There are few places in the world that have the wide array of wild cats that South America has. They are literally everywhere, though they are so good at staying out of our sight that we would never know it. There are some that we would just assume never come across in the wild, of course, and then others that are as harmless as your house cat. Here are some of the cats of South America and some interesting information about each of them:
Cougar
Easily the most well known of the cats, the cougar is an impressive specimen. Also known as the mountain lion, this cat can grow to lengths of nearly 7 feet. They can weigh in excess of 200 pounds. This cat eats big. They like deer, elk, and any other mammal that they can capture and kill. They are high on the food chain, and have the attitude to go along with it.
Margay
The Margay is nearly the polar opposite of the cougar. They are found in the treetops nearly all the time, and they are endangered in the wild. The Margay is small, and hunts for insects, small birds and other similar food sources. They are impressive in their beauty, if not for their lack of size.
Jaguar
The jaguar is the other fellow that you would not want to come across in the rainforest or anywhere else. The jaguar can weigh in excess of 350 pounds and can grow to lengths of over 7 feet. They are powerful, cunning, and they will eat any mammal they can kill. The jaguar is feared throughout the jungles and wetlands of South America.
Ocelot
Ocelots are like miniature versions of the big cats, minus the huge size and attitude. They are beautiful cats that sleep all day and hunt all night. The ocelot is capable of great leaps, and despite their smallish size can take down a young deer. They were once considered prized for their furs, but are now protected. They are still listed as threatened.
Pampas Cat
The pampas cat is a very unique member of the South American cats. They are different depending on where they live in South America. They are very common in Argentina, and are similar is size to the average American house cat. They do have larger ears, and a bit more of a nasty disposition than the average house cat. They thrive in many conditions and habitats, and their appearance changes drastically depending on the one they end up in.
This is just a few of the impressive cats that inhabit South America. There are others and they are all equally impressive. South American cats are survivors that have learned to live in the harshest of conditions.