Jaguarundi

The jaguarundi is a wild cat with a small head, long body and short fur. Although its conservation status is Least Concern, it is Near Threatened in Argentina and Threatened in Mexico.

One of the cat’s most remarkable traits is its ability to communicate using up to 13 different sounds.

Even though it hunts on the grounds, it is a good swimmer and able climber.

Conservation Status: Least Concerned, but the population is decreasing.
Scientific Name: Herpailurus yagouaroundi

Interesting Jaguarundi Facts

  • Has an elongated body, short front legs, long back legs
  • Small ears, long tai
  • Climbs trees
  • Hunts during the daytime

About the Jaguarundi

The jaguarundi is a small wild cat that can be found in South America and southern North America. It is also called the otter cat and eyra,

There were originally several subspecies of Jaquarundi:

  • P. y. melantho (Peru and Brazil)
  • P. y. panamensis (Nicaragua to Ecuador)
  • P. y. yagouaroundi (Guyana, Amazon Rainforest)
  • P. y. ameghinoi (western Argentina, eastern Chile)
  • P. y. cacomitli (southern Texas, eastern Mexico)
  • P. y. eyra (Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina)
  • P. y. fossata (southern Mexico down to Honduras)
  • P. y. tolteca (western Mexico)

 

However, in 2017 a leading conservation organization now considers that they are all members of the genus Herpailurus, meaning there are no real subspecies.

Physical Appearance

The jaguarundi is related to the puma (cougar). It has short ears and legs, a long tail and long body. The coat is a solid color, either brown-red, brown-grey or black. The cat has very few or no markings on the face.
The jaguarundi wild cat
At one time it was believed there were different species of the cat due to the variations in their color. Eyra was the name for the cats with red fur. Cats with dark fur were called Jaguarundi.

Territory & Behavior

Jaguarundis roam from the southern parts of Texas, through Mexico, Central and South America.  Habitats include grasslands, brush (low bushes), savanna and forests. They have also been seen in mountainous areas. Jaguarundi mark their territory with scratching, urine and feces. They make many different sounds (up to 13), called vocalization, such as purring, yapping, whistling, chattering, screaming and chirping.

Learn about the jaguarundiHunting & Prey

The cat mostly hunts during the day on the ground. Prey includes rodents, reptiles, birds, opossums and rabbits. They will also eat vegetation and insects in small amounts. Jaguarundis generally live alone, and are usually spread out, so it’s hard to know how many are in existence because they aren’t seen very much.

Reproduction and Lifespan

Jaguarundis breed throughout the year. The female is pregnant for 70 to 75 days. There are one to four kittens in a litter. The dens are usually located in dense groups of bushes. The cat matures and becomes sexually active after two years. The Jaguarundi’s lifespan is from 10 to 20 years.

Conservation

The jaguarundi is not hunted for its fur or body parts. However, their habitat is being destroyed.