The Jaguarundi
(Herpailurus yagouaroundi)
is an enigma, little is known about this animal that does not look any similar to other small American feline since its elongated and short body is more similar to a marten or a weasel.
Some facts
It has two varieties of coat color: one dark gray and the other reddish, both uniform without any patterns.
The Jaguarundi occurs from the eastern lowlands of Chipinque National Park in Nuevo Leon, Mexico and the western lowlands of Mexico, all the way to southern Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay and south through central Argentina. This is predominantly a lowland species ranging up to 2,000 m, but in Colombia has been reported up to 3,200 m. It is probably extinct in the US (south Texas).
Conservation status and threats
It is listed as "Least Concern" by the IUCN. However, there is currently not enough data to be certain about their conservation status. In Mexico it is a threatened species according to NOM 059.
The main threats to the species are:
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Habitat loss and fragmentation due to the advance of the agricultural frontier, public infrastructure works (power lines, dams, roads, irregular human settlements, tourist infrastructure, etc.).
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Fires.
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Poaching because of human-wildlife conflict.
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Road killings.
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Disease.
The jaguarundi is a very important species as it helps regulate populations of species such as rodents that can become an economic and health risk to humans.
