The elusive jaguarundi is a slender, otter-like wild cat hiding in plain sight.

Nature · Published 3 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Often mistaken for a mustelid due to its elongated body, small head, and short legs, the jaguarundi is a unique neotropical predator. Unlike most cats, this solitary hunter prefers the daylight, navigating diverse landscapes from dense rainforests to arid deserts with a surprising, bird-like chirp and remarkable swimming ability.

The jaguarundi (Herpailurus yagouaroundi) is a medium-sized, slender cat native to the Americas, with a range stretching from central Argentina to northern Mexico. Though it was once found in the Lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas, it is now believed to be extirpated from the United States, with a 2025 declaration of extinction in Texas. Despite its elusive nature, the species is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN, though populations face significant pressure from habitat fragmentation and persecution for preying on poultry.

Physically, the jaguarundi stands apart from other neotropical cats. It possesses a uniform coat that appears in two distinct color morphs—gray and red—which can occur within the same litter. Weighing between 3.5 and 7 kg, it is roughly twice the size of a domestic cat. Its unusual morphology, including 38 chromosomes, suggests a closer evolutionary relationship to Old World cats than to its smaller South American neighbors. Genetic analysis places the jaguarundi within the Puma lineage, making it a close relative of the cougar and a distant cousin to the cheetah.

Unlike the nocturnal habits of many sympatric felids, the jaguarundi is primarily diurnal, often hunting from dawn through the evening. It is a versatile generalist, feeding on a wide array of small prey including rodents, reptiles, and ground-feeding birds. While it is an efficient climber, it prefers terrestrial hunting, often utilizing dense vegetative cover for protection. Its vocal repertoire is equally distinctive, featuring 13 different calls, including a peculiar, bird-like chirp that underscores the unique evolutionary path of this secretive, wide-ranging predator.

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