All cats are impressive climbers but the margay (Leopardus wiedii) surely takes first prize, thanks to mobile toes and freakishly flexible ankles that allow it to hang from a branch by a single hind foot. This Central and South American jungle cat can even catch itself mid-fall with one paw and continue its climb from there.
This big-eyed beauty was once hunted for its gorgeous coat, decimating its population. Thankfully the legal fur trade is no more and the margay is now pretty much left to its own devices, though numbers remain low.
What do margays look like?
Margays are small spotted cats (a bit larger than a house cat) whose markings resemble those of their larger cousins, the ocelots (Leopardus pardalis). So similar are the two species, in fact, that in some parts of South America, the margay is referred to as the ‘little ocelot’ or ‘tree ocelot’.
Their fur is typically tan or yellowy brown, with black and darker brown spots and rosettes, plus two clearly defined black stripes on their cheeks. Their bellies are whiteish. Their large, widely spaced eyes are a dark orangey-brown and larger than those of an ocelot. A margay’s tail – which has black rings and a black tip – can make up as much as 70 per cent of its body length.
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How are margays well adapted for climbing?
Soft, broad paws, mobile toes and ankles that can rotate 180 degrees enable the margay to keep a tight grip on tree branches and allow for soft landings, while its long tail is excellent for maintaining balance. Margays have even been observed climbing along horizontal branches upside-down.
How big are margays?
Margays resemble ocelots in terms of their body shape, but the margay is a little smaller, measuring 46-69cm in the body, plus an additional 23-52cm of tail. They weigh between 2.3kg and 4.9 kg. Males and females are similar in size.
Where do margays live?
Margays live in the tropical and subtropical forests of Central and South America, almost always at elevations below 1,500m. Margays have been observed as far north as central Mexico and as far south as northern Argentina, though a single individual was shot in Texas, USA, in the 19th century. Population densities tend to be very low, with fewer than five individuals per 100 km squared. Studies indicate that male margays have larger home ranges than females.
What do they eat?
Margays are generalist carnivores, feeding mainly on prey including small mammals, reptiles, birds and eggs. They will also eat fruit and insects. More rarely, they will feed on medium-sized prey too, such as squirrels and rabbits.
How do margays hunt?
Margays hunt and move mostly on the ground but can do so in the trees too. When descending to hunt on the ground, they walk slowly down a tree trunk head first. They are mainly nocturnal and crepuscular (or active at dawn and dusk) and have been observed to be most active between 1am and 5am. Their terrific climbing abilities mean they can even take small monkeys.
In 2005, scientists in Brazil observed a margay imitating the call of a baby pied tamarin monkey, a technique that resulted in the arrival of a group of pied tamarins. This was the first described case of a cat imitating a prey species in the Americas (though First Nation peoples have reported this behaviour in a number of other feline species). The margay was unsuccessful in its attempt to catch a pied tamarin on that occasion, but the researchers could see that the technique was successful in terms of attracting prey.
Are margays dangerous?
No, margays have very little negative impact on humans, save occasionally stealing chickens from forest settlements.
How do margays reproduce?
Scientists don’t know very much about the mating habits of wild margays because these elusive creatures are so rarely spotted, but we know from observing captive individuals that margays are solitary, pairing up temporarily to mate. While other cats are known for having spines along their penises, which are thought to trigger ovulation in the female during mating, margay penises are spineless. Scientists don’t know why but assume this is linked to the fact that ovulation in female margays occurs spontaneously.
Female margays typically give birth to a single kitten (very occasionally a pair) after a gestation period of 76-85 days. Kittens weigh 84-170 grammes at birth, open their eyes after about two weeks and are weened at around two months.
What threats do they face?
As is common with rainforest species, margays are vulnerable to habit loss as a result of deforestation by humans. They are less tolerant than their ocelot cousins of humans, mainly avoiding human settlements – though they will use abandoned plantations if sufficient tree cover remains. This is promising in terms of the long-term survival of the species.
Margays are also at risk for the illegal pet and fur trade. The species is listed as Near Threatened by the IUCN Red List, its population having been severely affected by the legal fur trade before restrictions were brought in in the late 1980s – they were one of the most exploited South American cats. The population is still in decline. Ocelots are a competitor species, so fewer margays tend to be found in places where ocelots are in high numbers.
What's the scientific name of a margay?
The scientific name of a margay is Leopardus wiedii.
Which family do margays belong to?
Margays belong to the Felidae family.
How many sub-species of the margay?
There are 11 suspected sub-species of the margay, with three officially recognised: Leopardus wiedii wiedii, Leopardus wiedii vigens and Leopardus wiedii glauculus.
How big are margays?
They are 46-69cm (head body length), plus 23-52cm for its tail.
How heavy are margays?
Margays approximately weigh 2.3-4.9 kg.
How long do margays live?
Margays have a lifespan of up to 20 years in captivity, likely less in the wild.
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Top image: a margay in Belize. Credit: Getty
