Jaguarundi: status, range, size and diet
A long-bodied, short-legged, plain-coated cat of the Americas that hunts by day, moved to Near Threatened in 2026.
Also known as Herpailurus yagouaroundi, Puma yagouaroundi, eyra cat, otter cat
At a glance
| Scientific name | Herpailurus yagouaroundi |
|---|---|
| Group | Small wild cats |
| Weight | 2.5-7.6 kg |
| Length | Head and body about 49-78 cm, tail 28-59 cm |
| Known for | An otter-like shape and a plain coat unlike any other American cat, closely related to the cougar. |
Status
| IUCN Red List category | Near Threatened |
|---|---|
| Assessed in | 2026 |
Where it lives
| Range | From northern Mexico through Central America and South America east of the Andes to central Argentina |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Rainforest, dry forest, thorn scrub, savanna, wetland and farmland edge, usually below 2,000 m |
| Diet | Rodents, birds, reptiles and other small animals, mostly prey under 1 kg |
Main threats
- Habitat loss and fragmentation
- Road deaths
- Persecution and trade
- Disease from domestic dogs
About
The jaguarundi has a low, elongated body, short legs, a small flat head and a long tail, which gives it an unusual, weasel-like profile. The coat has no spots. It comes in a dark brown-black phase, a grey phase and a reddish-yellow phase, and in the past the colour forms were thought to be separate species. Unlike most cats, it is largely active by day.
Despite its looks, its nearest relative is the cougar. The species is placed in its own genus, Herpailurus, by the IUCN Cat Specialist Group, although some authors include it in the genus Puma. It is a good climber and swimmer, and it has a wide repertoire of at least a dozen different calls, including purrs, chirps and whistles. It can leap about two metres to catch birds.
Where it lives and what it eats
Jaguarundis range from northern Mexico through Central America and across South America east of the Andes to central Argentina, Paraguay, Brazil and Uruguay. Records from the southern United States are old, and the cat may no longer live there. The cat occupies a very wide range of habitats, from rainforest to dry scrub, marsh and farmland edge, and keeps close to dense cover.
It is a generalist predator. Rodents, birds, lizards and snakes form most of the diet, along with insects and now and then rabbits, opossums or armadillos.
Threats and conservation
In July 2026 the species was reassessed on the Red List and moved from Least Concern to Near Threatened. It is thought to occur at low densities, often one to five animals per 100 square kilometres or fewer. Deforestation and the conversion of land to farms and pasture reduce both habitat and prey. Jaguarundis are killed by cars, shot after taking poultry, caught for food or medicine and kept as pets. They may also catch diseases from free-roaming dogs.
North and Central American populations are in CITES Appendix I, and other populations are in Appendix II. The species has legal protection in most range countries, but not all.
Cats and people
Some jaguarundis are taken from the wild and sold as pets, and they are not suited to homes. Their daytime habits make them easier to meet on rural roads and farm tracks than most small cats.
Profile last reviewed November 7, 2026