The jaguarundi is a small, intriguing wild cat species native to the Americas that often goes unnoticed compared to its larger, more famous feline relatives. Classified scientifically as Herpailurus yagouaroundi, this creature represents a unique branch of the Felidae family, being more closely related to the puma and cheetah lineage than to other small Neotropical cats. Its secretive nature and unusual appearance have contributed to its lesser-known status among the world’s wild cats. Understanding the jaguarundi requires looking beyond the typical spotted cat image and appreciating its specialized adaptations for life in the dense undergrowth.
The Unconventional Feline: Physical Profile
The jaguarundi’s physical form distinctly sets it apart from other small American felines, earning it the nickname “otter cat” in parts of its range. Its body is slender and elongated, supported by relatively short limbs, giving it a mustelid-like or weasel-like appearance. It has a small, flattened head, a short snout, and small, rounded ears set wide apart.
Adult jaguarundis are approximately twice the size of a domestic house cat, typically weighing between 3.5 and 7 kilograms, with a shoulder height of around 35 centimeters. A long, muscular tail, which can measure up to 60 centimeters, aids in balance. The coat is unspotted and short, presenting one of the species’ most interesting features: color polymorphism.
Jaguarundis exhibit two distinct color phases that can occur within the same litter and interbreed freely across the population. One morph is a dark grayish-black, while the other is a reddish or chestnut hue, which was historically mistaken for two separate species. The reddish phase tends to be more prevalent in drier, open habitats, while the darker phase is found in denser, wetter environments.
Geographic Range and Preferred Environments
The distribution of the jaguarundi is broad, making it one of the most widespread small felines in the Western Hemisphere, second only to the cougar in the latitudinal extent of its range. Its habitat extends from central Argentina, through South and Central America, and north into Mexico. Rare, fragmented populations have been reported in the border regions of the southern United States, particularly in Texas and Arizona, and some introduced populations in Florida.
The species demonstrates high adaptability, inhabiting environments from sea level up to 3,200 meters in elevation. Jaguarundis are associated with areas providing dense ground cover, such as thorn scrub, riparian thickets, wet grasslands, and secondary forests. Their preference for dense vegetation is often near running water, highlighting the importance of riparian corridors for movement and survival. This flexibility allows the cat to thrive in both pristine and human-modified landscapes, including forest edges and agricultural mosaics, provided sufficient cover is present.
Daily Life and Hunting Habits
A defining characteristic of the jaguarundi’s behavior is its tendency toward diurnal activity, which is unusual among most other small cat species that are primarily nocturnal. Peak activity occurs in the mid-morning and late afternoon, allowing the jaguarundi to minimize direct competition with larger, night-active predators like the ocelot. Although they are adept climbers, their hunting is mainly terrestrial, where they move with a low, weasel-like gait, stalking prey in the undergrowth.
The jaguarundi is a generalist predator, feeding mostly on small animals weighing less than one kilogram. Their prey includes small mammals such as rodents and rabbits, ground-feeding birds, and reptiles like lizards and iguanas. Unusually for a cat, the jaguarundi frequently supplements its carnivorous diet with plant matter, including grasses and fruits. The cat is also an accomplished swimmer, utilizing this skill to cross medium-sized rivers and occasionally pursue fish.
Communication in this solitary animal is complex, featuring at least 13 recorded vocalizations. These sounds range from purrs, whistles, and chirps—sometimes described as bird-like—to screams and chatters, used for territorial marking and mating. This extensive vocal repertoire is important for communication across the large, sparsely populated home ranges that individuals maintain.
Conservation Concerns and Population Status
Globally, the jaguarundi is listed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as a species of Least Concern. This status is largely influenced by its extensive range and relative adaptability. However, this designation can be misleading, as population densities are generally low, often recorded at only one to five individuals per 100 square kilometers. The species is declining in many parts of its distribution, with some local populations facing severe pressure.
The primary threat to the jaguarundi is habitat loss and fragmentation, driven by the expansion of agriculture and human development across the Americas. Since these cats require large home ranges, converting natural habitats into industrial farmlands significantly limits their ability to find food and mates. In the northern extent of its range, particularly in the United States and parts of Central America, populations are vulnerable and are listed under stricter protections due to a high risk of extirpation. North and Central American populations are listed on CITES Appendix I, indicating they are threatened with extinction and require the highest level of protection, while most South American populations are on Appendix II.