Home › Mammalia › Felidae › Margay (Leopardus wiedii)
SPECIES PROFILE
Margay (Leopardus wiedii)
Leopardus
IUCN STATUS
Near Threatened
CONSERVATION STATUS
Near Threatened
CLASS
Mammalia
GEOGRAPHICAL RANGE
Mexico to Argentina
DIET
Carnivorous
HABITAT
Cloud and rainforest canopy
🔬 Classification
PHYLUM
Chordata
CLASS
Mammalia
ORDER
Carnivora
FAMILY
Felidae
GENUS
Leopardus
📋 Description
SIZE
Up to 80 cm + 50 cm tail; 3-4 kg
COLORATION
Golden coat with dark rosettes; very large eyes
ADAPTATIONS
Ankles rotate 180 degrees so it can climb down trees head-first
🌿 Ecology
HABITAT
Cloud and rainforest canopy
DIET
Carnivorous
GEOGRAPHIC RANGE
Mexico to Argentina
REPRODUCTION
Single kitten
DIET DETAILS
Birds, rodents and tree frogs
⚠️ Threats & Conservation
PRIMARY THREATS
Deforestation, fur trade
💡 Interesting Facts
1
The most arboreal wild cat in the Americas, it can hang from a branch by one hind foot.
2
It even mimics the calls of prey to lure them closer.
🔭 Sighting Guide
📍 BEST PLACES TO SIGHT
Mindo cloud forest
Yasuni National Park
🗓️ BEST TIME TO SIGHT
Year-round
🎯 SIGHTING TIPS
Best seen on night walks in cloud forest; the margay is nocturnal and highly arboreal.
