Jul 8, 2025, 07:59 PM IST
Meet the jaguarundi, a curious creature that blurs the line between cat, weasel-and even otter! Here's the lowdown, served in a friendly tone:
With a flattened head, tiny round ears, and a long tail, its silhouette screams "otter on land" rather than big cat.
No stripes or spots-its fur comes in smooth gray, red-brown, or black shades. Even siblings can have different colors
Unlike most secretive felines, jaguarundis are often seen hunting by day, slipping through bushes after birds, rodents, and small reptiles. They also swim and climb-giving them bonus otter-credit
They don’t roar-but they’re chatty, with at least 13 distinct sounds including purrs, whistles, and bird-like chirps. Still, their elusive nature makes them tough to spot
From Central to South America, their habitat spans forests, scrublands, and streamside cover. Though spotted across 19 countries, they're rarely seen and are even considered extinct in parts of Texas.
They're definitely cats-a unique branch of the puma family-but their weasel-like build, love for water, and otterish charm earn them nicknames like “otter-cat.” It’s a feline that defies simple labels!
They’re also exceptional swimmers-having earned nicknames like “otter-cat” thanks to their love of water and habit of diving in to chase fish
They are generally solitary animals, except during mating season, and can cover large territories.