Colocolo

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For other uses, see Colocolo (disambiguation).
Colocolo[1]
Conservation status
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Carnivora
Family: Felidae
Genus: Leopardus
Species: L. colocolo
Binomial name
Leopardus colocolo
(Molina, 1782)

The Colocolo (Leopardus colocolo) is a small striped cat native to the western central South America, ranging from Ecuador and Chile across the Andes Mountains into Argentina and some neighbouring countries. Little is known about the Colocolo's hunting and breeding habits; however, it is believed to be a nocturnal hunter, mainly preying on small mammals and birds. Recent taxonomic upheavals have split off two of its subspecies: the Pantanal Cat and the Pampas Cat.

The Colocolo is small, only 55 to 70 cm (22 to 28 in) and weighing 3 to 7 kg (6.6-15.5 lbs) on average. The fur color ranges from grey to yellow to dark brown and is covered with dark brown stripes. The litters average on two and the Colocolo usually lives to between 9 and 16 years.

[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, 538. ISBN 0-801-88221-4. 
  2. ^ Cat Specialist Group (2002). Oncifelis colocolo. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. Retrieved on 11 May 2006. Database entry includes justification for why this species is near threatened
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