Overview: The jaguarundi (Herpailurus yagouaroundi) is the most common wild cat in South and Central America. It can be tamed and is widely distributed. In has been a difficult wild cat to scientifically classify. It looks more like a marten that a cat (see a nice camera trap photograph). It is the only South American wildcat to have 38 chromosomes rather than 36. It is related more closely to the puma and cheetah that other South American wildcats.
This article is over several pages for technical reasons with links to the next page at the end of each section.
The jaguarundi has few markings and a ticked coat. It has two main color phases: gray and red-brown. This wild cat is distributed from Mexico to Argentina and due to its wide range, it is seen in a variety of contrasting habitats from wetlands to semi-arid thorn forest. They hunt during the day and at night. Their primary prey is small in size (less than 1 kg) and it includes rodents and birds. Its plain pelt has protected it from being hunted for it skin and accordingly it is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN Red List™.
This page has been checked, added-to and republished as at Jan 24, 2022. It was first published on this site in June 2009.
Introduction
There is more to know about the jaguarundi, despite being the most commonly seen wild cat in Central and South America. At the time of publication of the Wild Cats of the World (2002) only three research projects had captured and radio tracked this wild cat. And of those only one had tracked more than three cats. The date of publication is important for all articles on wild cats because their populations and ranges are declining and shrinking – i.e. changing, making older information out of date.
Below is series of three photographs of the jaguarundi, all of which are copyright Jim Sanderson Ph.D. They show the cat with Jim and in captivity. Thanks Jim. Jim Sanderson is probably the foremost expert on the small wild cats.
I live on an island Off west coast of of Fla. On 3/10/16 a cat that I had never seen before ran in front of my car. I’m 83 and have hunted most of my life but this cat was different it had a long tail sleek body, gray very athletic build. It was coming from the beach toward a mangrove maze when I almost hit it with by car. Beautiful.
Thanks Sherri. There are quite a few sightings of the jaguarundi in southern USA.
We saw one at lake Whitney bosque co.texas.this cat was bigger than a cat with a thick grey coat with a pointed long tail not round like a cat.its ears were bigger and its head was squared off.its shoulders and hips were more muscular than a cat.its eyes were big and teeth bigger than a cat.this is perfect habitat lots of dense brush with cliffs lake and lots of wildlife.we have seen two mountain lions here in the last few years and lots of deer.
Your comment is very interesting indeed. Thanks for sharing. This cat does make a lot of noise and it is a wild noise!
https://youtu.be/OjX7mhfdMCU
I don’t have specific knowledge on how to care for a jaguarundi. It’ll be an enormous challenge. I have some books on the wild cats so may be able to find something. I’ll try and return with a better response.
My comments are not regarding a sighting as I live with one here in Panama. While doing injections for my cattle two of the workers spotted a large female with baby in tow being run down by a dog pack. The mom escaped leaving baby behind who was caught by my worker. The Tigrillo as many small cats are called here became my “present”! Not having exp.with wild cat types has been a huge challenge and getting nutrition info for a captive Jaguarundi is difficult at best. Any info and guidance would be most welcome at this point. Currently he has approx.5
mos. Still hissing, spitting and gives a piercing monotone whistle when attention is needed and his antics are amazing.
It would not surprise me if she saw a jaguarundi. There are quite a few sightings of this cat in the USA, or cats with a similar appearance. Some of the sightings will be of the jaguarundi, I believe, and although this wild cat species is not meant to live in the USA, in the wild, according to the experts, there does seem to some and they may be escaped cats from private zoos. Quite a lot of people are interested in this species because it does’t look like a conventional cat, as it is weasel-like. Thanks for sharing your experience.