Pallas Cat is an high altitude wild cat species residing in the trans himalayan belt of himalayan range, from the union territory of Ladakh in north of India. Its often referred as the grumpiest cat in the world in many literature of wild life.Speaking about its physical features, unlike other cats, it has small square ears with a squarish flat head when seen in profile. It also sheds its winter coats in summer, like its peer species of cold arid regions of Himalayas. Its colors are perfect camo grey scales with light rufous tinge.
The habitat of PC is typically a rock amalgamation or say a typical rock clusters in the midst of meadowlands. It also uses rocky boulders of rock and stones to raise its young ones. It’s also known to use isolated grasslands part of meadowlands, particularly when it leaves its young ones in its old habitat, to fend for themselves, after they have grown up. Its observed using abandoned human structures like old abandoned houses, on s few occasions.In the winters, the PC is known to use its furry body as a perfect camoflouage, as the part of rock clusters, thus evading from the eyes of aerial predators like the Golden Eagle. It stays static for hours in sunlight cheating like a rock if seen from an aerial perspective.
PC remains in breeding duty and looking after its young ones for almost 100 to 110 days after birth, before finally leaving the existing territory for the young ones to thrive.
Some observations have shown that they migrate about 20 kms, to start a new family. And this time in a completely new habitat of meadows with short stunt grass. And there are no rocks or boulders in this new habitat. The habitat range of PC is roughly about 100 square miles. So its always a challenge to find this species outside its breeding periods.PC food is mainly rodents, voles, marmots and has typical behavior of using WIGGLE A TAIL, to divert the attention of its prey. Its a stealthy hunter, using a technique of rotation of body at the voles hiding spots.
Wiggling of the black tip on the tail, often has an hypnotic effect on its prey. In our observations, Golden Eagles and Steppe Eagles are its only natural dangers.
At Oriental Odysseys, we keep a regular monitoring of this elusive species, in tandem with the local youth, of this remote landscape of Himalayas. This also provides an extended hand in conservation of this magnificent species.
(the above behavior has been observed in July August months of 2016, 2017 and 2018)
LADAKH, INDIA
