This petite cat resembles ocelots but is comparatively much smaller, weighing around 2 to 4 kg (4.5 to 9 pounds). The large buttoned eyes make them look adorable, like house cats, but they’re very fierce and do not qualify for pets.
They are one of the most agile arboreal species in the wild. Soft paws (with rotation ability — 180 degrees) and long tails are the adaptation feature allowing them to roam freely in the trees and execute a clean, head-first landing.
They don’t think twice before tackling a tamarin or new world monkey in treetops. These hunters can mimic sounds; for instance, a margay might trick tamarin into its trap by vocalizing like tamarin’s babies.
Distribution
Argentina
Belize
Bolivia
Brazil
Colombia
Costa Rica
Ecuador
El Salvador
French Guiana
Guatemala
Guyana
Honduras
Mexico
Nicaragua
Panama
Paraguay
Peru
Suriname
United States
Uruguay
VenezuelaRecent updates
Feb 2022: The margay population in Mexico is in danger of becoming extinct due to the destruction of its natural habitat. Another issue that is contributing to their decline is predation from both wild and domestic dogs, which are hunting and killing margays as well as their food sources.
Anything we've missed?
Help us improve this page by suggesting edits. Glory never dies!
Suggest an editGet to know me
Terrestrial / Aquatic
Altricial / Precocial
Polygamous / Monogamous
Dimorphic (size) / Monomorphic
Active: Diurnal / Nocturnal
Social behavior: Solitary / Pack / Herd
Diet: Carnivore / Herbivore / Omnivore / Piscivorous / Insectivore
Migratory: Yes / No
Domesticated: Yes / No
Dangerous: Yes / No
