The Andean Cat: A Feline In Grave Danger
The Andean cat ( Leopardus jacobita ) is a small wild cat endemic to South America. It is one of the most endangered species on the American continent and is one of the most unknown felines on the planet. Its distribution is limited to the mountainous regions of the Andes, Peru and northern Bolivia, Chile and Argentina.
Considered a sacred animal by many Andean tribes, this species has great historical value for local communities. His image is represented in cave paintings engraved by different high Andean cultures, and he is considered a protective spirit of the mountains. If you want to know more about this beautiful animal that is in danger of extinction, read on.
How is the Andean cat?
We are facing a small feline, with a size that varies between 74 and 85 centimeters in length, with a long curly tail that exceeds 40 centimeters in total. Normally, it does not exceed 35 centimeters in height and weighs between 4 and 7 kg. That is, this animal has measurements very similar to those of a domestic cat.
Its coat is long and dense, gray with reddish-yellow spots evenly distributed on both sides of the body. The belly is white. The ears are large and rounded, the nose is completely black and the legs are short and sturdy.
The Andean Cat Habitat
This wild cat lives in arid and rocky environments, with little vegetation and close to water sources. They are found at high altitudes, between 3000 and 5000 meters above sea level, where temperatures are extreme and strong gusts of wind blow continuously.
As these rocky landscapes are not continuous, the habitat of the Andean cat – and its prey – is naturally fragmented. Therefore, human disturbances make their extension even more difficult. The density of their populations is very low, as it is currently estimated that there are about 1378 adult individuals in the wild, but the number is decreasing.
In addition, the Andean cat and the haystack cat ( Leopardus colocolo ) are believed to share territory. The feline that interests us here is a more specialized species with a more limited range of resources than the haystack cat, so it has less advantage in terms of interspecific competition.
Due to its evasive behavior and the difficulty of the terrain, there are few sightings of this animal. Only through advanced techniques, such as the use of camera traps and radio necklaces, was it possible to calculate the number of free specimens.
an elusive and unknown animal
The Andean cat is a solitary feline and very difficult to see, so we don’t know much about its way of life. Its activity is believed to be more frequent at night and in the first half of the day, when it is probably easier to get its prey.
It was found in pairs between the months of July and December, and with offspring between October and April. The dam can protect her litter inside burrowing mammal galleries or in crevices between rocks.
The main prey of the Andean cat are native rodents such as Phyllotis xanthopygus , Lagidium viscacha , Abracoma cinerea or Octodontomys gliroides . It has been documented that it can also capture birds, insects and other small mammals.
Threats to the sacred cat of the Andes
The main threats faced by the Andean cat are poaching, prey shortage and habitat loss. Unfortunately, this feline is considered sacred in indigenous traditions and is offered as a sacrifice at festivals. This, along with poaching to get its skin, are two of the main threats to the species.
The expansion of the agricultural frontier, the inadequate management of livestock and the extraction of water for a growing mining and oil activity in the South American highlands are anthropic activities that are also altering the Andean cat’s habitat.
The monitoring of free specimens, the association between the different countries that host the species and the collaboration of NGOs such as the Aliança do Gato-Andino seek to improve the situation of this wild feline. Knowing more about your species, raising awareness and changing your endangered status is a difficult but not impossible task.
