Category talk:Otocolobus
= Otocolobus is the correct and current taxonomic name. The cat really can't help it if it is the only member of its genus. On the other hand, observing the manuls' behavior as compared to F. silv. lybica et al. suggests that the differences between them and the everyday moggie that sandbags our feet on cold nights might be more apparent than real.
There is a lot of mythology about how standoffish, solitary, and hostile they are toward every living creature including other members of their own species, but watching them interact on video gives the very strong impression that at bottom they are just cats. They growl, hiss, and snarl...but then gulp and swallow and run away to shelter in fear...which, since they are small and relatively slow, is a reasonable reaction.
In reacting to the keepers at the various zoos in Japan, they, especially the younger ones, swarm around at dinner time, leaping for the food, climbing the caregivers' trouser legs, playing tug-of-war, and trying to sneak through the doorway, all of which are standard cat behaviors. They love to roll in the dirt, develop personal relationships by being willing to wrestle one another, gang together to drive off aggressors, etc. Again, all standard cat behaviors (see the cats in the "waltersantindy" channel on youtube).
Though otocolobus is the current given name for the genus, it might be better on a number of levels to shift them from Pronailurus to Felis, e.g. F.Pallas.[subspecies] or perhaps F.petra.[ss[.., F.silex.[ss].., etc.
They are under threat from habitat and prey loss, predation, and disease, particularly toxoplasmosis. The cats breed readily, but the survival rate of the children is extremely low. The vets at the Cincinnati Ohio zoo have worked out a successful method to prevent the toxoplasma parasite from establishing itself: before the neonates begin nursing for the first time, they are scooped up and, after being checked over, put to the breast of a known-healthy, nursing lybica mother who will act as the disease-free wet-nurse during the whole nursing period. Once the babies are on solids, they can safely be returned to their birth mother for socialisation.
But it is very unlikely that zoos can by themselves overcome the threats to the cats. Once all the zoos are populated with cats who represent sufficient genetic diversity, we'll be in trouble. — Preceding unsigned comment was added by 2603:6010:450F:BD00:B49D:CF4:A901:8C6D (talk) 19:57, 30 May 2022 (UTC)