Breed Of The Month: Andean Mountain Cat

It’s wild, it’s rare and it’s fascinating. This breed of the month enjoys the high life in South America!

For this month’s breed of the month, we thought we’d do something a little different and profile a very rare wild cat that lives the high life in South America. The Andean Mountain Cat may be wild, but we’re wild about it after seeing the adorable pictures of this beautiful little feline. An endangered species, we think they’re just too special to let pass us by.

Found in Peru, Chile and Bolivia, this mountain-dweller is no bigger than a domestic cat, although its splendid long tail gives the impression of a much larger animal. Preferring to roam at high altitude, the Andean Mountain Cat is rarely even seen, and most of what is known about the species has been discovered through fieldwork and the discovery of skins. However, it is known that there are none in captivity, and there are estimated to be as few as 2500 in the entire world.

Appearance

Silvery-grey in colour, the Andean Mountain Cat has been compared to a smaller version of the (also rare) snow leopard. It prefers a similar elevation to the snow leopard and shares its bushy tail and well-defined facial features. The length of the mountain cat’s tail (70 per cent of its total body length) helps it balance on unsteady rocks, and it has elongated claws for gripping cliff faces.

Habitat and diet

Because of the cat’s fondness for remote places, it has been difficult for researchers to put together a comprehensive description of its diet, prey and hunting methods. However, it is thought that its main source of prey is the Chinchilla, a small rodent-like creature that shares its habitat.

Endangered

While it is commonly agreed that it is the Andean Mountain Cat’s lack of numbers, rather than direct threats, that put it on the endangered species list, the reduction in chinchilla numbers due to the fur trade could have something to do with the low population. Conservation efforts are being made by the Small Cat Conservation Alliance, and a small but dedicated group of researchers are dedicating their lives to exploring the fascinating creatures and its habitat.

Image Sourced from: wild cat conservation