Information Regarding the Tiger Cat

Also known as Oncilla, Tiger Cat is said to have aDense forests of the South American countries are
close genetic and physical resemblance with Ocelotthe habitat of the Little Spotted Cat, including Argentina,
and Margay. About two feet long with a one and aBrazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guyana,
half foot tail, it is longer than the domestic cat, yet itParaguay, Uruguay and Venezuela.
weighs less - in the range of five to ten pounds.Following subspecies are described on the basis of
Base color of the fur is tawny. There are many darktheir distribution:
colored spots and blotches over its body and limbs.Leopardus Tigrinus Tigrinus - Brazil, Guyana and
Underside of the body is light and generally lacks spots.Venezuela
Tail is ringed and tipped with black. Skull is small andLeopardus Tigrinus Guttulus - Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay
narrow. Melanistic individuals are sometimes recorded,and Argentina
usually in dense forests where the dark colorationLeopardus Tigrinus Pardinoides - Venezuela, Colombia
possibly aids in camouflage. Tiger Cats living at higherand Ecuador
altitudes generally have greater body markings thanLeopardus Tigrinus Oncilla - Costa Rica
the lowland felines of the specie.Gestational period is of two and a half months in case
Solitary and nocturnal, the Tiger Cat is a good climberof Oncilla, after which two babies on average are
and often hunts birds. Mainstay though is a terrestrialborn. Their development is slower in comparison to the
lifestyle unlike the arboreal dwelling of the Margay.domestic kittens. Life span is believed to be up to
Insects, rodents and reptiles are commonly hunted.fifteen years.