Fact of life

Jaguarondi (jaguarundi) is a species of wild cat that resembles large otter in appearance. Because of that, it is also known as otter cat. Jaguarondi lives in Southern parts of North America, Mexico and South America. There are 8 subspecies of jaguarondi that can be found in wide variety of habitats: tropical rainforests, savannas, semi-arid areas, woodlands and swamps. Number of jaguarondis in the wild is decreased for several reasons. Farmers kill jaguarondis because they hunt and feed on their poultry. Jaguarondis often end up trapped in the nets set for other animals. Finally, habitat loss greatly reduces number of jaguarondis in the wild. Despite all this, jaguarondis are not listed as endangered species.

1. The jaguarundi is a very unusual cat that is often described as having a weasel-like appearance. It has a long slender body, short legs and a small flattened head with short rounded ears, the cat is often described as.
2. Sometimes referred to as the ‘otter-cat’, the jaguarundi is closely related to the puma.
3. One of the smaller New World cat species, they are about twice the size of a small house cat. Jaguarundis are unusual as they do not have spots, unlike most other South American small cats. This might be one of the most amazing facts about animals ever seen
4. Jaguarundis are very elusive animals and there is still a lot to be learnt about them.
5. Population numbers of the jaguarundi are much less than once thought. They live in very low densities and their shy nature makes it difficult to estimate their population size. Overall the population is in decline due to habitat loss to agriculture.
6. They have some of the most variable colourations of wildcats, with two main groups: a dark morph which includes cats with black, brownish and grey colours, and a paler red morph ranging from tawny yellow to a bright chestnut red.
7. For many years, it was thought the two morphs were separate species but it is now known that both colours can occur from the same litter.
8. Generally, it seems the darker morph is more common in rainforest habitats and the paler morph in drier environments.
9. Unlike most other cat species, the jaguarundi tends to be most active during daytime rather than dawn or dusk.
10. Jaguarundis are very vocal cats, with at least 13 distinct calls that include chirps, purrs, whistles and even a scream.
11. Choosing to spend more time on the ground than many other big cat species, the jaguarundi tends to hunt small mammals, birds and reptiles on the ground. They have also been witnessed to jump as high as two metres off the ground to swipe a bird from the air!
12. Jaguarundis have very large home ranges. Some males were recorded as having a range from 88 to 100km2! Females tend to have much smaller ranges – varying from 13 to 20km2.
13. The Texan population of jaguarundis may now only consist of a few remaining cats. Habitat loss has caused this population decline. Let’s discover some interesting science facts that will amaze you.
14. In parts of North America there have been some reintroduction efforts but these are hindered by the lack of scientific knowledge about the animal, its needs and behaviours.
15. The breeding behaviour is not well known; scientists are unsure whether jaguarundis raise cubs alone or as a pair. Females will have between 1-4 young which remain in the den for around 28 days.
16. The jaguarundi are not hunted for their fur like many other cats but they will often be caught in traps set for other animals such as the ocelot.