Leopardus wiedii

The margay (Leopardus wiedii), also known as the maracayá, yaguatirica, caucel or tiger cat, is a species of carnivorous mammal of the Felidae family widely distributed throughout the Americas, from Mexico (with a record in Texas, USA).) to southern South America with populations in Uruguay, northern Argentina and southern Brazil. Known as a nocturnal, arboreal, and solitary cat, it lives mainly in deciduous and evergreen forests. This species can be confused with the ocelot. However, the ocelot has a larger size and weight. Also, this is one of only two species with the ability to rotate the ankle (the other being the clouded leopard) to descend from trees head down like squirrels.

The name "mbarakaja" comes from the Guarani meaning cat.

In Mexico it is considered endangered.

Behavior

Margays are diurnal and nocturnal animals, spending most of their time climbing trees in search of food. They are extremely fast and agile animals, and are capable of changing direction in the air while jumping between trees. This allows them to elude their predators, such as jaguars, dogs, and humans. Margays are highly intelligent and curious animals, and they can be trained to perform tricks. This is one of the reasons why they are a vulnerable species to animal trafficking. Fortunately, conservation efforts are helping to increase the population of this species.

Features

It is very similar to the ocelot, with a smaller size (between 40 and 60 cm of head and body) and an average weight of 3.5 kg. Adult specimens have been found from 2 to 5 kilos. Large eyes and a very long tail (it can measure more than 70% of the length of the head and body), counting the tail these animals can measure from 90 to 120 centimeters. These are characteristics of their adaptation for arboreal life.

Diet

It mainly hunts arboreal animals, in Paraná (Brazil), 38 droppings were analyzed and remains of prey such as Monodelphis (10.5%), Akodon (39.4%), Mus musculus (31.5%), Paraguayan marmosa (2.6%), Western woolly opossum (7.8%), Brazilian gray filander (5.2%), Didelphis (2.8%), black-eyed lizard (6.4%), tree porcupine (2.6%), lesser ferret (2.6%) and black capuchin (5.2 %). In Belize, 27 stools were analyzed with the result that: birds (29.2%) and Ototylomys (48.1%) were their main food source, followed by Deppe's squirrel (22.2%). %) and Reithrodontomys (18.5%).^{[citation required]}

Subspecies

There are 11 known subspecies of Leopardus wiedii:

• Leopardus wiedii wiedii - Eastern and central Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, and northern Argentina.
• Leopardus wiedii amazonicus - Western Brazil, inside Peru, Colombia and Venezuela.
• Leopardus wiedii boliviae - Bolivia.
• Leopardus wiedii cooperi - northern Mexico.
• Leopardus wiedii glauculus - Central Mexico.
• Leopardus wiedii nicaraguae - Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica.
• Leopardus wiedii oaxacensis - southern Mexico.
• Leopardus wiedii pirrensis - Panama, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru.
• Leopardus wiedii salvinius - Chiapas, Guatemala, El Salvador.
• Leopardus wiedii vigens.
• Leopardus wiedii yucatanicus - Yucatan.