Southern tigrina
The Southern tiger cat (Leopardus guttulus) is a small wild cat species native to South America. It was long considered to be a subspecies of the oncilla and was recognized as a distinct species in 2013. The Southern tiger cat is in fact closely related to Geoffroy's cat.
Southern tiger cats have a yellowish-ochre coat, patterned with open black rosettes. It is slightly darker than the oncilla, has a larger rosette pattern, and a slightly shorter tail.
Southern tiger cats are found from central to southern Brazil in Minas Gerais and Goiás states, in the Atlantic forest, eastern Paraguay, and northeastern Argentina. They live in dense tropical and subtropical rainforests, deciduous and mixed pine forests, open savannahs, and beach vegetation.
Southern tiger cats are solitary and typically nocturnal animals; however, they may sometimes be active during the day possible to avoid ocelots. Southern tiger cats often live in the same habitat as ocelots. In areas with a high ocelot concentration, Southern tiger cat populations are smaller, due to competition. When ocelots are scarce, it allows Southern tiger cats, to have better opportunities for shelter, food, and territory, which therefore allows them for larger population size and density. This phenomenon is called the “ocelot effect”. Southern tiger cats spend most of their time on the ground but they are also excellent climbers. When sensing danger they arch their back and raise their hair, show their teeth, and produce a “whistling-spitting” vocalization.
Southern tiger cats are carnivores that prey mostly on small mammals, birds, and lizards. They prefer prey that weighs less than 100 g (0.22 lb), but may also hunt larger-sized prey up to 1 kg (2.2 lb).
Little information is available about the mating system and reproductive behavior of Southern tiger cats. It is known that they usually breed throughout the year. The gestation period lasts for about 75-78 days and females give birth to 1-3 cubs. The young are born blind and helpless and their eyes open at 8-17 days. Mothers play an important role in teaching their cubs how to hunt and survive in the wild. Weaning occurs at 2-3 months of age and young achieve adult body size when they are 11 months old. Young Southern tiger cats usually become reproductively mature at about 2-2.5 years of age.
The biggest threats to Southern tiger cats include habitat loss and deforestation, hunting by local people, road kills, diseases spread from domestic dogs, and the use of rodent poisoning.
According to IUCN Red List, the total population size of the Southern tiger cats is around 6,047 mature individuals. Currently, this species is classified as Vulnerable (VU) on the IUCN Red List, and its numbers today are decreasing.
