Jaguarundi(Herpailurus Yagouaroundi)
The jaguarundi is a medium-sized cat of slender build and uniform coloration that differs significantly from other neotropical cats such as the small, spotted cats in its external appearance. This has been attributed to variations in its karyotype—the jaguarundi has 38 chromosomes, unlike the 36 in other small South American cats, and the chromosomal features resemble those of Old World cats such as the leopard cat. The jaguarundi shows several features seen in as otters and weasels, it has an elongated body with relatively short legs, a small, narrow head, small, round ears, a short snout and a long tail.
The head-body length is between 53-77 cm; the strong, muscular tail is 31–52 cm long. Around twice as large as the domestic cat, the jaguarundi reaches nearly 36 cm at the shoulder and weighs 3.5–7 kg, though larger individuals weighing around 9 kg have been reported. Males are slightly larger than females. The coat is uniformly colored with at most a few faint markings on the face and the belly, though kittens are spotted for a short duration. Black and white marks on the lips and the snout, similar to those of the cougar, can be clearly seen in juveniles and some adults. Two color morphs are known, grey (blackish to brownish-grey fur with a grizzled look due to bright and dark rings on individual hairs) and red (foxy red to chestnut); earlier these morphs were considered two different species. Individuals of both colours can be born in the same litter. Blackish brown individuals superficially resemble the tayra, but the latter can be told apart by the clear, yellowish patch on the throat. The red morph is seen more often in dry, open areas. Melanistic individuals have been reported, but the coat is not completely black; the head and the throat are clearly paler than the rest of the body. The ears, 2.5–4 cm long, are widely spaced and, unlike many other felids, lack white spots on the back. The jaguarundi has a total of 30 teeth. The jaguarundi is closely similar to the flat-headed cat, but has a longer body and proportionately longer legs, is heavier and lacks the dark markings on the cheeks of the flat-headed cat.Tawny jaguarundis bear a similar coloration as the significantly larger cougar.
Habitat
The jaguarundi inhabits a wide variety of habitats from tropical rainforests and deciduous forests to deserts and thorn scrubs. It can also be found in cloud forests, mangroves and savannahs. Unlike the sympatric margay, ocelot and oncilla, the jaguarundi can live in open areas as well. In open habitats the jaguarundi prefers areas with vegetative cover such as cacti, which would generally be difficult for potential predators to penetrate; there may be a few clearings at the periphery of such areas. Jaguarundis tend to stay close to a source of running water. The jaguarundi is noted for its resistance to environmental disturbances in its habitat; it can thrive in reforested areas. While commonly inhabiting elevations from lowlands up to 2,000 m above sea level, this cat has been reported at altitudes as high as 3,200 m in Colombia. The range extends from central Argentina in the south to the US–Mexico border in the north, through Central and South America east of the Andes, second only to the cougar in the latitudinal extent of its distribution.
The jaguarundi is fairly common in Brazil, Peru and Venezuela. It is possibly extirpated in the US; the last confirmed sighting in the US was probably of a roadkill individual near Brownsville (Texas) in 1986.
The jaguarundi has also been recorded from Cerro Largo in Uruguay, where its presence was uncertain.
Diet
The jaguarundi typically feed on small-sized prey weighing less than 1 kg, including ground-feeding birds, reptiles, rodents and small mammals. Jaguarundis will also take larger prey such as domestic poultry, fish, marmosets, rabbits and opossums; a study recorded small deer (possibly carrion) in the diet. Vegetation such as grasses have also been recorded in their diet. A study showed jaguarundis take 400 g vertebrate prey on an average everyday. The broad array of prey recorded for the jaguarundi across its range and varying proportions of different prey in its diet could indicate that the cat tends to feed on the most abundant and easily catchable prey in the area.
Breeding
Jaguarundis have been observed mating all year round, with peaks at different times of the year across the range; in Mexico breeding peaks in January and March. Estrus lasts three to five days, marked by the female regularly rolling onto her back and spraying urine. Sexually mature males will pursue the female, not reacting to any aggressive behavior from her side. As in many other felids, the male bites the fur on the female's neck on mounting; the female lets out a loud scream on penetration.
After a gestation period of 70 to 75 days, a litter of one to four kittens is born in a den constructed in a dense thicket, hollow tree, or similar cover. The kittens are covered well with fur and the underside is marked with spots, which disappear as they age; the coat colour gradually changes as the kittens grow older. The mother starts bringing solid food for the kittens when they are around three weeks old, but they simply play with it until the mother ultimately ingests it. Kittens are capable of taking solid food like birds and guinea pigs at around six weeks. Jaguarundis become sexually mature at one to three years of age. Lifespan up to 15 years has been recorded in captivity.
Population
According to the IUCN Red List, they are classed as Least Concern(LC) and their population trend is decreasing. The number of mature individuals is unknown. Contrary to earlier characterisations of this species as relatively common and abundant, research indicates that the Jaguarundi is an uncommon, low density species. Densities are very low everywhere it has been sampled, and Jaguarundis are more commonly found at 0.01-0.05/km² or lower, but reaching up to 0.2/km² in a few and restricted high density areas. The Jaguarundi’s density/numbers are negatively impacted by those of the larger sized Ocelot. Considered Near Threatened in Argentina and threatened in Mexico.
Threats
The species is generally not exploited for commercial trade, although Jaguarundis are doubtless caught in traps set for commercially valuable species and may be subject to low intensity hunting pressure around settled areas. Its main threats are however, habitat loss and fragmentation, especially for large scale agriculture and pasture. Jaguarundis are commonly killed for killing poultry.
Conservation
Included on CITES Appendix II. Populations of Central and North America are CITES Appendix I. The species is protected across most of its range, with hunting prohibited in Argentina, Belize, Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, Costa Rica, French Guiana, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Suriname, Uruguay, United States and Venezuela, and hunting regulations in place in Peru. Further studies are required on the species ecology, demographics, natural history, and threats. Populations in protected areas are expected to be very low, likely because of the impact of the higher Ocelot densities. This species is often perceived as not threatened due to its visibility (it is diurnal) and use of open habitats.