Andean cat: description, character, habitat and lifestyle, photo

What is the Andean Forest Cat?

The first description of the Andean cat dates back to 1865, and the first photographs of the animal were taken only in the 1980s. It was they who proved the existence of these predators. The fact is that cats live in hard-to-reach places where no researcher has ever set foot. In 1998, another expedition of scientists to the Andes took place and during the trip they managed to learn more about the cat, for example, they found out that it is quite hardy.

The first video recordings of the beast appeared only in 2000, but scientists considered this a great achievement.

The first video footage of the Andean cat appeared in 2000

Researchers can only guess about the size of the animal’s population. They suggest that it is small - approximately 2.5 thousand individuals. Therefore, the cat was listed in the Washington Convention (CITES), an international government agreement signed for the purpose of nature conservation, which Russia joined in 1992. According to him, any products made from Andean cats are prohibited. The cat is listed in the Red Book as a rare endangered species. In 1999, biologists from around the world created the Andean Cat Alliance, which included researchers from:

Table: place in the classification of the Andean cat

Domain	Eukaryotes
Kingdom	Animals
Type	Chordata
Class	Mammals
Squad	Predatory
Family	Felines
Genus	South American cats
View	Andean cat

Diet

Excellent sense of smell, hearing and vision help the miniature predator in hunting as well as sharp fangs and claws.

The Kodkod most often stalks its victims from ambush, then releases sharp claws at them and sinks its teeth into the neck or head. Eating trophy prey always occurs in secluded places, and not at the hunting site. The animal also successfully hunts birds sitting on tree branches.

For the most part, Chilean cats are ground hunters, killing birds, lizards and rodents for food in ravines and forest areas, feeding on southern lapwing, Australian storm petrels, pheasants and partridges, topacola chuchaos, Chilean pigeons, large native Huet-Huet sparrows, Magellanic thrushes, cayenne pigtails, as well as domestic geese and chickens, while trying to avoid meeting people.

When attacking farmsteads, Kodkods are at great risk, as they often become victims of not only people, but also dogs.

State laws protect the Chilean cat from targeted shootings, but not in all areas of Chile they are observed; such areas are rather a minority.

Description of the Andean cat

Its appearance makes the Andean cat distinguishable from other wild felines, but in some ways it resembles the Pampas cat. In size, the Andean forest is slightly larger than its domestic relative.

According to scientists, the Andean cat is similar to the Pampas cat

External features

The Andean cat is approximately 70 cm long and weighs 4–7 kg. In its structure, the animal is similar to its domestic relative.

The cat's fur is quite long and protects from the cold. The fur color is gray-brown, with a silver tint and dark spots. Their pattern is similar to that which can be seen in the snow leopard. The tail is long (45 cm) and quite fluffy, serving as a blanket for the animal during cold weather. It has a ring-shaped pattern on it.

The Andean cat differs from all representatives of small wild cats in that its fur has stripes.

Character

During rare meetings with people, the Andean cat does not make any special attempts to escape from humans. Therefore, researchers manage to get quite close to it.

In 1998, one researcher followed an Andean cat that came very close to his camp. He filmed it for 5 hours, and the animal behaved as if nothing had happened - yawned, stretched, “wetted” the stones and even managed to sleep a little. And after that he continued hunting.

The Andean cat is practically not afraid of humans, which indicates its fearlessness

These observations indicate that the cat is fearless and quite loyal to humans. It occupies the territory as long as there are viscachas on it - rats that these cats feed on. To successfully live and raise offspring, they need a territory with two or at least one colony of rodents for food.

The only radio-collared Andean cat occupied an area of 47 m2. Scientists suggest that cats roam over larger areas, but there is no scientific evidence to support such arguments. It is also believed that two or three females usually live in the territory of one male.

Habitat

Habitats of the Andean cat - highlands:

Peru;
Bolivia;
Chile;
Argentina.

These animals climb to mountain heights of 3.5–5 thousand meters, going far beyond the forest. That is why they have been little studied.

The highlands of South America are the habitat of the Andean cat

A completely normal temperature range for cats is considered to be 0–4 °C - this is exactly how many degrees remain in the highlands. But higher digital values (4–16 °C) are also acceptable for the Andean cat. The animal also takes frosts calmly. In addition, it can live for a long time without water.

