Puma yagouaroundi
jaguarundi

The current range of jaguarundis is from southern Texas and Arizona to northern Argentina. Sightings in Arizona and Texas are often not well documented, thus the status of jaguarundis in these states is not well known. Sightings have also been reported in Florida. These sightings are most likely a result of a human introduced population. ("Jaguarundi: Herpailurus yaguaroundi", 2003; "Listed Cats of Texas and Arizona Recovery Plan (With Emphasis on the Ocelot)", 1990; de Oliveira, 1998; Nowak, 1999)

Herpailurus yaguarondi demonstrates habitat flexibility. These cats have been recorded in grasslands/savannas, shrub lands, tropical rainforest, tropical deciduous forest, dense chaparral, thickets, and scrubland. They are often sighted near water and may inhabit swamps and areas near streams, rivers and lakes. Jaguarundis are most often found in secondary vegetation but are also found in primary habitats, and have been sighted in forests near villages. They live up to an elevation of at least 3200 m. ("Jaguarundi: Herpailurus yaguaroundi", 2003; de Oliveira, 1998; Denis, 1964; Emmons, 1990; Mares, Ojeda, and Barquez, 1989; Nowak, 1999)

Superficially, jaguarundis resemble members of the family Mustelidae. This caused early German zoologists to refer to the species as the “weasel cat.” Compared to other small neotropical felids, jaguarundis have a more elongated body, smaller, more rounded ears, and shorter limbs relative to body size. They are unspotted. The species that most resembles jaguarundis is Prionailurus planiceps, commonly referred to as flat-headed cats. However, jaguarundis can be easily distinguished from this other species, and are slightly longer and heavier. ("Jaguarundi: Herpailurus yaguaroundi", 2003; de Oliveira, 1998; Denis, 1964; Emmons, 1990; Guggisberg, 1975; Hershkovitz, 1999; Leopold, 1959; Nowak, 1999)

Jaguarundis are slightly larger than domesticated house cats. The head and body length may range from 505 to 770 mm. The tail is long, ranging from 330 to 600 mm. Shoulder height is approximately 350 mm, and the weight ranges from 4.5 to 9.0 kg. Males are slightly larger and heavier than females of the same population. ("Jaguarundi: Herpailurus yaguaroundi", 2003; de Oliveira, 1998; Denis, 1964; Emmons, 1990; Guggisberg, 1975; Hershkovitz, 1999; Leopold, 1959; Nowak, 1999)

Two color morphs are present in H. yaguarondi. One is dark grayish-black, and the other is reddish in color. This caused the species to be originally classified as two separate species: “eyra” for the blackish coat and “jaguarundi” for the reddish coat. Local villagers sometimes refer to jaguarundis as “eyras.” Despite the differences in coat color, it has been determined that the two color morphs do mate, and litters are observed containing both. The coat is generally uniform in color, but may be slightly paler on the ventral side. Populations inhabiting tropical rainforests are generally darker and populations inhabiting dryer habitats are often paler than other populations. It has been hypothesized that the coats of jaguarundis get darker during the winter. Kittens are sometimes spotted at birth but lose their markings before adulthood. ("Jaguarundi: Herpailurus yaguaroundi", 2003; de Oliveira, 1998; Denis, 1964; Emmons, 1990; Guggisberg, 1975; Hershkovitz, 1999; Leopold, 1959; Nowak, 1999)

It is not known what the lifespan of H. yaguarondi is in the wild. In captivity they have lived up to 15 years of age. In captivity the causes of death have included respiratory diseases, disorders of the urogenital system, cardiovascular disease, and diseases of the digestive system. There have also been reports of cancer, choking, and poisoning in captivity. (de Oliveira, 1998)

Jaguarundis are known as very secretive animals. It was once believed that they were solitary except during the breeding season. Recent reports of pairs suggest that they may be more social than once thought. Pairs are often sighted in Paraguay, but individuals in Mexico are believed to be solitary. They are mostly diurnal, with their peak in activity occurring around 11 in the morning. Some activity does occur at night, and they are often reported as being nocturnal and diurnal. Jaguarundis are terrestrial but are also good climbers and swimmers. (de Oliveira, 1998; Denis, 1964; Emmons, 1990; Guggisberg, 1975; Leopold, 1959; Mares, Ojeda, and Barquez, 1989; McCarthy, 1992; Nowak, 1999)

Home Range

The home ranges of jaguarundis vary greatly between populations. The home ranges of males have been reported to range between 88 and 100 square kilometers in one population, while a male of another population had a home range of 17.6 square kilometers. The home ranges of two radio-tagged females of different populations were reported to be 20.1 square kilometers and 6.8 kilometers squared. (de Oliveira, 1998)

