Otocolobus manul
Keeping Warm
Fur coat
Pallas cat are very well-known for their thick, double-layered fur coat. Their full coat is their main advantage for survival living in the high plains and mountains. Since the temperatures can drop as low as -50°C and the snow can get as high as 8 inches, Pallas cat's heavily depend on the warmth that is helped to be insulated from their shaggy fur and puffy tail.
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Their spotted, gray coats also provide an extra factor for camouflage. It helps them blend into their rocky background while staying as warm as they can in their dens. The coat continues to regulate their body temperature as they wait to pounce upon prey or walk lengths of the plains. This species of wildcats never really shed either like some other species can because the need for the fur is so high and the temperatures never fluctuate so drastically.
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As with many beautiful and rare animals, Pallas cats are poached for their fur and also sold for it too. There are many organizations trying to establish safe terrains for them and protection.
Compared to all the wild cats. this species has the longest fur of all of them. The fur on their stomach and tail is two times longer than the hair on the rest of their body (redriverzoo.org). This combination of fur helps the cats stay warm. The fur on their tail also gives an extra advantage in that they can wrap it around themselves for an extra layer of insulation.
