Margai - long-tailed cat: description of species

As many animal lovers say, there are no ordinary cats, and proof of this is not only the inhabitants of the wildlife, but also pets that surprise with a variety of colors, habits and habits. But special attention deserves the American long-tailed cat margai, because its exotic appearance can not leave anyone indifferent. In addition, this predator is on the verge of extinction and is often kept at home or in zoos.

How does a long-tailed cat

Pretty cute predators are able to simply fascinate everyone with thick soft wool and an unusual pattern on the body. It consists of differently shaped rosettes and spots brownish-buff, dark brown or rusty-gray with an ebb (large located along the spine, small ones - on the paws, and on the tail - wide semirings). The abdomen of these mammals is colored in a lighter color.

The weight of adults varies from 4 to 8 kg. Living in the wild long-tailed cat strikes surprisingly large eyes with pupils of lenticular shape, which are very effectively edged with black and white stripes.

The animal differs from its relatives and large standing oval ears, fluffy white mustaches, large nose with a dark tip, and short hair. The length of the body of males and females is from 60 to 80 cm. At the same time, their tail can not be called short because it is about 50 cm long.

It is worth noting, the description of the long-tailed cat shows that this is a fairly large animal and very similar to the oncillus or ocelot.

Habitat of long-tailed cats

For the first time a predatory mammal managed to notice the prince Maximilian Vid-Neuid, who collected specimens of animals in Brazil. At the moment, these cats can be found in the dense, moist and evergreen forests of Central and South America. They are distributed in Cuba, Belize, Ecuador, Panama, Uruguay, Brazil, Guyana, Peru, northern Colombia, eastern and northern Paraguay, as well as in northern Argentina.

With care the long-tailed cat refers to the woodlands and does not tolerate the cold. Sometimes wanders on coffee plantations. The individual territory of one individual occupies from 12 to 16 square kilometers, but occasionally they partially overlap.

It is noteworthy that the margai is very good at climbing trees, that's why it is often seen in the thick crown.

Lifestyle of a wild American cat

Long-tailed predators spend most of their time on trees where they not only rest, but also hide from enemies, and also hunt. Sometimes they build a shelter in abandoned burrows or hollows. They lead a solitary way of life, and males are supportive of females only in the mating season - the rest of the time they drive cats out of their possessions, treat them with caution.

Usually, males, looking for a partner for the continuation of the genus, follow the special scent marks and after mating they are not in a hurry to leave the female. They hunt with her, and leave only before childbirth and in the upbringing of the offspring do not participate. Kittens are born 80 days after conception in a special pre-arranged, well-disguised lair. It can be located in dense foliage on trees or in the forest more often. On the hunt, the little ones go out with their mother only on the 2nd month of life, and they begin to lead an independent life with 10 months. Mortality of young animals is above 50%.

Like many members of the feline family, the young hogs appear blind and are only seen after 2 weeks.

How does one get his food

Due to its unique anatomical features, a margai or long-tailed cat perfectly climbs trees, easily leaping from branch to branch. It is in the thick crone that she searches for birds, small rodents and reptiles. Sometimes does not disdain fruit of fruit trees, grass, lizards, frogs, ravages bird nests and attacks porcupines or small monkeys. He goes hunting after midnight, hunting down the victim from ambush, but returns to the lair by 5 o'clock in the morning. However, some subspecies living on the territory of Brazil, are almost active around the clock.

Life in captivity

Some South Americans prefer to keep the margaia as a pet, even though it is rather difficult. Animals are also found in many European and American zoos, but they multiply very poorly there, because only 50% of the cubs survive to a year.

In specialized nurseries, the long-tailed cat is sold absolutely legally. In addition, it lends itself to domestication and gets along with the person, but other small pets simply become its prey. To keep the predator is recommended to create a warm and spacious aviary with tree trunks, branches and green plantations. In the daily diet of the beast must include meat with bones (from 300 to 500 grams), calcium supplements and vitamins. In captivity, predators live about 20 years, while on freedom - only 10.

It's interesting to know

American cats have amazing abilities, their long tail is not just an ornament. It is with his help that the margai can ideally land on 4 paws, and also easily jump from branch to branch, like a squirrel. An interesting fact is that the hind limbs can rotate around the longitudinal axis 180 degrees around the longitudinal axis, and thus the animal releases its front paws while moving around the tree. Therefore, often in the photo a long-tailed cat is depicted hanging on a branch upside down (it is held only by hind limbs or by one paw at all).

Scientists in 2005 managed to find out that the margai can successfully imitate the sounds of the young tamarins. By publishing appealing cries of monkeys, she successfully attracts the attention of curious animals during the hunt.

At the present time, the main enemy of this spotted predator is man. The population of margai is sharply reduced due to deforestation of tropical forests and poachers, which kill animals for the sake of beautiful fur. For these reasons, the long-tailed cat is on the verge of extinction and interstate agreements are strictly forbidden hunting for it. Also, it is not allowed to trade products made from representatives of the species. Illegal catching of cats is also punished with the aim of selling exotic animals on the black market.