Taxonomy
Kingdom- Animalia
Phylum- Chordata
Class- Mammalia
Family- Felidae
Order- Carnivora
Genus- Herpailurus
Species- H. yagouraroundi
Evolution
Subspecies- Herpailurus yagouaroundi yagouaroundi,Herpailurus yagouaroundi ameghinoi, Herpailurus yagouaroundi cacomitli.
Species Existence- Jaguarundi's has been around Central and South America for thousands of years.
Closest Living relative- it's most related to cougar.
3 Ancestors - the prehistoric cats of the genus Puma, Puma concolor ( the cougar) and puma pardoides.
Description
Physical Description - it has a long, slender body, a flattened triangular head with short, rounded ears; an extremely long tail and short, powerful legs. also in Mexico its sometimes called the " otter cat."
Key Characteristics - slender body, short legs, and long tails.
Size- approximately 3 to 4 feet.
weight - 15- 20 Ibs.
Life Span - 16 - 22 years in captivity.
Difference between males and females- Females somehow shorter and Males are larger and havier.
Habitat Description
How much rainfall - live in various habitats like forests, grasslands, and swamps. they dont get rainfall themselves, but they do live in regions where the average annual rainfall can range from 40 to 100 inches.
Plants- mesquite and cactus.
Animals - rabbits, birds, reptiles, and occasionally insects and fish.
Temperature - they inhabit warm climates, but they can tolerate a range of temperature depending on their habitat.
Terrain - they are found in various terrains, imcluding forests, scrublands, grasslands, ams wetlands.
Distribution
Continents Found - North and South America.
Invasive - none
Diet
What it eats - diet primarily consists of small mammals, birds, reptiles, and sometimes fishes and insects.
How often it eats -typically eat whenever they find suitable prey, which can vary from daily to every few days depending on the availability of food in their habitat.
how does it get its food - by stalking and ambushing prey using their keen senses of sight and hearing.
any special foods- it doesnt have a specific special foods, it adapts its diet to what is available in its environment.
Social Structure
Live in pack or solo - Solo
Roles within community - each individual primarily focuses on its own survival, hunting, and territory maintenance.
Male or Female led groups - they don't typically form groups with clear leadership structures led by either males or females. while females may take on the responsibility of caring for and protecting their young.
Individuals that make up the group - adult males, adult females, and their offspring
How do they interact with each other - they primarily interact with each other during mating, territorial disputes, or when caring for young. interactions can include vocalizations, scent marking, occasional physical confrontations, though they typically avoid direct conflict when possible.
Reproduction
How often do they mate - they typically mate once or twice a year.
How many mates do they have -
Time of year for mating - they don't have a strictly defined mating season.
Mating rituals - once a pair comes together for mating, they may engage in chasing, grooming, and other behaviors typical of feline courtship.
Number of offspring produces at a time - typically give birth to litters of one to four kittens, although litters of two are more common.
Unique characteristics of their mating - is their solitary nature.
Development
Stages of development - infancy, juvenile, subadult, and adult.
How old before sexual maturity - between the ages of 18 months to 2 years.
Activities and environment of stages - Infancy (0-3 months):
During this stage, Jaguarundi kittens are entirely dependent on their mother for care, nourishment, and protection.
They spend most of their time nursing, sleeping, and bonding with their mother and siblings in a den or secluded area.
Juvenile (3-12 months):
Juvenile Jaguarundis start to become more active and playful, honing their coordination and hunting instincts through mock hunts and exploration.
They begin to venture outside the den, accompanying their mother on short hunting trips and learning essential skills like stalking and pouncing.
Their environment consists of the surrounding habitat, including forests, grasslands, and scrublands, where they explore under their mother's supervision.
Subadult (12-18 months):
Subadult Jaguarundis continue to refine their hunting skills and independence, often starting to hunt small prey on their own.
They may begin to roam farther from their mother's territory, seeking out their own hunting grounds and potential mates.
This stage is crucial for developing the strength, agility, and social skills necessary for survival as an adult.
Adult (18+ months):
Adult Jaguarundis are fully independent and establish their territories, which they mark with scent markings and vocalizations to deter rivals.
They are skilled hunters, capable of taking down a variety of prey, including rodents, birds, and small mammals.
Their environment includes a well-defined territory that provides adequate food, shelter, and breeding opportunities.
Throughout each stage, Jaguarundis adapt to their changing environment, developing the necessary skills to thrive in their habitat and eventually contribute to the next generation's survival.
Difference between males and females - jaguarundis are typically larger in size compared to females. Additionally, there may be differences in behavior related to mating, territory marking, and social interactions, though these can vary depending on environmental factors and individual personalities within the species.
Causes of death
Predation - larger carnivores such as jaguars, pumas, and even larger birds of prey like eagles.
Sexual Competition - it can lead to fatalities, especially among males competing for mates.
Disease - its a important factor affecting jaguarundi populations. they can be susceptible to various infectious diseases, including viral, bacterial, and parasitic infections.
Other Causes - could include accidents such as vehicle collisions, habitat destruction, human persecution ( like hunting or trapping), and food scarcity.
Competition
Inter-species- within the species -
Intra - species- with other species
what do they compete over
Affect of invasive species -