Oncilla

Leopardus tigrinus

Size: 38–59 cm · 1.5–3 kg
Diet: Carnivore
Activity: Nocturnal
Sociality: Solitary
Lifespan: —

Oncilla is a small spotted cat of Central and South American forests, often called a tiger cat. Deforestation, difficult identification, and hybridization with relatives complicate conservation assessments.

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Key facts

Oncilla (Leopardus tigrinus) is a carnivore animal classified as Mammal · Carnivora · Felidae.
Primary habitats are forest · grassland, with a range across Neotropical.
Activity is nocturnal, sociality is solitary, and conservation status is VU (Vulnerable).
Oncilla is a small spotted cat of Central and South American forests, often called a tiger cat.
It uses forests, cloud forest, shrubland, and grassland edges in Central and northern or eastern South America.

Sources

wikidata.org

Range

Habitat range map

Native rangeOccasional / Transient

Map: Ecoregions 2017 © RESOLVE (CC BY 4.0) · Natural Earth (PD)

Details

Habitat

It uses forests, cloud forest, shrubland, and grassland edges in Central and northern or eastern South America. Main habitat types in this guide are forest, grassland.

Appearance

Typical length 38-59 cm, weight 1.5 kg-3 kg. A small body, fine dark spots, ringed tail, and large eyes are typical.

Behavior

It is nocturnal and usually solitary. It travels through dense vegetation and forest edges at night and can climb well.

Feeding

It is carnivorous. Small mammals, birds, lizards, and insects are taken.

Reproduction

Small litters are born in concealed dens and raised by the mother.

Notes

Habitat loss and human pressure make conservation attention important. Deforestation, difficult identification, and hybridization with relatives complicate conservation assessments.