Oncilla

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Oncilla[1]

Conservation status
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Carnivora
Family: Felidae
Genus: Leopardus
Species: L. tigrinus
Binomial name
Leopardus tigrinus
(Schreber, 1775)
Synonyms

Oncifelis tigrinus
Felis tigrina

The Oncilla (Leopardus tigrinus), also known as the Little Spotted Cat, Tigrillo, Cunaguaro or Tiger Cat, is a close relative of the Ocelot and the Margay; its habitat is the tropical rainforests of Central and South America. The Oncilla is a nocturnal animal, which hunts for rodents and birds. The Oncilla grows to be about 40-50 cm (18" to 2') long, plus 30-40 cm (10-20") long in the tail. While this is somewhat larger than the average Domestic Cat, Leopardus tigrinus is slightly lighter, weighing 2-3 kg (5-10 lbs.), less than a standard domestic cat.

[edit] Subspecies

The following are the currently recognized subspecies:[1]

[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, 539. ISBN 0-801-88221-4. 
  2. ^ Cat Specialist Group (2002). Leopardus tigrinus. 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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