Jaguarundi - description, habitat, lifestyle

Jaguarundi means predator. This representative of mammals is classified as a wild cat. The individuals under discussion prefer to lead a solitary lifestyle, live where they are difficult to find. However, despite their habits, sometimes animals are grouped. Most often they get together during mating games.

Description

1. Representatives of the group are distinguished by the versatility of body pigmentation. They are brownish, reddish, gray and even orange-yellow. More than 20 years ago, the animals presented were subdivided by color; there were air and jaguarundi.
2. Over time, it was possible to establish that these felines crossed among themselves, as a result of which they received offspring with different pigmentation. They were red, gray or brown. Partly for this reason, it was decided to introduce individuals into one category.
3. A cat that lives in South American territory stretches for 0.8 m along the body. The physique is powerful and strong. The tail is elongated and thin, can reach up to 0.6 m. The limbs are shortened. The muzzle is round in format, the head is small, the ears are also not famous for large dimensions. Body weight does not exceed 10 kg.
4. The coat is pressed against the skin, smooth and thick. Young growth is sometimes pigmented with specks, due to which individuals are confused with cheetahs - close relatives. However, inclusions disappear as they grow older. The color of the body is one tone, so that individuals are skillfully masked. Due to their physique, they quietly and imperceptibly make their way to prey through thorns and bushes.
5. A distinctive feature of the discussed family is considered to be the fact that in their pigmentation of the body there is no hint of white color. Otherwise, these animals are called miniature cougars, they were described in the 19th century for the first time. Since then, the characteristics are constantly updated, as they are more closely studied.

Lifestyle

1. Discussed members of the family are highly intelligent. They are very agile, can compare their strength and dimensions with the size of the enemy. Due to its small size, a wild cat behaves cautiously, does not rush at large animals, hides from enemies and skillfully sweeps tracks. Earlier it was mentioned that these individuals are quite hidden. They are single, can be grouped only during mating and after the birth of offspring. They take care of their cubs for a long time, about 2 years.
2. Like all wild representatives of the cat family, these animals skillfully conquer and protect the territory. Individuals of female gender have enough individual plot of up to 20 square meters. km Males require large possessions, about 60 square meters. km They make a tour along the borders and around the perimeter. Often, animals settle with sebodobnye that will not violate borders and destroy the offspring of the neighborhood.
3. What is noteworthy for these individuals is that they can hunt at any time of the day. Animals attack farms, destroy livestock, so they are often shot. Also kill birds and pets if they caught the eye. They are cunning and fearless, can long pursue the enemy. They build a house for themselves in dense thickets and thorns, so that it would be difficult for strangers to find a home.
4. The animals presented are unique in their own way. They are capable of reproducing and repeating sounds made by birds. Jaguarundis also whistle, purr, howl and even sing. In the process of observation, experts learned a lot about this variety. Animals survive next to humans, are omnivores, hunt during the day.
5. As for the duration of existence, when kept in captivity, individuals live about 13 years, sometimes longer.Throughout the cycle, they retain the ability to hunt and behave quite actively. When living in the natural environment it’s hard to say for sure, but on average jaguarundis live on the order of 10 years. They may die from illness, trap or their enemies.

Habitat

1. Most of the population is concentrated in the vastness of Central and South America. These animals come from Panama. They feel great when living in Mexico, Paraguay, Uruguay, Peru. It also extends to Ecuador. They hunt in Texas and the Amazon.
2. No matter where members of the family live, they need adequate food supply and drink. Therefore, a dwelling is being built next to water sources in thickets, shrubs, and thorns. Skillfully masked and become almost invisible.

Nutrition

1. As mentioned earlier, hunting is carried out at any time of the day. Animals are distinguished by their omnivorous nature, so they have no problems with food. As prey, reptiles, fish, insects, birds are chosen. The discussed animals in the open spaces of their distribution range are classified as malicious pests.
2. They spoil the economy to farmers, kill birds. Also, when farmed chinchillas, rabbits and other small animals with valuable fur, jaguarundis are not liked. They simply attack the economy. Everything is used, even guinea pigs and waterfowl.
3. In the area where such cougars live, ponds must be present without fail. So individuals can enjoy real fishing. It is worth noting that such animals in the water do not get only fish.
4. They are great swimmers. Therefore, they represent a real threat to any waterfowl. In addition to various game, such animals feed on iguanas, lizards, snakes and frogs. Such animals are often included in the diet of cats.
5. Only represented individuals of this species are able to freeze on their hind legs in anticipation of the victim. In this case, cats also rely on a powerful tail. In this position, the predator can sit for about 1 hour. The cat is pulled into the string and peeps prey from the thickets.
6. When the jaguarundi jump out of this position, they are able to cover a distance of more than 2 m. As a result, a wild cat inflicts a mortal blow with powerful paws and long claws. The same predators are kept in captivity. In this case, the basis of their diet mainly includes meat.
7. Several times a week, predators are given food of plant origin. They enjoy eating fruits and berries. Despite the fact that animals are born in captivity, their natural instincts do not disappear. They effortlessly prey on rodents that enter their home.
8. Cats do not like to climb trees, but this does not prevent them from climbing to a great height if necessary. Sometimes individuals do this when hunting birds. Birds often land on their cage, unaware of the danger. Jaguarundi is slightly larger than domestic cats, however, individuals are particularly dangerous for gape animals.
9. If there is an external threat, the predator forgets about caution. Therefore, it can without fear attack an animal that is several times larger than its size. Predators have such powerful jaws that they can bite through even the most dense skin with their teeth. Otherwise, such cats do not attack unnecessarily. They can protect offspring with all their might. Jaguarundi prefer to hide from prying eyes.

Breeding

1. It is noteworthy that the mating season in such individuals can be repeated up to 3 times a year. At such times, animals become extremely unpredictable and aggressive. In mating time, a real slaughter takes place between the female and the males. They constantly fight and emit loud screams.
2. After mating, the female continues to bear offspring for about 2.5 months.The future mother is trying to choose a secluded and almost impregnable place. Most often, the role of such a dwelling is played by an old hollow in a tree. One litter can have up to 4 babies. Interestingly, kittens have small dark spots that disappear over time.
3. After birth, young animals do not leave their homes for a month. All this time, the mother goes hunting, after which she returns and feeds them milk. Then, when the cubs begin to crawl out onto the street, they learn to hunt almost immediately. The rest of the kittens live with their mother for about 2 years. At this time they reach puberty.
4. As soon as this happens, the young leaves the family and begins to lead an independent lifestyle. At the same time, sexually mature individuals acquire a plain orange or gray color. Such feline representatives live long enough. Currently, many people keep wild cats at home without any concern. The cost of one individual varies greatly depending on the country and city.
5. It is worth knowing that the wildlife population is at risk. They are protected by law. Otherwise, these cats prefer a solitary lifestyle, they often create groups. Moreover, in a year they can bring a sufficient number of offspring.
6. In the wild, the represented individuals are extremely difficult to detect. Wild cats prefer to live away from civilization. Therefore, they climb to where no one’s foot has ever set foot. In the wild, these animals have quite a lot of competitors. Therefore, the struggle for food is ongoing.

Individuals can compete with foxes without problems, however, they have a hard time with larger relatives of the cat family. On the other hand, jaguarundis are very hardy and strong. Thanks to this, they almost always achieve what they want. Animals have one weakness; they tolerate frosts very poorly.

Video: Jaguarundi (Puma yagouaroundi)