This wildcat looks like an otter, and also can spit

This wildcat, native to America, with its captivating appearance, feels at home everywhere from tropical rainforests to deciduous forests, from deserts to scrublands. It's about twice the size of a domestic cat and unlike other small wildcats, it's more active during the day.

The name jaguarundi comes from an old Guarani word. In this Latin American indigenous language, “yaguarundi” means dark jaguar. However, despite this, it’s not closely related to the jaguar, but to the puma.

1.) They share ancestry with Geoffroy’s cat

Étienne Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire, a French naturalist, was the first to find two jaguarundi skins and skulls. Based on these findings, he proposed the species and gave it a scientific name. Both Felis jaguarundi and Geoffroy’s cat owe their recognition to this scientist.

They have no subspecies and are recognized as the only species of the Herpailurus genus, which is quite rare. Genetically, they are closest to the puma. The oldest fossils of modern jaguarundis date back to the late Pleistocene period from Brazil, about 0.5 million years ago.

2.) How they relate to the fast and stylish cheetah

Comparing a jaguarundi to a cheetah, even based solely on their appearance, one wouldn’t think they have anything in common, not to mention that the former lives in America while the latter lives in Africa. However, genetic analyses show that after the puma, the jaguarundi is the closest relative to the cheetah.

This information seems less far-fetched when we know that there were cheetahs living in North America for millions of years until about 12,000 years ago. American cheetahs went extinct simultaneously with mammoths, giant ground sloths, and American lions. However, pumas and jaguarundis managed to survive despite the tough conditions, making them incredibly adaptable and resilient.

3.) Deforestation does not affect them

Unlike other small wildcat species, jaguarundis live and hunt in open areas as well as forests. Moreover, deforestation doesn’t seem to have a significant impact on their populations or quality of life, according to experience so far. Despite external pressures, they are classified as least concern species on the Red List.

4.) Not your average wildcat

They are often referred to as otter cats, which is evident when we look at their distinctive faces, slender, elongated bodies, and short legs. These characteristics make them stand out among wildcats, not only because they lack spots. (Kittens are born with spots, but these gradually disappear by the age of 3 months.) Their fur is uniformly colored throughout their bodies, or more accurately agouti. Agouti hairs contain multiple shades of pigment and are one of the oldest colorations found in wild animals, as well as in dogs and cats.

Unlike South American small wildcats with 36 chromosomes, jaguarundis have 38 chromosomes. This makes their chromosomal features much more similar to those of ancient felids, such as the leopard cat, which has been used to breed the Bengal hybrid.

The red and gray colors do not distinguish subspecies, as was long believed. Both shades can be present in the same litter.

5.) Their habits are extraordinary too

Contrary to spotted wildcats, jaguarundis are most active during the day. These wildcats start moving around in the early hours of the morning and hunt mostly between late morning and noon.

They primarily capture prey on the ground but are also adept swimmers, capable climbers, and can leap up to 2 meters high to catch birds in flight. They have been observed at altitudes of 3200 m in Colombia, but generally do not venture 2000 m above sea level.

6.) They have sophisticated communication

Jaguarundis communicate naturally through pheromones, but according to scientists’ observations, they are extremely vocal cats who choose from a wide range of sounds when they need to make their voices heard. They have been observed to produce 13 different sounds, including chirping, growling, purring, roaring, or a unique whistle-like sound. When they feel threatened, they hiss, much like our pets, and can even spit.