A small wild cat with an elongated body and tail (more like a weasel than typical cat). Two color phases: dark gray-black and reddish-brown. Possibly extirpated from US; last verified Texas sighting in 1986.
§ Quick facts
§ Encyclopedia
The jaguarundi ; or is a wild cat native to the Americas. Its range extends from central Argentina in the south and much of South America east of the Andes, through Central America, and into northern Mexico. It occurred in the Lower Rio Grande Valley in south Texas as recently as the early 1990s but is now believed to be extirpated from the US. The jaguarundi is a medium-sized cat of slender build. Its coloration is uniform with two color morphs, gray and red. It has an elongated body, with relatively short legs, a small, narrow head, small, round ears, a short snout, and a long tail, resembling mustelids in these respects. It is about twice as large as a domestic cat, reaching nearly 360 mm (14 in) at the shoulder, and weighs 3.5–7 kg (7.7–15.4 lb).
Source: Wikipedia — Jaguarundi Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
§ Identification
Field marks. Long slender cat (resembling weasel-cat hybrid); uniform color (dark gray to red phases); long tail.
Similar species. Bobcat (different shape). Ocelot (spotted).
Voice. Various chirps, whistles, growls.
§ Diet & behavior
Diet. Birds, small mammals, lizards.
Behavior. Small wild cat of Central/South America with limited US records from southern Texas/Arizona historically. Probably extirpated from US; occasional reports continue.
§ Range
Historically southern Texas/Arizona; now mainly Mexico/Central/South America
§ Habitat
Brushy lowlands, riparian forests, mangroves
§ Threats
Habitat loss in remaining range, border fragmentation, vehicle strikes.
§ Conservation status
According to the IUCN Red List, the jaguarundi is currently classified as Least Concern.
§ What helps
Support south Texas brush country corridors. Donate to wild cat conservation groups. Don't kill on sight if you spot one.
§ Further reading
- Wikipedia — Jaguarundi
- www.fws.gov — authoritative profile of Herpailurus yagouaroundi
- IUCN Red List · taxon 9943
- iNaturalist · taxon 41995
- GBIF occurrence records
- Encyclopedia of Life — Herpailurus yagouaroundi
§ Sources cited
- IUCN Cat Specialist Group
- USFWS
- IUCN Red List 2014
