EnglishWhen you think about the wild cats of the Americas, the cougar and jaguar are the stars of the show. Even though these large predatory cats are iconic in their own right, they take attention away from the rest of the New World’s felid guild. A wide array of small and medium-sized cats stalk the forests of North, Central, and South America. Among these lesser-known wildcats, the jaguarundi stands out as a unique species.
Get To Know the Jaguarundi
The jaguarundi (scientific name: Herpailurus yagouaroundi) is a solitary wildcat in more ways than one. Not only does it spend most of its life alone, seeking companions only during mating, but it’s also completely unlike most cat species with which it shares its habitat.
For starters, the jaguarundi looks nothing like other small wildcats. The species is roughly twice the size of a common domestic house cat. Instead of the more common spotted coat, the jaguarundi has a solid, uniform coloration on its entire coat. At most, it could have light markings on its face, but the rest of its fur is a single shade of either gray, brown, or red. Researchers believe that this is because jaguarundis have 38 chromosomes while other small New World cats have 36.
The name jaguarundi means “dark jaguar” in the old Guaraní language. However, evolutionary studies have found that jaguarundis are most closely related to pumas and cheetahs, not jaguars. In fact, the binomial name Puma yagouaroundi was also widely used for the species, but Herpailurus yagouaroundi is commonly preferred today.
Jaguarundis have a unique shape. Their morphology borrows traits from otters and weasels and transplants them into the cat family. They have small, flattened heads, short snouts, short legs, and an elongated, tapered tail.
Like all cats, jaguarundis are predators. Their diet includes birds, reptiles, small mammals, and fish on occasion. Jaguarundis also hunt larger game, like armadillos, with some frequency. Though jaguarundis are strong swimmers and adept climbers, these terrestrial predators prefer to do their hunting on the ground.
Jaguarundi Distribution: Large Ranges, Low Density
As avid hunters, jaguarundis need environments that offer cover and facilitate camouflage while stalking prey. As long as they can sneak up on their targets undetected, these cats will not go hungry. They live at varying elevations of up to 3,200 meters, and inhabit a range of terrains including forests, savannas, shrublands, and grasslands.
Jaguarundis can be found throughout Central and South America. From Mexico in the north to Argentina in the south, their habitats span various countries and environments. However, this large distribution does not mean that jaguarundi numbers are high.
Instead, this expansive range is partly why their numbers have become quite thin. They don’t share territory, and a single individual can occupy a massive home range. Such low population densities make jaguarundis especially vulnerable to habitat fragmentation.
Is the Jaguarundi Endangered?
The conservation status of jaguarundis is a complex question. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN’s) Red List, jaguarundis are listed as a species of Least Concern. However, some conservationists believe that their low population density and declining numbers means their status should be updated to near threatened.
Most of the jaguarundi populations in the southern United States have already been extirpated. The most stable and viable populations of jaguarundis live in South America’s Amazon basin where they dwell in protected areas. But in the northern reaches of their range, especially the Central American subcontinent, jaguarundis are much more vulnerable.
The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) includes North American and Central American jaguarundi populations on Appendix I, which means they are threatened with extinction and require a high level of protection. Even the IUCN notes that jaguarundi numbers are declining despite listing it as a species of least concern.
Jaguarundi: Why Is It Endangered?
Why are jaguarundi endangered? All wildlife faces an existential threat in a world increasingly shaped by human activity, jaguarundis included. Thankfully, jaguarundis are not targeted by the wildlife trade for their fur, which is considered to be of poor quality. This means that wild jaguarundi populations don’t have to deal with hunting pressure, at least from humans.
When it comes to other predators in its environment, it’s an entirely different equation. Jaguarundis are neither the largest nor strongest small wildcats in the jungle. Their relatively low standing among their feline cousins means that jaguarundis often lose out on prime habitat and access to prey when faced with competition from other cat species. This trend has been noted in so many studies it has its own name: the Ocelot Effect, named after the larger cat species in the jaguarundi’s range.
Jaguarundi Endangered Facts
Even though jaguarundis are not directly targeted by poaching, they still suffer the impacts of human activity. Sadly, it’s quite common to see jaguarundis caught in traps meant for other animals. Jaguarundis also suffer the fallout of human-animal conflict as farmers in rural areas often kill them to protect their poultry from predation.
Out of all the threats to jaguarundi numbers, habitat loss and fragmentation might be the biggest. Since these cats require large home ranges, converting their habitat into agricultural land and pastures reduces their ability to find prey and mates.
Jaguarundi Conservation Projects
Jaguarundi conservation efforts differ from country to country. In the northern half of its distribution range, particularly the Central American subcontinent, jaguarundis are protected species. Hunting jaguarundis is prohibited in Belize, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, and Panama.
Outside of Central America, hunting jaguarundis is also prohibited in several other countries, including Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, French Guiana, Paraguay, Suriname, Uruguay, the US, and Venezuela. In Peru, hunting jaguarundi is permitted provided the hunters follow certain restrictions.
Thankfully, being included in CITES’ Appendix I and Appendix II legitimizes the dangers facing jaguarundi today. While they may not be as flashy as an ocelot or as majestic as a jaguar, jaguarundis also need protection from looming extinction. Their inclusion on these lists accomplishes that by protecting them from being traded as exotic pets. It’s a good thing too, since jaguarundis are wild animals and, despite appearances, they are very much unlike house cats.
How You Can Help Protect Jaguarundis
As an animal lover, it’s tough to watch well-adapted jungle cats suffer because humans are taking over their habitats. Protecting the home ranges of jaguarundis is an urgent need. That is why initiatives like Paso Pacífico’s plan to secure core habitats in Central America can help ensure their numbers. By partnering with landowners, Paso Pacífico creates safe havens for all of Central America’s wonderful wild creatures.
Along with providing endangered jaguarundis a home, Paso Pacífico is also committed to helping train a new generation of wildlife stewards who understand that they must respect every creature that calls Central America home. Since 2012, the Junior Ranger program has combined exciting field trips, informative classroom lectures, and hands-on volunteer work to instill a deep respect for the natural world among kids aged eight to 13.
If you would like to help Paso Pacifico provide jaguarundis with suitable habitats where they can thrive, explore our website and consider making a donation.