Tiger Cat

Tiger Cat is a small wild cat that inhabits the rain forests of Latin America. Leopardus Tigrinus, it is also named Oncilla, Little Spotted Cat, Tigrillo and Cunaguaro. It is said to have a close genetic and physical resemblance with Ocelot and Margay. About two feet long with a one and a half foot tail, it is longer than the domestic cat, yet it weighs less - in the range of five to ten pounds.

Base color of the fur is tawny. There are many dark colored spots and blotches over its body and limbs. Underside of the body is light and generally lacks spots. Tail is ringed and tipped with black. Skull is small and narrow. Melanistic individuals are sometimes recorded, usually in dense forests where the dark coloration possibly aids in camouflage. Tiger Cats living at higher altitudes generally have greater body markings than the lowland felines of the species.

Solitary and nocturnal, the Tiger Cat is a good climber and often hunts birds. Mainstay though is a terrestrial lifestyle unlike the arboreal dwelling of the Margay. Insects, rodents and reptiles are commonly hunted.

Dense forests of the South American countries are the habitat of the Little Spotted Cat, including Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guyana, Paraguay, Uruguay and Venezuela. Following subspecies are described on the basis of their distribution:

Leopardus Tigrinus Tigrinus - Brazil, Guyana and Venezuela

Leopardus Tigrinus Guttulus - Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay and Argentina

Leopardus Tigrinus Pardinoides - Venezuela, Colombia and Ecuador

Leopardus Tigrinus Oncilla - Costa Rica

Gestational period is of two and a half months in case of Oncilla, after which two babies on average are born. Their development is slower in comparison to the domestic kittens. Life span is believed to be up to fifteen years.

Tiger Cat is maintained in captivity in a number of South American and European Zoos even as it is under threat in the wild owing to deforestation and hunting for fur trade. It is currently classified as near threatened.

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