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SCIENTIFIC NAME: Puma yaguarondi
RANGE: Jaguarundis live in Central and South America. Farther north, some still exist in Mexico, but they are now very rare in Texas.
CHARACTERISTICS AND BEHAVIOR: Jaguarundis are slightly
larger than a domestic cat (8-16 lbs.) and move in a quick weasel-like
manner. They measure about 30 inches in length with a tail of
about 20 inches. In Mexico, jaguarundis are sometimes called
the “otter cat” because of its short, round ears,
long tail, and short, powerful legs. Their coat is a solid color
of rusty-brown or charcoal gray. They hunt mostly on the ground,
but also climb trees easily. Jaguarundis have been seen springing
into the air to capture prey. Jaguarundis are active mainly
at night, but also move around during the day, often going to
water to drink at midday.
HABITAT: Dense, thorny shrublands. Jaguarundis are highly
adaptable but prefer to live in lowland areas where there is
dense ground vegetation.
FAVORED PREY: Birds, rabbits, and small rodents.
PRINCIPAL THREATS: Loss of habitat due to the clearing
of dense brushland for farming or for the growth of towns and
cities. Jaguarundis are currently listed as a species of Least
Concern by the IUCN.
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© 2004 Wildlife Conservation Society.