Pallas’s cats are native to central Asia and are typically found in shrublands, grasslands, deserts, and rocky areas. These elusive felines are solitary and quite mysterious, often scent marking their territories to communicate with others. When they were first discovered, naturalists mistakenly believed they were domestic Persian cats due to their similar looks, but Pallas’s cats are much more unique!

These small cats have thick, long fur, a flat face, and a stocky build. Their small, round ears are set low on their heads, allowing them to hide easily and peer over rocks while keeping an eye on their surroundings. What sets them apart even more is their round pupils, unlike most other cats that have vertical slit-like pupils. They only weigh between 4-11 pounds, making them compact but strong.

Pallas’s cats are crepuscular—most active at dawn and dusk, though they sometimes come out at night. They are carnivores, preying on small rodents, marmots, lizards, and birds. They can make a variety of sounds, including yelps, growls, and even purring!

Dean & Brie,
Here at the zoo, we’re home to two Pallas’s cats—Dean and Brie. Dean is known for his love of hide and seek; if you’re lucky, you might spot him tucked inside his blue bucket with just his eyes and ears peeking out—a perfect example of how these elusive cats use stealth to stay hidden in their environment.

Brie, on the other hand, prefers lounging in her cozy Snack Shack den, keeping a watchful eye (and the occasional side-eye) on her surroundings. She’s also a big fan of the small prey items in her diet. Both Dean and Brie enjoy a specially prepared carnivore meat diet along with mice and chicks, closely mimicking what they’d eat in the wild.