SUPER SURPRISE THURSDAY #3!

SUPER SURPRISE THURSDAY#3

SURPRISE!! It’s Thursday, and we have a special little mammal for today’s Super Surprise! If you’re a bird or a rodent living in rainforest of Central and South America you don’t want to be caught by surprise by this stealthy feline!

MEET THE MARGAY!

Range/Habitat: Central-South America- Mexico to Argentina/Rainforest

Diet:  Carnivore: mice, rodents, birds and occasional fruit

Length/Weight: 18-31”/ 5 ½-8 ¾ lbs

Conservation Status: Near Threatened

Fun facts:

• The Margay is an excellent climber. It is arboreal (it spends most of its time in trees).
• They have large flexible paws that help them climb and grip branches. They have even been known to hang from a branch by one paw! WOW!
• Their back ankles are able to turn 180 degrees, also helping them grip tree branches.
• They are able to run head first down a tree (very unusual for cats-just ask your pet cat how hard this is). Clouded leopards are the only other cat known to do this.
• They have long tails to help them balance.
• Margays are nocturnal (active at night).
• Margays have large eyes and ears to help them see and hear at night.
• They have been observed mimicking (making similar sounds) monkey sounds to lure monkeys closer to them.

These special felines are amazing! They have some special adaptations to help them survive life in the trees. Can your pet cat make bird sounds to lure birds? Our cat friend can’t do that!