Geoffrey's Cat

The most common wild cat of South America,are good swimmers and agile climbers and are often
Geoffrey's cat, alongside puma, is one of the mostseen residing in trees, preferring a habitat of
southerly of all cats. Discovered by the nineteenthunderbrush as seen in tropical rain forests.
century French naturalist Geoffrey St Hilaire, it isAttempts at breeding the Geoffrey's cat with
nearly the size of a domestic cat with length nearingdomestic felines have been largely unsuccessful. In
two feet (excluding a one foot tail) and weightthe wild, gestation lasts nearly two and a half months
around 5-10 lbs. Oncifelis Geoffroyi, it is seen inafter which two to three kittens are born that
countries of Brazil, Bolivia, Argentina and Paraguay.mature at a prodigious rate, being able to stand at
Color and size vary through its range. The northernfour days of age and climb trees at few weeks.
cats are smaller and have a reddish/yellow base colorFemales are the sole parents and take extra care in
whereas the cats in south of their range are largerchoosing the birthplace. Totally mobile at six weeks,
with a grayish fur. Coat is marked by small darkkittens gain independence at eight months. Owing to
spots that coalesce in upper body, neck and face tothe abundance of prey, rapid maturation of kittens
form stripes. Undersides and chin are lighter and tailand small individual ranges of Geoffrey's cat in the
has black bands. Eyes are set low with ears beingwild, it is believed to be one of the most populous of
black at the back with a central white spot.all wild cats in southern hemisphere - however it is
A solitary, primarily nocturnal cat, the Geoffrey's catalso the most hunted - with nearly 150,000 pelts
is a versatile hunter and preys on a variety of animalstraded annually. Though not endangered at the
including birds, small mammals, insects and fish. Theymoment it may soon be!