Felids characteristically have well developed senses of sight, hearing, and smell. Jaguarundis have a larger vocal repertoire than other members of the family occupying the same range. Thirteen distinct calls have been reported in captivity including contact calls, greeting and attention calls, and warning signals. Mothers often call their kittens with a short purr and the kittens answer with repeated short peeps. When warning others to stay away, a jaguarundi will give a loud hiss and/or spit. Faint cries are given by a female to signal that she is in estrus. She also urinates to leave chemical signals that she is in heat. Other scent marking habits include urine spraying, head rubbing, and claw scraping. Behaviors such as flehmen, hind feet scraping, and neck rubbing have also been observed in captive jaguarundis. (Hulley, 1976; Vaughan, Ryan, and Czaplewski, 2000)

Tactile communication occurs between a mother and her offspring, as well as between mates (males bite the necks of females during copulation). Visual signals, although not specifically reported in jaguarundis, are common in cats, and are likey to occur in this mainly diurnal species. (de Oliveira, 1998; Nowak, 1999)

Jaguarundis are carnivores and hunt a variety of small mammals, reptiles, birds, frogs, and fish. Besides animal matter, jaguarundis stomach contents often contain a small amount of plant material and arthropods. Birds are often the prey of choice and the jaguarundi diet usually includes junglefowl.

Mammals that are preyed upon: eastern cottontails, short-tailed cane mice, Brazilian guinea pigs, and spiny rats.

Reptiles: South American ground lizards, rainbow whiptails, and green iguanas. ("Jaguarundi: Herpailurus yaguaroundi", 2003; Bisbal, 1986; de Oliveira, 1998; Emmons, 1990; Guggisberg, 1975; Manzani and Monteiro Filho, 1989; Mares, Ojeda, and Barquez, 1989; McCarthy, 1992)

The predation pressures that jaguarundis face as well as anti-predator adaptations are unknown.

Jaguarundis are predators of many small mammal species as well as reptiles, birds, frogs, and fish. Jaguarundis also compete for resources with other carnivores including margays, ocelots, coyotes, foxes, bobcats, and mountain lions. However, jaguarundis avoid direct competition with margays and ocelots through their diurnal and terrestrial behavior.

Several known parasites use jaguarundis as hosts. These include several species of tapeworms, hookworms, and acanthocephalans. ("Listed Cats of Texas and Arizona Recovery Plan (With Emphasis on the Ocelot)", 1990; de Oliveira, 1998; Guggisberg, 1975)

Jaguarundis often prey upon poultry and are considered a pest to villagers in rural Belize for this reason. (de Oliveira, 1998; Guggisberg, 1975; Leopold, 1959; McCarthy, 1992)

By preying upon rabbits, mice, and rats, jaguarundis help to control the populations of several agricultural pests. ("Jaguarundi: Herpailurus yaguaroundi", 2003; Bisbal, 1986; Mares, Ojeda, and Barquez, 1989)

The pelts of jaguarundis are of poor quality, but jaguarundis are caught accidentally in traps meant for other animals. This does not affect the population numbers significantly. The major threats to jaguarundis are loss of suitable habitat and prey. ("Listed Cats of Texas and Arizona Recovery Plan (With Emphasis on the Ocelot)", 1990; Cat Specialist Group, 2001; Leopold, 1959; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 2004; UNEP and CITES, 2003)

The IUCN Redlist classifies H. yaguarondi under least concern, meaning that they are widespread in their habitat. CITES lists only the populations of Central and North America in Appendix 1, classifying them as threatened with extinction. South American populations are included in Appendix II of CITES. Four of the eight subspecies of jaguarundis are included on the endangered list by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, and are protected in this country. These subspecies are the four that inhabit Central and North America (H. yaguarondi cacomitli, H. yaguarondi fossata, H. yaguarondi panamensis, and H. yaguarondi tolteca). ("Listed Cats of Texas and Arizona Recovery Plan (With Emphasis on the Ocelot)", 1990; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 2004)

To help protect jaguarundis, more information needs to be gathered on their natural history. The United States Fish and Wildlife Service has outlined a plan to gain more information on the populations inhabiting Texas and Arizona. They hope to determine whether inbreeding is affecting the populations, what diseases might be present in the populations, as well as the effects that pesticide runoff is having. The Fish and Wildlife Service has also started to implement programs to protect the habitat of jaguarundis in the United States, particularly the corridors connecting small, isolated areas of habitat. ("Listed Cats of Texas and Arizona Recovery Plan (With Emphasis on the Ocelot)", 1990)