Geoffroy's cat
ExploreMammals
Geoffroy's cat
Leopardus geoffroyi
Geoffroy's cat is a small, spotted wild cat that lives in South America. They are playful and love to climb trees, making them great hunters in their forest homes.
Habitat: Grasslands
Appearance
The Geoffroy's cat has a striking coat with numerous small black spots, often against a yellowish-brown to grayish background. It features distinct dark bands on its head and neck, and some individuals are entirely black, known as melanistic.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassMammaliaOrderCarnivoraFamilyFelidaeGenusLeopardus
Category
MammalsRarity
Common
Danger
3/5 · Moderate
Snaps
Be the first to snap!
Interesting facts
Geoffroy's cats sometimes stand on their hind legs to get a better view!
It's named after a French naturalist, Étienne Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire!
One of South America's smallest wild cats, only about the size of a house cat!
These cats can survive in super cold places like the snowy Andes mountains!
Special abilities
Ability
Aquatic Hunter
Geoffroy's cat can swim exceptionally well because of its agile body, which helps them catch fish and frogs.
Ability
Night Vision
Geoffroy's cat has excellent night vision that helps them hunt small prey under the cover of darkness.
Ability
Climbing Prowess
Geoffroy's cat can climb trees skillfully because of its sharp claws, which helps them escape predators or rest.
Measurements & details
- Length
- 45-75 cm
- Weight
- 2-8 kg
- Lifespan
- 10-18 years
- Top Speed
- 35 km/h
- Litter Size
- 1-4
- Gestation
- 67-78 days
Diet & Feeding
This small cat is a skilled hunter that eats rodents, birds, fish, and insects.
Primary Foods
- rodents
- birds
- fish
- frogs
- insects
Foraging Method
- Ambush
Ecological connections
hunts
Brazilian guinea pig
Cavia aperea
A common prey item in their habitat.
hunts
Rufous-bellied thrush
Turdus rufiventris
Often hunts various small bird species.
eaten by
Boa constrictor
Boa constrictor
Young cats can be prey for larger snakes.
eaten by
Puma
Puma concolor
Larger predators may occasionally hunt them.
Traits
Furry
Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur.
Spotted
Marked with spots or patches of a different color.
Solitary
Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care.
Arboreal
Arboreal animals live primarily in trees, utilizing them for shelter, food, and protection from predators.
Grassland
Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals.
Ambush Predator
An ambush predator hunts by patiently waiting and concealing itself, then launching a sudden attack when unsuspecting prey comes within range.
Carnivorous
This trait identifies organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of animal tissue.
Speedster
This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel.
Nocturnal
Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day.
Endangered
Endangered status indicates a species is at a very high risk of extinction in the wild in the near future.
Also known as
Geoffroy's Wild Cat
Collections
Safety
Danger
3/5 · Moderate
Geoffroy's cats are wild animals, so it's best to admire them from a distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to identify Geoffroy's cat?
The easiest way to identify Geoffroy's cat is to use the Snappit nature identifier app.
How long is Geoffroy's cat?
45-75 cm
How much does Geoffroy's cat weigh?
2-8 kg
How long does Geoffroy's cat live?
10-18 years
How fast can Geoffroy's cat move?
35 km/h
What does Geoffroy's cat eat?
This small cat is a skilled hunter that eats rodents, birds, fish, and insects.
Where is Geoffroy's cat usually found?
Grasslands
How does Geoffroy's cat hunt?
Ambush
Snap Map
Zoom in to split clusters and explore where this object has been snapped.
Loading map…
Recent Snaps
Recent snaps will appear here as new observations are added.
