11D Margay Kitty Kat Purrsssssssss

[Ricardo MadGello]

Felis wiedii

http://www.belizezoo.org/zoo/zoo/mammals/mar/mar3.html


Margays are probably the most nocturnal of all the cats of Belize. Known as
the "tiger cat" in Belize, the Margay lives most of its life in the canopy
of the tropical forests. This small cat is perfectly adapted for life in the
trees - it is the only cat with ankle joints that can rotate sufficiently
for it to climb headfirst down vertical trees.

Being an excellent climber, the margay feeds on arboreal prey such as rats,
squirrels, opossums, monkeys and birds. The margay's eyes are very large and
the eyeshine at night is extremely bright. Margays are very secretive, and
prefer the more remote and dense sections of forests in Belize. Because of
this, margays are rarely seen.

Margays do not adapt well to human disturbance of its habitat. This cat is
listed as an endangered animal, though the status of its population
throughout its range from Mexico to Argentina is unknown. Belize is thought
to have one of the healthier populations of Margays in Central America.