Jaguarundi

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Jaguarundi[1]

Conservation status
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Carnivora
Family: Felidae
Genus: Puma
Species: P. yaguarondi
Binomial name
Puma yaguarondi
(Lacépède, 1809)

Synonyms
  • Herpailurus yaguarondi
  • Felis yaguarondi

The Jaguarundi (Puma yaguarondi) is a medium-sized Mexican, Central and South American wild cat: average length 65 cm (30 inches) with 45 cm (20 in) of tail. It has short legs and an appearance somewhat like an otter; the ears are short and rounded. The coat is unspotted, uniform in color, and varying from blackish to brownish gray (gray phase) or from foxy red to chestnut (red phase). The two color phases were once thought to represent two distinct species; the gray one called "Jaguarundi", and the red one called "Eyra". However, these are the same species and both color phases may be found in the same litter. Its coat has no markings except for spots at birth. This cat is closely related to the Cougar as evident by its similar genetic structure and chromosome count; both species are in the genus Puma although it is sometimes classified under a separate genus, Herpailurus and until recently, both cats were classified under the genus Felis.

In some Spanish speaking countries, the Jaguarundi is also called "Leoncillo", which means "little lion".

Its habitat is lowland brush areas close to a source of running water. It occasionally inhabits dense tropical areas as well. It is crepuscular and nocturnal depending on location. This cat is comfortable in trees, but prefers to hunt on the ground. It preys upon fish, small mammals, reptiles and birds.

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.

This cat is not particularly sought after for its fur, but it is suffering decline and extinction due to loss of habitat.

The Jaguarundi has been sighted around the Guiana Space Center in French Guiana.[1]

[edit] Subspecies

[edit] References

  1. ^ Wozencraft, W. C. (16 November 2005). in Wilson, D. E., and Reeder, D. M. (eds): Mammal Species of the World, 3rd edition, Johns Hopkins University Press, 545. ISBN 0-801-88221-4. 
  2. ^ Cat Specialist Group (2002). Herpailurus yaguarondi. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. Retrieved on 09 May 2006. Database entry includes justification for why this species is of least concern

[edit] External links

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