Sometimes the cat can be found in Argentina at lower altitudes - this is where scientists encountered it. It is possible that she came down from the mountains to find food and water. The animal was also spotted in the Peruvian pampas.

Nutrition

The Andean cat feeds on small rodents and reptiles:

lizards;
viscachas (mountain rats);
Read also: Red cat breeds: genetics and specifics of fiery color
Andean cats eat viscacha, a member of the chinchilla family.
mountain chinchillas;
phyllotid mice;
tinamu (birds resembling partridges).

The Andean cat is helped to catch up with prey by its long tail, which is used as a balancer.

Reproduction

There is little information about the reproduction of the Andean cat. Kittens are usually shown in the mountains in April–October. Therefore, it can be assumed that the animal breeds from November to December or from July to August. A female has 1–2 cubs in a litter. They become sexually mature at the age of two.

Andean kittens become sexually mature at two years of age

Males do not participate in raising kittens. The life expectancy of the animal is 9 years.

Features of behavior

Kodkods are equally active at any time of the day, although they only come out into the open when it is completely dark. During daylight hours, they rest in dense vegetation of ravines near streams with heavy cover and in piles of dead gorse, a South American legume.

They are excellent climbers and can easily climb trees over a meter in diameter.

Males have personal hunting territories ranging in size from 1.1 to 2.5 square meters. km., while females occupy smaller areas, only from 0.5 to 0.7 square meters. km.

The Chilean cat spends most of its life hiding among the jungle thickets, in the trees. Although this nimble and cautious animal has almost no natural enemies.

The main danger to the predator is humans, although now cat hunting is prohibited everywhere. Animals regularly fall into snares and traps set for foxes, rabbits, and birds.

The Kodkod is excellent at jumping from branch to branch, but it also navigates well on the surface of the earth, especially when it walks around its territory, updating physiological marks and scratches. If the food supply in the area is insufficient, the boundaries of the property can be significantly expanded.

Thus, it is a classic territorial predator, albeit a very miniature one.

Chilean cats, like most representatives of the cat family, lead a secretive and solitary lifestyle, uniting only during the mating season.

Life in captivity

The Andean cat does not live in any zoo in the world. This is due to the fact that these animals do not survive in captivity. But they are found in nature reserves. So, in 2004, in the Caverna de las Brujas nature reserve in Argentina, a forester met two of these animals (a female and a baby) who were sitting in a small cave at the foot of the mountain.

Since the Andean cat is listed in the Red Book, any purchase or sale of it is prosecuted by law. Therefore, if you are offered to purchase an animal supposedly legally, you should not take the risk and make such a purchase.

Andean cats love mountains and do not live far from them. Therefore, they choose mountain reserves to live and procreate.

One of my good friends dreamed of having a wild cat. When she moved to live in her own house, she felt that she had all the necessary conditions to fulfill her dream. After looking at photographs of small wild cats, she decided to purchase an Andean cat, not knowing that this animal is under state protection. A friend found people willing to sell her this animal. The amount for the cat was in dollars. I remember that translated into rubles it was something like 80 thousand. But the friend did not back down and was ready to pay the money the next day. Luckily, we were invited to a mutual friend’s birthday party. During the holiday, a friend at the table started talking with other guests. One of them, as it turned out, dealt with animals, and he said that it was illegal. It’s good that it all ended with this, because it is unknown what consequences could arise from such a purchase. And a friend bought herself a completely domestic Persian cat.

Purchasing a kitten

Kodkodas can be purchased from imported nurseries, although they are very rare.

The cost of such a pet is high, in terms of Russian currency, one to one and a half million rubles.

In addition, you must carefully study all accompanying documents. Without a full kit and CITES permit, such a pet cannot be kept at home.

History of the discovery of the species

A small inhabitant of the highlands of Latin America was first described by a scientist from Italy, Emilio Cornalli, in the middle of the nineteenth century.

This animal is so secretive that even today there are simply no reliable facts about its way of life.

In 1865, scientists also demanded unconditional facts proving the existence of a mysterious animal, but apart from the skins of animals that occasionally appeared in Indian markets, there was nothing to present to the world community.

