By Alan Krakauer
Geographic Range
Leopardus wiedii is neotropical and sub-tropical. Margays may be found in forested regions from Northern Mexico to Uruguay and northern Argentina. (de Oliveira, 1998; Nowak, 1999)
Biogeographic Regions:
neotropical 
(native ).
Habitat
Margays inhabit tropical and subtropical forests. The majority of published observations were made in forested environments, although L. wiedii occasionally occupies more disturbed areas. (de Oliveira, 1998; Nowak, 1999)
These animals are found in the following types of habitat:
temperate ; tropical ; terrestrial .
Terrestrial Biomes:
forest ; rainforest .
Physical Description
(5.72 to 8.58 lbs)
Margays are petite, spotted cats, resembling small, slender ocelots (Leopardus pardalis). Head and body length range from 463 to 790 mm, with tail length 331 to 510 mm. Weight 2.6 to 3.9 kg. Dark brown spots form longitudinal rows; fur otherwise tan (range: grayish to cinnamon) above, white ventrally. The pelage of these cats is soft and thick. (de Oliveira, 1998; Eisenberg and Redford, 1999; Nowak, 1999)
Some key physical features:
endothermic ; homoiothermic; bilateral symmetry .
Reproduction
Margays may breed throughout the year.
Most reproductive statistics come from captive animals; all aspects of behavior and physiology are virtually unstudied in the field (Azevedo, 1996; Mansard, 1997; Nowak, 1999). Females may breed in their first year. Estrous cycles are approximately 33 days, but may be shorter if mating does not occur. Gestation may last from 76 to 84 days, with a litter size of one, sometimes two. Young begin eating solid food after 8 weeks. (Azevedo, 1996; Mansard, 1997; Nowak, 1999)
Key reproductive features:
iteroparous ; gonochoric/gonochoristic/dioecious (sexes separate); sexual ; fertilization ; viviparous .
Behavior
Margays are notable for their climbing prowess and arboriality. They are capable of hind-foot reversal, and may suspend themselves from their rear feet during descent like a squirrel. Active during day and night, Leopardus wiedii appears to be asocial, with temporary pair bonds formed during the breeding season. (Azevedo, 1996; de Oliveira, 1998; Nowak, 1999)
Home Range
Home range size 15 to 43 square km. (Azevedo, 1996; de Oliveira, 1998; Nowak, 1999)
Food Habits
Margays eat a wide range of prey, including terrestrial and arboreal mammals, birds and their eggs, amphibians, reptiles, arthropods, and fruit. (de Oliveira, 1998; Nowak, 1999)
Primary Diet:
carnivore (eats terrestrial vertebrates).
Animal Foods:
birds; mammals; amphibians; reptiles; eggs; insects; terrestrial non-insect arthropods.
Plant Foods:
fruit.
Economic Importance for Humans: Negative
Margays offer no adverse effects to humans, except perhaps for the occasional livestock deprivation, such as chickens.
Economic Importance for Humans: Positive
Margays were used commercially for their skins in the past. (de Oliveira, 1998)
Ways that people benefit from these animals:
body parts are source of valuable material; ecotourism .
Conservation Status
IUCN Red List: [link]:
Least Concern.
US Federal List: [link]:
Endangered.
CITES: [link]:
Appendix I.
This species is rare and endangered throughout its range. In the past, thousands of individuals per year were harvested for their fur. Hunting pressure has decreased considerably following international protection, although some illegal harvesting still occurs locally. The virtually exclusive use of forested habitat may make L. wiedii more vulnerable than ocelots to the negative effects of habitat destruction and fragmentation. (de Oliveira, 1998; Nowell and Jackson, 1996)
Other Comments
Phylogeographic patterns of L. wiedii parallel those of its sister-species, Leopardis pardalis, known commonly as ocelots. Central American, northern South America, and southern South America populations represent three distinct margay lineages. (Eizirik et al., 1998)
For More Information
Find Leopardus wiedii information at
Contributors
Alan Krakauer (author), University of California-Berkeley.
Tanya Dewey (editor), Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology.
Nancy Shefferly (editor), Animal Diversity Web Staff.
