Appearance

The pampas cat looks like a domestic cat with a wide muzzle and long hair. Some individuals have long hair, forming a mane running along the back. The appearance of the pampas ocelot varies greatly depending on where they live. The backs of the ears are often grey or black with a white spot, and two brown bars run from the eyes across the cheeks. The nose of the pampas ocelot is pink. The tail may be marked with dark rings. The colour and pattern of the fur can be yellowish-white to grey-brown, smooth or patterned.

Occurrence

The pampas cat is widespread and found in many areas of South America. It lives in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, Paraguay, Uruguay and Peru and marginally in southwestern Colombia.

It inhabits mainly open grasslands, puna and bushland, but is also found in dry open forests, thorn forests, mist forests, floodplains, mangroves, swampy areas, rocky areas and cold semi-arid areas.

Food

Pampas ocelots feed on a variety of small mammals, such as guinea pigs, and especially small rodents. In addition, it has been found to prey on birds and reptiles.

Main threats

The main threat to the pampas ocelot in most of their range is believed to be habitat loss and degradation due to oil extraction, agricultural cultivation and livestock grazing, which also results the reduction of their victims. Other threats include killing in retaliation and hunting for cultural purposes. Pampas ocelots are also killed in road accidents or attacked by dogs.