It was only in the 90s of the last century that photographs of Andean cats appeared, and at the end of the century the elusive animal was tracked down by researcher and naturalist Jim Sanderson on the border of Peru and Chile. The scientist was able to approach the predator at arm's length and take a series of photographs. At the same time, the Andean cat completely ignored the person and did not show any signs of aggression.

A pair of Andean mountain cats was found at the beginning of this century in the Argentine reserve Caverna de Las Brajas.

Moreover, one of the specimens was a female with cubs, hiding in a small cave high in the mountains. The reserve employee even managed to take a few photographs.

In 2004, in a national park in Bolivia, one such cat was even captured and radio-collared. Observations were carried out for no more than a year, were very meager and only made it possible to confirm the nocturnal lifestyle of the small predator. Soon the individual died in a poacher's trap.

All researchers note that it is impossible to see the same animal twice. The distrustful and secretive animal immediately changes its location after the slightest contact with a person.

Nevertheless, the description made by an Italian scientist in 1865 is fully confirmed based on accumulated facts.

According to the testimony of South American Indians, earlier populations of these animals were more numerous, but cats were simply stoned to death as soon as they approached human camps.

For some reason, killing this animal was considered the greatest achievement. No one has ever managed to tame the distrustful predator. The Indians reported that in captivity the Andean cat is not able to live even a year, it refuses food and water, and simply dies.

Apparently, this attitude of people has developed in the predator a stable habit of carefully hiding, as well as migrating to the most inaccessible mountainous areas.

Most likely, the population of Andean mountain cats is the smallest on Earth and barely amounts to two and a half thousand individuals.

Cultural significance

Bolivians consider the titi to be a sacred animal. Locals perform various rituals for good luck using body parts, skins or stuffed Andean and Pampas cats. The former promise a successful harvest, protect livestock from disease, and silver “kolke-titi” attract wealth.

Villagers believe that Andean cats belong to Pachamama, the goddess who personifies Nature. If upon meeting her pet is friendly towards the person, the next year will go well. If a cat hisses or attacks, expect trouble. The hunter who killed the cat finds himself in Pachamama's debt. He must repay her by performing a religious ritual.

A stuffed animal is made from the prey - the skin is filled with wool, decorated with ribbons, colored threads, coins, and coca leaves. The remains are buried at the site where the cat died. The shaman illuminates the effigy, which the hunter and his family will worship for many years to come. As long as the totem is treated with respect, men can go fishing without fear of the wrath of the goddess.

Members of the Andean Cat Union conduct educational activities among the local population, bringing state laws to remote communities, explaining the importance of preserving rare species. Together with government officials, they participate in organizing agricultural activities and tourism in areas important for the revival of the population.

What does a jaguarundi eat?

Like many small wild cats, the jaguarundi prefers small and easily accessible prey. Usually these are birds, mice, frogs, fish, reptiles and even insects. But she will not refuse larger and tastier prey: armadillo, opossum, iguana, reed hamsters, guinea pigs, prickly chinchillas and Florida rabbits. This cat especially loves the latter.

Also, these wild relatives of our domestic cats sometimes like to eat fruit. For example, in Panama, they, together with monkeys, make joint raids on fig plantations.

These cats also have competitors. What could we do without it? These include: foxes, cougars, bobcats, long-tailed cats, ocelots and coyotes. As you can see, there are quite a few competitors, and they are clearly not timid.

Puberty and reproduction

Thanks to observations by residents of the Andean mountains of cats paired with the opposite sex and with kittens, it can theoretically be assumed that the predator's mating season lasts from July to August. Since kittens were spotted in April and October, it is believed that the mating season may extend into November or even December.

A litter usually consists of one or two kittens born during the spring and summer months. This is typical for many other cat species, which also give birth to young during periods when food supplies are sufficient.

Puberty, as scientists suggest, occurs in animals closer to two years, and the average life expectancy does not exceed ten years.

Lifespan in the wild

There is no reliable information about the life expectancy of Andean cats in their natural environment. The closest relative of the Andes, the Pampas cat can live up to 10 years. Although in captivity the Pampas cat can live even longer. There are known cases when a pampass lived up to 16.5 years next to a person. In theory, the average lifespan of these species may be the same.

The lifestyle of Andean cats does not allow us to calculate how many years they live