harassing their prey, using low vegetation or rocky terrain to hide, as they are not very fast runners. They spend most of the day sheltering in crevices in the rocks or in burrows abandoned by other animals, although they have also been seen sunbathing during the day.

Like most cats, the manul is a solitary animal, rarely joining other individuals outside of the breeding season. Both males and females are territorial and mark their territory. This species of cat has a way of threatening that may be usual, which consists of raising its upper lip and showing its long canines.

Playback

Manul at the zoo in Zurich.

Their breeding season is relatively short, due to the extreme climate of their range. The estrous cycle has a duration that varies between 26 and 42 hours, which is also shorter than that of other felids. They give birth to litters made up of between 2 and 6 pups, after a gestation period of between 66 and 75 days, generally in April or May. These large litters could compensate for the high infant mortality in the hostile environment of their habitat. The young are born in sheltered burrows, filled with dry vegetation, feathers, and hair.

At birth, the young weigh about 90 grams, and are covered in thick fur that is replaced by adult fur at two months. At four months they begin to hunt, and reach adult size at six months. In captivity, it has been recorded that they can live up to 11 years.

In July 2020, in the Novosibirsk zoo named after RA Shilo 3 manula females brought offspring, 16 cubs.

Conservation

Like other exotic cat species, the manul has been hunted for its fur. Before becoming legally protected, tens of thousands of skins were obtained annually to their countries of origin (China, Mongolia, Afghanistan, and Russia). Today it is considered a benefit to the environment, since it feeds on species considered pests for agriculture. However, the poisoning of rodents and pikes can also affect the survival of this species of cat.

Successful captive breeding is difficult. Although it reproduces well, survival rates are low due to infections. This has been attributed to an underdeveloped immune system, as their natural habitat is isolated, and therefore they would not normally be exposed to infection.

Subspecies

There are three recognized subspecies of this species:

• Otocolobus manul manulin Mongolia, Russia and western China
• Otocolobus manul ferrugineain Iran, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan and Pakistan
• Otocolobus manul nigripectain Kashmir, Nepal and Tibet