Margays are the most nocturnal of all the cats of the Belize Rainforest. This cat is known as the "Tiger Cat" to the people who live in this forest. He is two feet long plus an 18" tail and weighs 20 pounds. The Margay lives most of its life in the canopy of the tropical forests. This small cat is well adapted for life in the tops of trees - it is the only cat with ankle joints that can rotate almost a 360 turn for it to climb headfirst down very steep trees. Their life span is unknown.

Being a very good climber, the Margay feeds on fast and small prey such as squirrels, opossums, rats, monkeys and birds. The Margay's eyes are extremely large and their eyes at night and extremely bright. Margays are rarely seen because they very secretive, and prefer the more remote and dense sections of forests in Belize.

The cat's breeding style is not very well known. Scientists don't know when they breed or how long the carry their young. They do know that the give birth to one to two cubs and that their mating is non-seasonal.

This cat is listed as an endangered animal, though the status of its population throughout its range from Mexico to Argentina is unknown. Belize is thought to have one of the healthier populations of Margays in Central America.

 

Animals of Belize