The jaguarundi is a wild cat you may not know about. It is a small animal, weighing only 10 to 20 pounds and measuring 35 to 55 inches long. It looks kind of like a weasel or an otter with a long, narrow body, short legs and a small head. Jaguarundis come in a variety of colors - from gray to black to red to even yellow. Because they come in so many colors, at one time scientists thought they were different types of animals! Gray ones were called the jaguarundi and reddish ones were called the eyra. Female jaguarundis can have kittens in any color, although jaguarundis of darker colors are usually found in the rain forest, and lighter colors are usually found in drier environments.Jaguarundis primarily live in the rain forests, woodlands, and grasslands in Central and South America, but a few may also be found in the southern United States. They eat birds, reptiles, fish and small mammals like rabbits, rats and mice. They are good jumpers and can leap high off the ground to catch prey. Jaguarundis are also great climbers and swimmers.
Cool Fact: The jaguarundi is also known as the "otter-cat" because it looks like an otter and is a good swimmer!
Are these guys related to Jaguars? Is that why they have a similar name?
ReplyDeleteThey are actually not related to jaguars. Their closest relatives are actually the cougar and the cheetah!
DeleteDo you think you could have one of these as a pet?
ReplyDeleteNo way Grey!
DeleteThis is really interesting! I have never heard about this animal. I would love to see this one in the wild. It's really a very unique animal. I would love to see this wild cat swimming in a river.
ReplyDeleteHey Science kid,
ReplyDeleteGood work reporting on rare animals. I have learned about some animals that I never knew existed! Your blog is really fun to read.