Geoffroy's Cat
Oncifelis geoffroyi paraguae
WILD STATUS
Endangered
Endangered
DISTRIBUTION
Paraguay, South East Brazil, Uruguay and Northern Argentina.
SIZE
Weight varies from 3-7.7 kg (7-17 lbs.)
HABITAT
A variety of habitats including open bush, scrubby woodlands, rocky terrain and riverine forest.
REPRODUCTION
After a 62-76 day gestation period, 2-3 kittens are born. They develop more slowly than the domestic cat.
DIET
Mainly nocturnal, the Geoffroy’s Cat hunts both on the ground and in the trees. It climbs and swims well and preys on small mammals such as mice, rats, guinea pigs, some birds and lizards.
After a 62-76 day gestation period, 2-3 kittens are born. They develop more slowly than the domestic cat.
DIET
Mainly nocturnal, the Geoffroy’s Cat hunts both on the ground and in the trees. It climbs and swims well and preys on small mammals such as mice, rats, guinea pigs, some birds and lizards.
INTERESTING TIDBITS
- Has been observed hauling a large European Hare up into a tree.
- One report from Chile, claims to have seen a female Geoffroy’s Cat swim across a 30 metre wide river 20 times.
- Geoffroy’s Cats have the ability to stand on their hind legs using their tail as balance.
- After the North American bobcat, it has the most frequently traded pelt. About 25 adult cats are killed to make one fur coat.
- Recently, a new threat to the survival of these cats has surfaced. In their search for new and unusual cats, indiscriminate domestic cat breeders have begun to cross Geoffroy’s Cats with a variety of domestic cats.
- Versatile and tolerant of moderate deforestation, Geoffroy’s Cat has adapted to the presence of humans better than the other small South American cats. Rather than flee a disturbed area, they seek out and take advantage of lack of competition.
- In some areas, they are trapped and kept for pets and rodent control. In other areas they are considered a threat to poultry and are shot on site and in yet another area, they are considered a culinary item.
- So little is known of these cats, it is impossible to judge the impact of habitat loss and hunting. Pelts are still for sale in Uruguay and Paraguay.
HABITAT RANGE
ANIMAL FACT SHEET
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