Jaguarundi (Felis yagouaroundi)

The Jaguarundi

The Jaguarundi (Felis yagouaroundi) is currently listed as endangered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Even though the Jaguarundi has never really been intensely hunted for food or fur, they are often caught in traps left for more profitable animals and are often killed for raiding farms for chickens. They are also in danger because of clearing of their natural habitat.

Jaguarundi are found in the southeastern United States in Southern New Mexico and Texas, all through Mexico, Central America, and South America. There is evidence that there is also a group of Jaguarundi living in Florida, although they are not native to that area. At one point, these cats were kept as pets and used to control rats and mice in smaller farming villages. They are often found in heavy brush and dense undergrowth, usually on the ground level, although they can be found in the treetops resting. They usually make their homes near a source of water and, unlike other big cats, are actually fond of the water and are very good swimmers. They can be found in many different environments, including forest, rainforest, woodlands, and swamps.

Jaguarundi have been nicknamed “Otter Cats” because of their resemblance to otters or weasels. The body is long and thin with short legs, a long tail, small head, ears, and eyes. The fur ranges in color from a dark grayish black to reddish-brown, depending on location. The Jaguarundi that live in rainforests and other more humid locations tend to be darker. At the shoulder, the cat is about 12 inches (30 cm) high and reaches a length of 21-30 inches (55-77 cm) and weight of 10-20 pounds (4.5-9 kg). The tail, which really resembles the tail of an otter, is almost as long as the cat, reaching a length of 13-24 inches (33-60 cm).

The primary food source for the Jaguarundi appears to be birds, although it varies from location to location. They have been seen to jump and actually knock birds out of the air. They are noted to be solitary hunters and will often eat fish, catching them with their front paws right out of running water or in pools where they have been stranded after flooding. They have also been noted to eat lizards, reptiles, frogs, rabbits, and other small mammals.

Although usually solitary creatures, Jaguarundi are far more social when it comes to breeding and raising of the young. They usually reach sexual maturity at about two to three years of age, able to leave their mothers at about 22-24 months. There is evidence to suggest that they breed twice per year and give birth around March and August. The gestational period is about 70-75 days, and litters are usually anywhere between one and four baby cats. The young Jaguarundi are born with spotted fur, and this fades after about three months.

Interesting Fact: Jaguarundi only have 36 chromosome pairs, unlike the other big cats who have 38. Because of this, they are thought to have emigrated from Asia across the Bering Land Bridge and descended from the puma.

Further Information on the Jaguarundi:

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Bibliography:
Jaguarundi. Encarta Encyclopedia, © 2000.
Jaguarundi (Felis yagouaroundi). Accessed 08/20/04 at http://www.nsrl.ttu.edu/tmot1/feliyago.htm
Jaguarundi. Accessed 08/20/04 at http://www.bigcatrescue.org/jaguarundi.htm
Jaguarundi. Accessed 08/20/04 at http://dspace.dial.pipex.com/agarman/bco/jundi.htm.