Margays
Margays
Leopardus wiedii
Costa Rica's second-smallest wildcat, Margays can weigh up to 9 pounds. They are often confused with the smaller Oncilla or larger Ocelot, but Margays have large brown eyes, a broad muzzle, long tail and a reddish-brown coat with distinctive spots and stripes.
The cat's genus, Leopardus, is derived from the Greek "leon" and Latin "pardus" (leopard); its species name, wiedii, comes from Prince Maximilliann zu Wied, the first man to provide a Margay specimen. Margays are also called Tree Ocelots, thanks to their arboreal natures, and in Spanish are known as the caucel.
The cats prefer rainforest habitats, but may also live in tropical dry forest, cloud forest and wooded areas from sea level to 10,000 feet. They spend most of their lives in trees, and sleep in the forest canopy or vine tangles 23-33 feet above the ground.
Margays range from Mexico through Central America, crossing into South America as far as Uruguay and northern Argentina. In Costa Rica, Margays live almost throughout the country, but are reclusive and not often spotted in the wild. They are most common in Corcovado National Park, Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, and Santa Rosa National Park.
The cat's genus, Leopardus, is derived from the Greek "leon" and Latin "pardus" (leopard); its species name, wiedii, comes from Prince Maximilliann zu Wied, the first man to provide a Margay specimen. Margays are also called Tree Ocelots, thanks to their arboreal natures, and in Spanish are known as the caucel.
The cats prefer rainforest habitats, but may also live in tropical dry forest, cloud forest and wooded areas from sea level to 10,000 feet. They spend most of their lives in trees, and sleep in the forest canopy or vine tangles 23-33 feet above the ground.
Margays range from Mexico through Central America, crossing into South America as far as Uruguay and northern Argentina. In Costa Rica, Margays live almost throughout the country, but are reclusive and not often spotted in the wild. They are most common in Corcovado National Park, Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, and Santa Rosa National Park.
This nocturnal mammal is the most arboreal of all New World cats. Their extra long tails provide balance and counterweight for jumping from branch to branch. Their large claws can effectively grasp tree trunks, allowing the cats to hang from just one paw. Unique among all feline species, Margays also have very flexible ankle bones that are capable of rotating 180º, allowing the animal to climb down trees face-first.
Margays are equally comfortable on the ground, and are able to leap an incredible 8 feet vertically and 12 feet horizontally – a helpful tool for catching prey. However, they are most often observed hunting in the trees, where they prefer small vertebrates like birds, squirrels and even monkeys, as well as fruits and leaves. On the forest floor, Margays hunt for rabbits, mice, young agoutis, small amphibians and reptiles.
Margays are equally comfortable on the ground, and are able to leap an incredible 8 feet vertically and 12 feet horizontally – a helpful tool for catching prey. However, they are most often observed hunting in the trees, where they prefer small vertebrates like birds, squirrels and even monkeys, as well as fruits and leaves. On the forest floor, Margays hunt for rabbits, mice, young agoutis, small amphibians and reptiles.