The Margay (Leopardus wiedii, or Felis wiedii) is a spotted cat native to Central and South America. It is a solitary nocturnal animal that prefers remote sections of the rainforest. Because of its seclusive nature the Margay population is undetermined; however it is thought to be endangered. It roams the rainforests from Mexico to Argentina.
The margay is very similar to the ocelot. The head is a bit shorter, the tail is longer, and the spotted pattern on the tail is different. Most notably the margay is a much more skilful climber than its relative. It is the only cat with the ankle flexibility necessary to climb head first down trees.
Subspecies
- Leopardus wiedii wiedii, eastern and central Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, northern Argentina
- Leopardus wiedii amazonica, western Brazil, inner parts of Peru, Colombia and Venezuela
- Leopardus wiedii boliviae, Bolivia
- Leopardus wiedii cooperi, northern Mexico
- Leopardus wiedii glaucula, central Mexico
- Leopardus wiedii nicaraguae, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica
- Leopardus wiedii oaxacae, southern Mexico
- Leopardus wiedii pirrensis, Panama, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru
- Leopardus wiedii salvinia, Chiapas, Guatemala, El Salvador
- Leopardus wiedii yucatanica, Yucatán
bg:Тигрова котка
de:Langschwanzkatze
eo:Akrobata tigro-kato
nl:Margay
wa:Margay
