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The jaguarundi (Herpailurus yagouaroundi; / ˌ dʒ æ ɡ w ə ˈ r ʌ n d i / or / ˌ ʒ æ ɡ w ə ˈ r ʌ n d i /) is a wild cat native to the Americas. Its range extends from central Argentina in the south to northern Mexico, through Central and South America east of the Andes. The jaguarundi is a medium-sized cat of slender build.
The Gulf Coast jaguarundi is an endangered population of the jaguarundi (Herpailurus yagouaroundi) once ranging from southern Texas in the United States to eastern Mexico. The cat prefers dense shrubland and woodland, yet has been hampered by habitat loss. Since 2017, this population is no longer recognised as a jaguarundi subspecies. [2]
The family Felidae consists of 41 extant species belonging to 14 genera and divided into 92 subspecies. This does not include hybrid species (such as the liger) or extinct prehistoric species (such as Smilodon).
All members of the cat family have the following characteristics in common: They are digitigrade and have five toes on their forefeet and four on their hind feet. Their curved claws are protractile and attached to the terminal bones of the toe with ligaments and tendons. The claws are guarded by cutaneous sheaths, except in the Acinonyx. [12]
Colonies of feral mammals are established in or around the Everglades, including dogs, pigs, and cats. Wild animals native to other parts of the U.S. have also been established, including nine-banded armadillos (Dasypus novemcinctus), coyotes (Canis latrans), and jaguarundi (Herpailurus yaguarondi). [55]
The North American cougar (Puma concolor couguar) is a cougar subspecies in North America.It is the biggest cat in North America (North American jaguars are fairly small). [4] [5] And the second largest cat in the New World. [6]
The jaguar is the largest wild cat in Costa Rica and can grow up to 2 m. They are very rare in Costa Rica and their numbers continue to decline drastically. The jaguarundi looks like a cross between a weasel and a cat. It is plain grey with a sleek body, hunts day and night, and has adapted best to human changes.
Other species include the cougar, jaguarundi, margay, and ocelot. There are a number of unusual mammals found in Nicaragua, including the three-toed sloth, northern tamandua (lesser anteater), and two species of armadillo. [2]