Petrus—the charming Pallas's cat, who used to live in Korkeasaari Zoo.
He was born on May 21, 1998 in Korkeasaari Zoo to the family of Pushkin the Pallas's cat and Pavlova the Pallas's cat.
Petrus was given his name in Korkeasaari Zoo where he was born. At Korkeasaari Zoo, there is a wonderful tradition of giving newborn animals names beginning with a particular letter, moving on to the next letter of the alphabet each year. When this litter of manul kittens was born, it was the turn of the letter P. But their names were also united by another shared idea—the name Peter, which comes from the Greek “petros” and means “stone” or “rock”! Petrus is precisely Πέτρος, the Greek form of the name Peter. So his name points directly back to the very source of the whole idea—the Greek word for “stone”! Read more about the names of Petrus.
Unfortunately Petrus is not with us anymore. He passed away on May 14, 2008, he was nine years old.
Pallas's cats rarely live more than 5 years in the wild. In zoos under human care Pallas's cats live longer. Petrus lived a long and happy manul-life in comfort and being loved.
News about Petrus the Pallas's cat
Siblings of Petrus the Pallas's cat
Twin siblings born on May 21, 1998 in Korkeasaari Zoo to the family of Pushkin and Pavlova.
Younger siblings born on May 5, 1999 in Korkeasaari Zoo to the family of Pushkin and Pavlova.
Photos and videos of Petrus the Pallas's cat
Children of Petrus the Pallas's cat
On April 27, 2007 in Korkeasaari Zoo one Pallas's cat kitten was born to the family of Petrus and Solitaire.
Naming history of Petrus the Pallas's cat
In 1998 in Korkeasaari Zoo he was given his name Petrus. At Korkeasaari Zoo, there is a wonderful tradition of giving newborn animals names beginning with a particular letter, moving on to the next letter of the alphabet each year. When this litter of manul kittens was born, it was the turn of the letter P. But their names were also united by another shared idea—the name Peter, which comes from the Greek “petros” and means “stone” or “rock”! Petrus is precisely Πέτρος, the Greek form of the name Peter. So his name points directly back to the very source of the whole idea—the Greek word for “stone”!