Scientists Find Elusive, Grumpy-Looking Cats Living on Mount Everest

[kpete]

Humans are famously obsessed with Mount Everest, the world's highest peak. Each year, climbers attempt to summit it. But Everest is about more than human visitors. A diverse set of wildlife lives there. In a scientific first, an elusive wild cat called the Pallas's cat has been discovered on Mount Everest.

Pallas's cat might not have the name recognition of a lion or tiger, but it's an incredibly photogenic animal. The cats are about the size of small domesticated felines and have rounded ears, stocky bodies and a perpetually grumpy expression. They are adapted to cold conditions in Asia.

A team of researchers embarked on a National Geographic expedition to Mount Everest in 2019. During the journey, the team collected Pallas's cat scat samples from two different locations in Nepal's Sagarmatha National Park on the mountain. The samples came from sites at over 5,000 meters (16,400 feet) in elevation.

The team published its findings in the winter 2022 issue of the journal Cat News. "It is phenomenal to discover proof of this rare and remarkable species at the top of the world," biologist Tracie Seimon said in a Wildlife Conservation Society statement on Thursday. Seimon was one of the leaders of the expedition.

https://www.cnet.com/science/biology/scientists-find-elusive-grumpy-looking-cats-living-on-mount-everest/?utm_source=fark&utm_medium=website&utm_content=link&ICID=ref_fark

[Ocelot II]

1. Squeee!

They are adorable, although I understand they are not friendly.

[Coventina]

4. They are super cute: Like if housecats tried to become tiny bears!

[Probatim]

8. Bearcatmonkeys - I'm certain the geneticists will prove that.

I expect they have deep philosophical conversations when the climbers around.

[EYESORE 9001]

2. Perhaps the best thing I've read today

They’re farther removed, evolutionary-wise, from domestic cats than, say, bobcats. Check out the pupils: round.

[Sanity Claws]

3. Head-shape reminds me of a badger.

Like a honey badger, don't mess with Pallas's cat.

[PJMcK]

5. You'd be grumpy, too

If you lived on the side of Mt. Everest!

[Ilsa]

6. Especially trying to find stuff to eat.

What else lives up there with the carnivores?

[Sky Jewels]

10. They primarily survive on Yetis.

[Ilsa]

12. Down along the Blue Ridge, we snack on Bigfoots. nt :-)

[Sky Jewels]

14. Same out here in Oregon.

[keopeli]

7. How wonderful! What a blessing from Mother Earth!

[debm55]

9. The cat is beautiful.

[kpete]

11. debm55

what i thought too

[Yavin4]

13. Quote from the cat...

"I was doing my level best to get away from you humans, but dammit, you found me."