Leopardus guigna
kodkod

Leopardus guigna is also known as the kodkod, guigna, or Chilean cat. It can be found in central and southern Chile, Chiloé Island of Chile, Guaitecas Island of Chile, the Andes Mountains, and western Argentina. ("Kodkod and Chilean cat", 2009; Acosta and Lucherini, 2008; Postanowicz, 2008; Sunquist and Sunquist, 2002; Wilson and Reeder, 2005)

Kodkods are terrestrial and arboreal, dwelling in moist temperate forests, particularly in coastal regions like the islands of Chile. The types of forest where they are traditionally found include evergreen temperate rainforests, deciduous temperate moist forests, sclerophyllous scrub, and coniferous forests (The World Conservation Union, 1996). Kodkods are somewhat tolerant of disturbance, as they can be found in primary forest and secondary forest and scrub, as well as on the outskirts of cultivated areas (The World Conservation Union, 1996). They are commonly observed in Chilean Valdivian and Araucaria forests. Characteristics of these forest habitats include altitudes between 1,900 and 2,500 meters, complex canopy layers, bamboo, lianas, and epiphytes (Acosta and Luch, 2008). Additionally, kodkods are found in Argentinian moist montane forests, which also have bamboo, lianas, and epiphytes (The World Conservation Union, 1996). ("Kodkod and Chilean cat", 2009; Acosta and Lucherini, 2008; Dunstone et al., 2002; Nowak, Kays, and Macdonald, 2005; The World Conservation Union, 1996)

Leopardus guigna is the smallest cat species in the Western Hemisphere, averaging no larger than a typical house cat Felis catus (Postanowicz, 2008). They weigh between 1.5 and 3 kg (Postanowicz, 2008). Kodkods have body lengths from 40 to 52 centimeters, with tail length between 19 and 25 centimeters (Nowak, Kays, and Macdonald, 2005). They have smaller heads and shorter, thicker tails relative to their large feet and claws, which help them to climb trees (Kodkod and Chilean cat, 2009). The main fur color is gray brown or reddish brown, with dark spots, stripes on their tails and dorsal sides, and pale-colored venter and sides (The World Conservation Union, 1996; Postanowicz, 2008). Some kodkods have eyespots on the backs of their ears because of their characteristic black on white fur markings (Postanowicz, 2008). Melanistic, or darker colored, kodkods are not uncommon and their stripes and spots are often detectable in bright light (Sunquist and Sunquist, 2002). They are similar in appearance to Geoffroy's cats (Leopardus geoffroyi) except kodkods have less distinct stripes on their head and shoulder regions and they have thicker tails (Sunquist and Sunquist, 2002). ("Kodkod and Chilean cat", 2009; Nowak, Kays, and Macdonald, 2005; Postanowicz, 2008; Sunquist and Sunquist, 2002)

There are two subspecies: Leopardus guigna tigrillo and Leopardus guigna guigna. Leopardus g. tigrillo is found in the southern Patagonia region and can be identified by its overall paler coat color without spot markings on the feet (The World Conservation Union, 1996). Leopardus g. guigna is found in central Chile and can be recognized by its smaller body size, brighter colors, and spot markings on the feet (The World Conservation Union, 1996).

Kodkods can reach 11 years old in the wild. ("KodKod", 2009; "Kodkod and Chilean cat", 2009; Postanowicz, 2008; The World Conservation Union, 1996)

Kodkods are arboreal and tend to climb when trying to find shelter, safety from pursuers, or an ideal lookout place to find prey (The World Conservation Union, 1996). Kodkods are more likely to be nocturnal in areas populated by humans and diurnal in more wild areas (Postanowicz, 2008). They are solitary carnivores with males ranging more widely than females (Sanderson, Sunquist, and Iriarte, 2002). (Postanowicz, 2008; Sanderson, Sunquist, and Iriarte, 2002; The World Conservation Union, 1996)

