Jaguarundi

The Jaguarundi (Herpailurus yaguarondi) is a medium-sized Central and South American wild cat: length 30 inches (65 cm) with 20 inches (45 cm) of tail. It has short legs and an appearance somewhat like an otter; the ears are short and rounded. The fur is a uniform chestnut brown, but can range from grey to dark brown. Their coats have no markings except for spots at birth.

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These cats are more closely related to puma than smaller species of cats as evident by their similar genetic structure and chromosome count.

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Habitat is comprised of a lowland brush area close to a running water source where they have been known to fish successfully from streams and rivers. They will occasionally inhabit dense tropical areas as well. They are known to be crepuscular and nocturnal depending on location. These cats are comfortable in trees, but prefer to hunt on the ground. They prey upon fish, small mammals, reptiles and birds.

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The litter consists of one to four kittens. They are raised socially after a 70 day gestation. The kittens become mature at approximately 2 years of age.

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These cats are not particularly sought after for their fur, but they are suffering decline and extinction due to loss of habitat.

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Subspecies:

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• Herpailurus yaguarondi armeghinoi, Western Argentina
• Herpailurus yaguarondi carcomitli, South Texas and Mexico
• Herpailurus yaguarondi eyra, Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina
• Herpailurus yaguarondi fossata, Mexico and Honduras
• Herpailurus yaguarondi melantho, Peru and Brazil
• Herpailurus yaguarondi panamensis, Nicaragua to Ecuador
• Herpailurus yaguarondi tolteca, Arizona and Mexico
• Herpailurus yaguarondi yagouaroundi, Guyana and Amazon Rainforest

Some jaguarundi has been sighted around the Guiana Space Center in French Guiana http://www.cnes.fr/html/_1016_1020_2964_.php.

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Jaguarundi: External links ►



 

Central: Central is the name of several places:...

South America: South America is a part of the American continent traversed by the equator, with most of its area in the Southern Hemisphere. South America is situated between the Pacific Ocean and the Atlantic Ocean....

Otter: Amblonyx...