The weasel-like jaguarundi has a long slender body, a small flattened head with short rounded ears, and short legs. They are closely related to the puma and are sometimes called Leoncillo “Little lion”, Otter cat, Yaguarundi, Gato Moro, Onza, and the Eyra cat. Unfortunately, not much is known about these cats as they are so elusive. Fortunately, these critters are listed as Least Concern by the IUCN.
First the Stats…
Scientific name: Puma yagouaroundi
Weight: Up to 15 lbs.
Length: Up to 2.3 feet
Lifespan: Up to 10 years
Now on to the Facts!
1.) They feed on rats, mice, reptiles, fish, birds, frogs, and even yearly white-tailed deer.
2.) Jaguarundis are one of the only felines to not have contrasting colors on the backs of their ears.
3.) The jaguarundi lives in brushy lowland areas with cactus, mesquite and other spiny plants. It’s also found in swamps and forests. They usually live near water. They don’t make their own dens, instead they’ll find a natural den in a cave, under a bank, or in tall grass.
4.) These cats are solitary but can travel in pairs.
5.) Jaguarundis are different in that they don’t have spots, unlike most other South American small cats.
But wait, there’s more on the jaguarundi!
6.) There are 13 distinct sounds made by this cat. They can make a variety of chirps, purrs, whistles, and even a scream. Plus more sounds.
7.) Their biggest threat is habitat destruction and human encroachment.
Did you know…?
They can leap up to 6+ feet in the air! This comes in handy when chasing after a bird!
8.) The jaguarundi breeds year round. After about a 75 day gestation period the female gives birth to 1 – 4 kittens. The kittens have spots that will disappear as the kittens age.
9.) They are predominantly diurnal (active during the day), but have also been spotted hunting at night (nocturnal).
10.) Jaguarundi are primarily terrestrial (spend most of their time on the ground).
Now a Short Jaguarundi Video!
Also, check out the Critter Science YouTube channel. Videos added frequently!
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Learn more about all kinds of cool critters, right here!
Added note….they don’t just hunt small rodents. Our Jaguarundi might be larger than most, because we have seen them hunt, kill, and eat a yearling White Tail Deer …not a drop of blood was spilled.
Apparently, our Jaguarundi are highly proficient at lightening fast neck breaking.
(which is good news for it’s prey.)
Thank you for your information. I’ll add that prey item to their list of hunted critters.
I’m from Uvalde Texas. I’ve heard rumors of their existence of Jaguarundi in the Leona River basin all my adult life.
Since I built a home on this river basin, I’ve seen 3 adults…one was a female with a litter of 3 cubs. The males looked like mini-Mountain Lions with Otter faces. The female was much darker and more spotted in a Jaguar pattern, and the cubs looked exactly like little Lion cubs.
Fascinating Cat!! And So Worth Saving!
i once “interviewed” a jaguarundi whom the canadian couple had acquired at a florida pet shop, being led to believe that it was a small kitten. . . he had the run of the house, which they had altered to accommodate him. his tail was astoundingly long. he chirped and purred. . . very long ago, still one of my fave interviewees.
Thank you for sharing! That does indeed sound like a great interview.
it was. it went out on the wire – canadian press. carried it across canada.
Thank you for your work and showing us these beautiful and amazing creatures.