• The Zoo currently has 3 Pallas’ Cats that are part of the Species Survival Plan. (SSP). Scientists and zoo professionals work together to help endangered and threatened species through cooperative breeding programs, research, education, fundraising and reintroduction.
• The Red River Zoo is the only Zoo associated with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) to successfully breed Pallas’ Cats consistently.

I am a mammal that is about the same size as a large house cat. I am distinguished by my short broad head and my low-set ears. My large eyes are set high, forward and we have large round pupils. My bushy coat makes me look larger than I actually am. I have a strong body with short legs that helps me to climb trees and rocks. My coat varies in color from light gray to brown and I have thick rings around my tail. Every hair on my body has a white tip which gives me a frosty look.

I am a carnivore; this means I like to eat meat like gerbils, voles, picas, and partridges. My favorite food is the pica, a small rabbit-like rodent. I am not a fast runner, so I ambush or stalk my prey.

Pallas’ Cats are native to the steppe regions of Central Asia where we inhabit elevations of up to 16,570 feet. The largest wild population lives in Mongolia in Asia. We live in dens, rock crevices and burrows.

I like it cold! It is natural for me to live in arid and cold climates with temperatures that reach 60 degrees below zero! I have the longest hair of all the wildcats. My belly and tail hair is twice the length of the other hair on my body. The longer hair adds extra insulation when I am lying on the frozen ground and snow. My entire body is covered with hair, even my ears, to protect me from frost bite.

I spend my winters in the freezing Himalayan Mountains. I naturally grow an extra thick coat to keep me warm and insulated. My nose is also very helpful. I have a large sinus cavity that warms the cold air that I breathe in. I also have a natural raincoat and my skin gives off an oily substance that protects me from fog and snow.