prompter: How dangerous are Manul's to keep as pets? Rate their danger from 1 to 10.

assistant: Manuls, also known as Pallas's cats, are wild animals and are not recommended as pets. They are considered to be difficult to domesticate, and even when they are raised in captivity, they may retain wild instincts that can make them unpredictable and potentially dangerous.

While there are few documented cases of Manuls attacking humans, they are powerful predators and can inflict serious harm with their sharp teeth and claws. Additionally, their strong territorial instincts may lead them to become aggressive towards other pets or humans who they perceive as a threat.

Given these factors, it is not recommended to keep Manuls as pets. They are wild animals and are best observed from a distance in their natural habitat.

If I had to rate their danger on a scale of 1 to 10, I would rate it around 7 or 8, as they have the potential to cause serious harm if they feel threatened or are provoked.

prompter: Huh, I didn't know that. I'm going to go look up some pictures of Manuls, I've never heard of them before.

assistant: Saved you a search! Just pick your favorite search engine :)
- [Google](https://www.google.com/search?q=manuls&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiz0IKwybj9AhUEiv0HHSYaB1cQ_AUoAXoECAIQAw&biw=1839&bih=967)
- [Bing](https://www.bing.com/images/search?q=manuls&form=HDRSC3&first=1)
- [Duckduckgo](https://duckduckgo.com/?t=ffab&q=manuls&iax=images&ia=images)
- [Ecosia](https://www.ecosia.org/images?q=Manuls)

assistant: Manuls are fascinating and unique wild cats, known for their distinctive appearance and elusive nature. They are native to the grasslands and mountain steppes of Central Asia, and are well adapted to the harsh, cold environments in which they live.

Their unique features include their stocky build, long, dense fur, and expressive facial features, which make them a popular subject for wildlife photography and conservation efforts. However, it is important to remember that they are wild animals and should be respected as such.

assistant: A manul is not as dangerous as say a tiger, but definitely more dangerous than keeping a (domesticated) cat.

Given the following data:
|           | Manul                 | Cat                 | Tiger                |
|-------------------|-----------------------|-----------------------|------------------------|
| Average Weight | 2-4 kg (4.4-8.8 lbs) | 4-5 kg (8.8-11 lbs) | 90-310 kg (200-680 lbs) |
| Body Type       | Compact and muscular | Slender and agile  | Muscular and powerful |
| Prey                   | Small mammals     | Small mammals  | Large mammals   |
| Danger to Rabbit | Moderate               | Low                  | High                   |

I'd give them a solid ***6/10*** for danger as a pet.

assistant: I would rate the danger of owning a Manul as a pet as high, with a rating of 8 or above out of 10. I strongly advise against keeping Manuls or any wild animals as pets, as it is not only dangerous but also illegal in many places.

prompter: Why is it illegal to keep them as a pet?

assistant: Wild animals are typical illegal to keep as pets to prevent people from taking and keeping those animals from the environment and hurting the ecosystem, to prevent moving them and ruining other ecosystems (like the Australian cane toads), or for fears the animal may accidentally be mistreated. The pets themselves may require special care in order to survive, which is why there are exotic pet licenses. This care can include special diets, immune system considerations, and paying attention to unique behaviors. In some cases, the animals could be endangered, and taking too many from their environment could mean extinction.

Manul specifically are listed as "Least Concern". They have been known to form bonds with humans, and shouldn't be more dangerous than house cats due to their small size and temperament, and are largely solitary like house cats. However, they have poor immune systems compared to regular house cats and wouldn't be exposed to diseases like toxoplasmosis in their natural environments. If they were to be kept as a pet, they may get sick or die much more often depending on their new environment and presence of other animals, especially house cats.

prompter: There is a typo in your response. It should be "Wild animals are **typically** illegal".

assistant: It is illegal to keep Manuls and many other wild animals as pets in many places because they are not domesticated animals and require specialized care and conditions to thrive. Keeping them in captivity can cause significant stress and harm to their physical and mental well-being. Additionally, wild animals can pose a danger to their owners and others around them, as they are not accustomed to living in close proximity to humans and may exhibit unpredictable and aggressive behavior. In short, it is important to respect the natural habitats and needs of wild animals and not keep them as pets.

prompter: Isn't that true for every animal though? 
I mean the freedom of every animal, be they human or otherwise, should be guaranteed in a true equitable society, no? If not, what would make the one animal be "worthy" of having their natural habitats respected and the other not?