5 List of South American Wild Cats You Need to Know

South America, also known as Latin America, is the fourth largest continent in the world. Geographically, South America is surrounded by two large oceans, the Atlantic (to the east) and the Pacific Ocean (to the west).

South America’s natural conditions are dominated by the two largest landscapes there, namely the Andes Mountains and the Amazon River, that has Arapaima gigas lives in there. In addition, in South America there is one of the largest jungles in the world, the Amazon Forest that has many wild animals in there.

South America has enormous biodiversity. Two countries that have the greatest biodiversity in the world, namely Brazil and Colombia, are in South America.

Colombia itself has some endemic animals native to Colombia. Brazil also has snake islands likes in Indonesia, but they are different.

One of the biodiversity in South America is the presence of various types of wild cats, ranging from small to large sizes. Then, what are the types of wild cats in South America? Here are some reviews for you.

Wild Cats from South America

1. Cougar or Puma

Cougar or often known by the name of Puma is one of the large wild cats in South America. This type of stray cat is the second heaviest cat in the world. Cougar’s habitat range is quite extensive, ranging from Yukon in Canada to the Andes in South America.

Cougar physical appearance, which has a length of 2.4 m for males and 2.05 m for females. In addition, the height of the Cougar calculated to reach the shoulder reaches 60-90 m. Cougar has silvery gray hair, reddish, to brownish yellow.

This cat is a type of cat that is able to move agile and fast. Cougar food itself is a type of ungulate, such as deer and livestock. Cougar is also a type of nocturnal animal that roams at night. His favorite habitat is dense bushes.

Not only Cougar, there are still nocturnal animals other than cougar.

2. Jaguar

Jaguar or Panthera onca is the largest wild cat species found in South America. Like Cougar, Jaguar has a fairly wide range of habitats, ranging from southwest USA to northern Argentina and Paraguay in South America.

Jaguar has a body length between 1.12 m to 1.85 m from the nose to the base of the tail. Meanwhile, Jaguar height ranges from 63-76 m to the shoulder. Jaguar is usually found as the top predator in their habitat.

The habitat that Jaguar likes most is the dense forest. However, Jaguar can also live in rain forests, dry grasslands, and wetlands. The Jaguar kills its prey by biting the head so that the brain function of the prey dies.

Although including a frightening animal, Jaguar is included in the IUCN red list as a species that is almost threatened. Its habitat is diminishing due to human greed.

3. Oncilla

Oncilla or also called by the name Tigrillo has the Latin name Leopardus tigrinus. Oncilla lives in habitats with altitudes reaching 4500 m.

Its habitat is also quite extensive which stretches between Central America and South America. Oncilla is commonly found in Brazil, Colombia, Peru and Ecuador.

Oncilla has a length of between 38 cm and 59 cm. Oncilla tail length is quite long because it has a length of 20 cm to 42 cm. The hair color of this species is quite varied, ranging from dark ocher to light brown.

Oncilla food is rodents, birds, lizards, frogs and other small animals. These animals tend to be nocturnal animals that are active at night.

However, not infrequently Oncilla also hunts during the day. According to IUCN, Oncilla is categorized as a vulnerable animal.

4. Geoffroy cats

This animal has the Latin name Leopardus geoffroyi. Geoffroy cats have a habitation in the central and southern parts of the South American continent.

Usually, these animals are found in Gran Chaco, Andes, and Pampas. This type of wild cat is often seen in habitats with a height of 10,800 feet and prefers to inhabit shrubs, grasslands, and beyond.

Geoffroy cats have a size similar to domestic cats. However, the Geoffroy Cat has ribbons and black spots on brownish to yellowish hair. The lower body of the Geoffroy Cat is white or cream.

This animal food is usually in the form of small animals, such as rodents, insects, lizards, and other small animals. Geoffroy cats have a gestational period of up to 75 days and breed between October and March.

5. Jaguarundi

Jaguarundi is also known as Eyra Cat. Jaguarundi has the Latin name Puma Yagouaroundi. The Jaguarundi habitat stretches from Mexico to South America. However, the last time Jaguarundi was found in the eastern Andes Mountains.

Jaguarundi is more sad living in the lowlands and tropical forests. However, not infrequently, Jaguarundi is also found at an altitude of 10,500 times.

This stray cat has a body appearance and an elongated tail with relatively short legs. Jaguarundi’s hair usually has a grayish or reddish color and has no spots or lines. Jaguarundi body length of about 53 cm to 77 cm with a tail length of 31 cm to 60 cm.

Jaguarundi usually eat small animals, such as rodents, lizards, rabbits, and others.

That was a glimpse of some stray cats in South America. There are many more types of wild cats that exist in South America. Hopefully this article can be useful and broaden your horizons. See you in the next article.