What is a tufted-ear cat?

Tufted-ear cat (_Otocolobus manul_) is a small, nocturnal wild cat native to the cold, dry rocky landscapes of Central Asia, including parts of Afghanistan, Bhutan, China, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. It is also known as the Pallas's cat.

The body length of tufted-ear cats ranges from 46 to 65 cm, and they weigh from 2.2 to 5 kg. They are characterized by their round face with big, wide-spaced eyes, and a bushy tail that makes about 23–31% of their total length. The color of their fur depends on the region, but it is usually grey or reddish brown.

Tufted-ear cats are solitary hunters, preying on small mammals such as pikas, gerbils, voles, and jerboas, and they occasionally hunt birds and insects. They are also very strong swimmers and can survive in very cold climates due to their thick fur.

Due to habitat loss and poaching, the tufted-ear cat is considered to be an endangered species, so international trade in tufted-ear cats and their fur is now banned.