Kodkod

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 Please help improve this article or section by expanding it.
Further information might be found on the talk page or at requests for expansion. (December 2007)
Kodkod[1]
Conservation status
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Carnivora
Family: Felidae
Genus: Leopardus
Species: L. guigna
Binomial name
Leopardus guigna
(Molina, 1782)
Kodkod range map
Kodkod range map
Synonyms
  • Oncifelis guigna

The Kodkod (Leopardus guigna), alternatively spelled Codcod and also known as the Guiña, is the smallest cat in the Americas.[3] It is found only in Central and South Chile and Argentina, in the Andes Mountains.[3] Little is known about this species, because it is extremely rare and very elusive.

The size of an adult Kodkod is 2–2.5 kg (4.5–5.5 lb)[3] with a typical length of 42–51 cm (16½–20 in) and a shoulder height of about 25 cm (10 in). Its coloring ranges from brownish-yellow to grey-brown with dark spots, with melanistic varieties (black forms) quite common. It has a pale underside and a ringed tail with black bands across its throat. The Kodkod has a small head, large feet, and a thick tail.

The Kodkod lives in evergreen temperate rainforests, deciduous temperate moist forests, sclerophyllous scrub, and coniferous forests particularly near water. Its most unusual characteristic is that it nests in bamboo thickets under trees.[3]

The primary prey of the Kodkod are small rodents, birds and insects. It has been reported to raid hen houses.[4]

Its gestation period lasts about 72–78 days. The average litter size is one to three kittens. This species may live to be about 11 years old.[3]

There are two known subspecies of this cat: L. g. guigna and L. g. tigrillo.[1] L. g. guigna is found in Southern Chile and Argentina. L. g. trigrillo is found in Central Chile.

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b 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 guigna. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. Retrieved on 9 May 2006. Database entry includes justification for why this species is vulnerable
  3. ^ a b c d e IUCN/SSC Cat Specialist Group (1996). Kodkod Oncifelis guigna (Molina, 1782). Retrieved on 2007-10-26.
  4. ^ Kodkod

[edit] External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to:
Wikispecies has information related to: