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Geoffroy’s Cat

Species Facts

Geoffroy’s cat has a shorter tail and a more flattened head than a domestic cat, though it is about the same size. The background color of its fur ranges from smoky gray to tawny, with many intermediate shades. Its belly fur is white or cream-colored. The cat’s body also is covered with numerous small black spots, and the tail is ringed with dark bands.

  • Scientific Designation: Leopardus geoffroyi
  • Endangered Status: Least Concern (LC)
  • Lifespan: Up to ~ 14 years
  • Weight: 2-6 kg
  • Body Length: 45-75 cm
  • Height: 15-25 cm
  • Tail Length: 24-38 cm

Diet

Although the Geoffroy’s cat is an accomplished climber, it spends most of its time on the ground. This solitary, primarily nocturnal cat feeds on small rodents and birds.

Map shows South America. There is a large region indicating where this cat is extant, or resident, covering the southern half of the continent, with the except of the Andes mountains and the Chilean coast.

Species Distribution

The Geoffroy’s cat is found in South America from sea level to elevations as high as 3,300 meters. This species inhabits a wide variety of temperate and subtropical habitats, including pampas and marsh-grassland mosaics.

Distribution map courtesy of IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature), compiled in 2015.

Threats to the Geoffroy's Cat

Despite being a generalist in habitat and diet, the Geoffroy’s cat is threatened by habitat loss and hunting (for its pelt). The Geoffroy’s cat is currently classified as Least Concern (LC) by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and protected under appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES).

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