The Pampas cat (grass cat) is a small South American wild cat. The cat is named after a fertile lowlands (Pampas) region covering almost 290,000 square miles. Pampas cats can also be found in shrublands, grasslands and forests.
Scientific Name: Leopardus pajeros
Conservation status: Near Threatened
Pampas cat subspecies include:
- Leopardus colocola colocola (Central Chile)
- Leopardus colocola wolffsohni (North Chile)
- Leopardus colocola pajeros (Central, North Central and South Argentina
- Leopardus colocola budini (North West Argentina and Bolivia)
- Leopardus colocola garleppi (South Colombia, Ecuador and Peru)
- Leopardus colocola braccatus (South West and Central Brazil, Paraguay)
- Leopardus colocola munoai (Uruguay)
Lineage – The Pampas cat belongs to the Ocelot lineage, which includes the ocelot, margay, Andean mountain cat, oncilla southern tiger, oncilla northern tiger cat, Geoffroy’s cat, and kodkod.
Interesting Pampas cat facts
- It is named after the Pampas plain, a grassland in Argentina.
- The Pampas cat is a little bigger than a domestic cat.
- The cat’s scientific name was first proposed in 1782.
- The Pampas cat is found throughout many regions in South America.
- They are typically found in the lowlands, but have also been in the eastern Andes Mountains.
- The Pampas cat generally inhabits area where there is water, like marshes and swamps.
- They are sometimes compared in appearance to a domestic orange tabby cat.
- The spots on their fur can be white or brown.
More About the Pampas Cat
Desipte its broad range, the Pampas cat is considered somewhat secretive. There is also on-going debate about the number of Pampas cat species and subspecies.
Physical Appearance
Pampas cats have a small but stocky and strong body. They are larger than domestic cats and have thick fur that ranges in color from yellow-white to light brown to rust brown. The cat has a wide face, pink nose, and long hair. The fur can be plain or covered with dark bands and spots (rosettes). Some entirely black Pampas cats have also been seen. How the cat looks can vary depending on its age and location.
| Pampas Cat | FROM | TO |
| Weight | 6.6 lbs. | 8.8 lbs. |
| Body Length | 18 in. | 30 in. |
| Tail Length | 9.1 in. | 7.4 in. |
Territory
Pampas cats are native to Peru, Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Ecuador. They have also been seen in Colombia.
In addition to Pampas, shrublands, grasslands, and forests, the cat can be found in swamp areas, cold desert regions, and rocky places.
Pampas cats have been seen in areas up to 5ooo meters (around 16,000 feet).
Hunting and prey
Pampas cats mostly hunt on the ground. In some places, like the Andes, they only come out at night. The cats eat small mammals (mice, rodents, guinea pigs) and ground-based birds like the flamingo.
Reproduction and lifespan
Very little is known about the cat’s reproductive habits other than that litter sizes range from one to three cubs and that the breeding season occurs from April to July.
Conservation threats
Pampas cat threats include habitat loss, agriculture and ranching (livestock grazing) and retaliation killing when the cat preys on poultry.
The Pampas cat in culture
South American indigenous people consider the Pampas cat a symbol of earth and sign of fertility, and that killing the cat brings bad luck or even death.
Pampas cat research and quotes
“The pampas cat Leopardus colocola has been subject to conflicting classifications over the years. Currently, one polytypic species with seven subspecies is recognized,..The multiple lines of evidence… converged on the recognition of five monotypic species: L. braccatus, L. colocola, L. garleppi (including thomasi, budini, steinbachi, crespoi and wolffsohni as synonyms), L. munoai and L. pajeros (including crucina as synonym).” – 2021 Taxonomic revision of the pampas cat Leopardus colocola complex (Carnivora: Felidae): an integrative approach | Oliveira do Nascimento, Jilong
“This Pampa cat is endemic to the Pampas grasslands of Uruguay, western Argentina and southernmost Brazil. Originally, the Pampas had a long history of extensive cattle ranching; however, its fields have been exponentially converted mostly to soy fields in the last five decades. (Pampas cat) Species distribution models have shown a reduction in their area (1997–2022) of 42%, with only 31,808 km2 (19,764 square miles) of suitable habitat remaining.” – 2023 The Critically Endangered Pampa Cat ( Leopardus munoai ) on the Brink of Extinction in Brazil: The Little We Know and an Action Plan to Try to Save It | Mazim, Rosales, et al.
The other night I noticed my house cats all looking out the back window,when down by the bottom of our above ground pool I noticed….The most beautiful black footed very, very, short haired,spotted and ringlets,with dark stripes coming off both eyes to the jawline. Goldenrust in color with black spots,large ears, huge eyes. I’m trying to find its owner. Its almost surly someone’s loved pet,it ran right up to me,let me hold it,its been domesticated. If I sent you a picture could you identify what kind of hybrid it is? Its meow it quite distinct also. Thank you
Ariel Pedersen