New Cat

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I love to watch documentaries about cats. It seems that each time I watch one I am introduced to another new cat. This one is really different. It is the Pallas cat. Usually, cats are more long and lean. Not this one. I would describe him as round. He has a stocky build and round face. Peter Pallas first classified the cat as Felis manul in 1776. Its more recent scientific name is Otocolobus, or 'ugly-eared'. Why I don't know for the ears are nothing if not nearly nonexistent. It is about the size of a domestic cat about 10 pounds, 26 inches in body length, and has an 8-12 inch long tail. The pupil of their eyes contracts into small circles whereas the regular cat contract into vertical slits. Elevations up to about 15,000 feet. They prefer arid and cold environments of rocky, flat, and unforested grasslands. They live in areas throughout central Asia, western Iran, and western China. Isn't he adorable? Image is courtesy of Google.