Jaguarundi Herpailurus yaguarondi
Credit:BIG CATS ONLINE

The jaguarundi is the uncommon cat being likened to a large weasel or otter - even its english name is 'otter cat'. Its short legs are sported by long and low body, measuring up to 77cm with a tail of 50cm. The head is small in proportion to its body size and has short weasel like ears and narrow brown eyes.

The overall coat color is dark grayish brown to almost chestnut brown. The cats found in dense forested areas are generally darker than these in more arid territories are.

The jaguarundi is native to Central America and the northern and central territories of South America down to Argentina. It is rare species in parts of Texas and New Mexico in the southern United States. Not many specimens can also be found in Florida, although these are descendants of a small population introduced to the area in the 1940's.

Genetic tests show that the jaguarundi is closer to the larger felids than to the smaller cat species. Some suggest that it can be a descendant of the ancestral puma, which is believed to have emigrated from Asia via the Bering Land bridge.

The subspecies inhabit varied regions - H.y.armeghinoi - Western Argentina, H.y.carcomitli - Sothern Texas, Mexico, H.y.eyra - Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina, H.y.fossata - Mexico, Honduras, H.y.melantho - Peru, Brazil, H.y.panamensis - Nicaraguar to Ecuador, H.y.melantho - Peru, Brazil, H.y.tolteca - Arizon, Mexico and H.y.yagouaroundi - Guiana, Amazon.

The jaguarundi prefers habitat with good cover such as forests margins and scrubland but it can also dwell areas with dense tropical vegetation. The cat can often be found close to running water and is an expert catcher of fish. The birds are a large part of its diet but it also hunts small mammals, rodents, and reptiles. It is active during the day and, in some parts of its range, at crepuscule. The cat is a good climber and it often rests in the branches of trees but it is mostly terrestrial in its hunting. Although a solitary hunter, the jaguarundi is often more social in the rearing of young.

After a gestation period of approximately 70 days the female bears between 1-4 cubs. The kittens, usually two in the litter are born spotted but these are lost at around three-four months of age. They reach maturity at about 22-24 months of age and can live up to 15 years.

Although the fur of the jaguarundi is not highly sought after by fur traders the cat is threatened by the deforestation and the loss of its natural habitat. In the United States the animal is extremely rare and is classified as an endangered species. Four subspecies of jaguarundi are listed in CITES Appendix 1 with the remaining subspecies in Appendix 2. The IUCN Red Book classifies the jaguarundi as 'Least Concern'.