South American wild cats include both big cats (the cougar and jaguar) and small wild cats – the jaguarundi, margay, oncilla, ocelot, Pampas cat, Kodkod, Geoffroy’s cat and Andean cat. The wild cats of South American can be found in many different habitats, such as grasslands, rainforests and mountains.

map wild cats south america

 

More About South America

South America, the fourth largest continent in the world, is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean (east), Pacific Ocean (west) and the Caribbean Sea.

There are 14 South American countries:  Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Falkland Islands, French Guiana, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay and Venezuela. The largest country is Brazil. One of the driest places on earth is Chile’s Atacama Desert.

The country’s geography is dominated by the Amazon River and Andes Mountains. Other important geographical features include the Amazon rainforest, Brazilian highlands, Pampas plain, Guiana highlands, Pantanal wetlands and Patagonia.

Both North and South America were named after Amerigo Vespucci, an Italian explorer.

South America Wild Cat Species

Big Cats

Jaguar (Panthera onca) – South American jaguars are heavier than jaguars living in other regions. Like other jaguars, they are bigger than a cougar. The jaguars north of the Amazon river are different than jaguars south of the river. Their prey in South America includes the green anaconda (large snakes), capybara (largest living rodent in the world) and peccary (a pig-like animal).

Cougar (Puma) – also called mountain lions and many other names. Can be found throughout South America, excluding countries in the Caribbean. It has been estimated that 40% of their habitat has been destroyed or is threatened with destruction.

Small Wild Cats

Jaguarundi

margay

Oncilla

Ocelot

Pampas cat

Kodkod

Geoffroy’s cat

Andean mountain cat

 

South American Wild Cat Conservation Organizations

Groups and organizations working on big cats and small wild cats conservation in South America.


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