can i haz?

Ark in Space has an interesting feature on a species of wild cat of the steppes of central Asia that has essential remained unchanged for some twelve-million years, with the branching off of modern felines. The Manul (Otocolobis manul) is also known as Pallas’ Cat for the German zoologist working in Russia that was the first to scientifically study the animal.
Though the size of a house-cat, Pallas’ Cat has a stockier build and heavy coat for the cold environment. Due to human encroachment and poaching for its pelt, the animal is becoming more and more threatened. Despite size and appearance, it is also not one to be tamed and adopted as a pet—plus because it lives in a very isolated place and does not come into proximity with members of its own kind or any others for that matter very often, the cats don’t seem to have a very well-developed immune-system and does not do well in captivity. Be sure to discover out more animal curiosities at the link.