Oncilla

Oncilla

The Oncilla also known as the Little Spotted Cat, Tigrillo, Cunaguaro or Tiger Cat, is a close relative of the Ocelot and the Margay. The oncilla’s habitat is the tropical rainforests of Central and South America. Two of the four subspecies live in Brazil.

The Oncilla is a nocturnal animal, which hunts for rodents and birds. Because the Oncilla hunts in the canopy above the range of the margay and ocelot, the three species of cat can reside in the same area without competing for each others food.

The Oncilla grows between 18 to 24 inches long, with a tail anywhere from 10 to 20 inches long. While the Oncilla is somewhat larger than the average Domestic Cat, it is slightly lighter, weighing between 5 and 10 pounds.

Their coat is light brown to rich ochre or grey, with very dark brown or black spots and blotches. The under parts of the Oncilla are lighter with solitary black spots. Their limbs are spotted on the outside, and the long tail has spots at the root, developing into black rings. The Oncilla is a daintily built cat, with a narrow head and a white line above the eyes. The large ears are rounded and black on the outside with a conspicuous white central spot.

The Oncilla is consider to be an endangered species.

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