Margay
The Margay, also known as the Long Tailed Spotted Cat, is similar in appearance to the Ocelot. Size wise, the Margay only grows to between 30 and 50 inches, and weighs between 9 and 20 pounds. In relation to its small body, the Margay displays longer legs and tail than its other feline relatives. The Margay also has extremely large eyes, which aids in its nighttime vision.
This elusive cat has escaped most efforts to study its complex life history, largely because it spends most of its time in the treetops. Like many other cats, these medium-sized felines usually rest during the day when most of their prey are hiding, then hunt from evening to early morning.
What is amazing about these animals is that unlike most other cats, Margays have become physically adapted to life in trees, with the ability to rotate their hind feet inward so that they can climb down trees as well as up (housecats, of course, often get stuck up in trees). The Margay hunts almost exclusively by night and its prey includes birds, small monkeys, tree frogs and insects which inhabit the
forest canopy. However it has been known to supplement its diet with fruit from the trees. Little is known of this small cat, but the pressures of hunting for its fur and for the pet trade has led the Margay to be threatened in many areas of its habitat.
Oncilla
Oncillas are one of the smallest cat species in the Americas, averaging around 5 pounds as adults.
Their coat is light brown to rich ochre or grey, with very dark brown or black spots and blotches. Their under-parts are lighter with solitary black spots. Limbs are spotted on the outside, and the long tail has spots at the root, developing into black rings. They are daintily built cats, with a narrow head and a white line above the eyes. The large ears are rounded and black on the outside with a conspicuous white central spot. The irises are golden or light brown. The fur is firm, lies close to the skin and does not turn forward in the nape region as it does on the other feline species.
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Oncillas are good climbers, and very agile in the trees, but they do not walk slowly down tree trunks in a headfirst position as does the Margay. Large oncillas and small margays are about the same size and share the same habitats, but oncillas generally take smaller prey. This allows them to share their ranges with the Margay with little competition for food. The limited information available on their food habits suggests that they eat rodents, small primates, birds, insects, and reptiles. They are thought to be nocturnal and solitary, except for mating.
Jaguarundi
This cat is unique in its appearance among the feline family in that it more closely resembles a weasel. Jaguarundi’s have slender, elongated bodies, short legs, a small flattened head, long "otter-like" tail, and a sleek, unmarked coat. Adults can weigh as little as 6 pounds or as much as 20. They stand 10-14 inches at the shoulder, and reach a length of 35-55 inches. Coats occur in 3 main color variations: black, brownish-grey, or red. Any or all colors can occur in a single litter, but generally the darker colors are found in the rain forest, while the paler color is found in the drier environments.
When it was originally discovered, it was thought that the red form of Jaguarundi was a separate species of cat from the other colors. This species was called the Eyra. However, it was found that both forms of cat could appear in the same litter, suggesting that they are the same species.
The Jaguarundis sticks close to the ground when hunting and sleeping. They also swim well, and have no fear of water. In fact, in most areas of the Caribbean they are known as the ‘Otter Cat’. They don't usually climb, but when they do, they don't climb very high. They seem to prefer eating birds (including domestic poultry), but will also eat many other small animals, such as rodents, frogs, insects, and fish.
Unlike their bigger feline cousins that tend to sleep with their arms sprawled out in front, and their tails stretched out behind, a Jaguarundi will sleep with their arms folded under themselves, and their tails wrapped around them into a cat-ball!
All of these small felines are timid, and generally shy of humans. If you happen to come across one in the wild, don’t be scared, as they will probably be more afraid of you!
Remember that as cute as they may seem, they are still wild animals and should be appreciated from afar! Exercise caution as not too startle or spook them, and you should be able to get a great photo or two!
Andrew Synyshyn
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