Home Range

One study reported an average home range of 1.5 square kilometers for a group of 5 kodkods that included males and females (Sunquist and Sunquist, 2002). Another study recorded mean home ranges of 2.69 square kilometers with considerable overlap between individuals (Dunstone et al., 2002). In fragmented habitats, males are more likely to leave their home ranges than females (Sanderson, Sunquist, and Iriarte, 2002). (Dunstone et al., 2002; Sanderson, Sunquist, and Iriarte, 2002; Sunquist and Sunquist, 2002)

Due to the rare and secretive nature of kodkods, there is little information regarding communication and perception. Like most small cats, kodkods have excellent vision, hearing, and sense of smell. They are likely to use chemical cues in communication as well as vocalizations, body postures, and tactile cues. (Acosta and Lucherini, 2008; Nowak, Kays, and Macdonald, 2005)

Kodkods are carnivorous, eating mainly small rodents, reptiles, birds, and large insects (Kodkod, 2009; Postanowicz, 2008; The World Conservation Union, 1996). Observed prey species include Norwegian rats (Rattus norvegicus), Austral thrushes (Turdus falcklandii), southern lapwings (Vanellus chilensis), chucao tapaculos (Scelorchilus rubecula), huet-huets (Pteroptochos tarnii), geese (Anser anser), chickens (Gallus gallus), and Chiloé lizards (Liolaemus pictus chiloeensis) (Sunquist, and Sunquist, 2002). They sometime prey on domestic poultry, bringing themselves into direct conflict with humans, often resulting in farmers killing kodkods (Postanowicz, 2008). ("KodKod", 2009; Postanowicz, 2008; Sunquist and Sunquist, 2002; The World Conservation Union, 1996)

Known predators of kodkods include humans and domestic dogs (Lucherini and Merino, 2008). Kodkods are cryptically colored and secretive, avoiding most predators. (Lucherini and Merino, 2008)

Although more studies are necessary, research suggest kodkods help to control rodent populations (The World Conservation Union, 1996). (The World Conservation Union, 1996)

Kodkods have been known to occasionally prey on domestic poultry. (The World Conservation Union, 1996)

Kodkods have been hunted for their fur. However, their small body size makes them less popular among hunters (Postanowicz, 2008). In rural areas kodkod pelts are still found displayed as trophies. Kodkods may help to control rodent populations, which decreases rodent depredation on crops and rodent population outbreaks that spread disease (The World Conservation Union, 1996). (Postanowicz, 2008; The World Conservation Union, 1996)

Kodkod populations are declining, especially in central Chile. They are listed as vulnerable by the IUCN and are on the CITES Appendix II list (Kodkod and Chilean cat, 2009). They are threatened by domestic dogs and hunting by humans, and habitat fragmentation and loss due to deforestation. Their main threat is fragmentation and destruction of their preferred habitat, temperate moist forests (Acosta and Lucherini, 2008). Human sentiment towards kodkods in rural areas is generally negative. Education, awareness, and stricter law enforcement are needed to improve human attitudes towards kodkods and their protection (Silva-Rodgrquez, Ortega-Solis, and Jimenez, 2001). There are laws in place to protect kodkods and other small cats from hunters, but only in some areas and enforcement is generally weak (Lucherini and Merino, 2008). Fortunately, kodkods are relatively tolerant of disturbed habitats, which is reflected in their current conservation status as vulnerable rather than critically endangered. ("KodKod", 2009; "Kodkod and Chilean cat", 2009; Acosta and Lucherini, 2008; Acosta-Jamett and Simonetti, 2004; Acosta-Jamett et al., 2003; Guerrero et al., 2006; Lucherini and Merino, 2008; Sanderson, Sunquist, and Iriarte, 2002; Silva-Rodgrquez, Ortega-Solis, and Jimenez, 2001; The World Conservation Union, 1996)

The common name, kodkod, originated from the Araucanian Indians. Guigna is the common name used in Chile and Argentina (Sunquist and Sunquist, 2002). (Sunquist and Sunquist, 2002)

Recent genetic analysis suggests that Leopardus guigna is closely related to Leopardus geoffroyi (Sunquist and Sunquist, 2002). (Sunquist and Sunquist, 2002)