Andean Mountain Cat

The rarest cat in Americas, the Andean Mountain Cat is perhaps the least studied feline in the world. Known also as Andean Highland Cat or simply the Andean Cat, it lives in the arid deserts of the high Andes. Given the taxonomic name of the Leopardus Jacobitus, known also as Oreailurus Jacobita, the beautiful cat is often likened to the elusive Snow Leopard owing to similarities in the lifestyle of the two cats. The Andean Cat is nearly two feet long with an approximately one and a half foot tail and stands just over one foot tall at shoulders. Weight is in the range of ten to fifteen pounds.

In adaptation to its high altitude habitat, the cat's coat is long and thick with a base color ranging from gray to reddish brown. Irregular stripes, spots and markings are found on the body, in particular on limbs and the lighter under surface. Tail is long and thick, possibly aiding the cat in its quick movements on rocky cliffs and uncertain terrains. It is banded with dark rings and is light colored at the tip.

Believed to be an opportunistic predator, the Andean Mountain Cat is thought to prey on small animals including chinchillas, viscachas, insects, lizards and birds. Little is known about the social structure and behavior and reproductive profile owing to the extreme rarity of scientific observations of this elusive feline, due to its remote geographical distribution.

The Andean Cat is considered to exist in scattered territories across high altitudes of Andes in dry, rocky and harsh areas in four countries: Argentina, Bolivia, Chile and Peru. It has low population densities and lives a solitary life in areas often separated by human settlements. No subspecies are recognized.

Owing to our lack of research data and information, the exact numbers in the wild and conservation status of this beautiful cat are unknown. No specimens exist in captivity. Average lifespan is therefore unestablished. Conservation status is not entirely known however persecution by humans, including killing the cats owing to local superstitions and hunting them for skins and stuffed cats, have led to the classification of the Andean Mountain Cat as endangered!