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Andean Mountain Cat
Leopardus jacobita
J. Reppucci
Description
Based on a world felid species genetic analysis there is generally strong support for the classification of the Andean cat into the genus Leopardus. Previously the Andean cat was classified as belonging to a monotypic genus Oreailurus. This former classification was based on few specimens and in part on the relative size difference in the skull's auditory chambers, a trait which is also found in other felid species. The available information suggests that the Andean cat is closely related to the Pampas cat (Leopardus colocola). The species is recognised as a monotypic species.
The Andean cat is almost twice the size of a domestic cat. They do not seem to be sexually dimorphic in fur colour but comparison of cat skulls and data from a few live-trapped animals suggests that there is a dimorphism in morphology and size. Its coat is very long and thick, about 40 mm on the back and 35 mm on the tail. Its coat is pale silvery grey and marked with brown-yellow, dark grey, or black blotches. Conspicuous thick dark stripes extend down the sides from the back. Prominent dark grey bars also run across its chest, and the legs have narrower dark stripes or blotches which do not form complete rings. The under parts are white and marked with dark spots. Juveniles have lighter colouring and smaller blotches than adults. With its very long, thick fur the Andean cat is well adapted to the harsh climate of its main habitat, the Andean mountains and Northern Patagonia. The tail is characteristic, being very long and bushy, measuring around 66–75 % of the cat’s head to body length and is marked with 6–9 wide dark brown or black rings. This long tail is probably an aid to balance when the cat is hunting. The Andean cat has relatively large ears and a black nose. The Pampas cat also inhabits this region and the two species appear quite similar. They can be distinguished by the colour of the nose and tail length, which are respectively darker and longer for the Andean cat. Additionally, Andean cats are slightly larger and heavier than Pampas cats, with the Andean cat females overlapping in size with larger Pampas cat males. The two species also differ craniometrically. However, detecting these differences remains difficult – especially in the field – and therefore some diagnostic keys were developed. Similar to its prey, the mountain vizcachas (Lagidium spp.) and the mountain chinchillas (Chinchilla chinchilla), the Andean cat has a large auditory bulla. This is typical for animals inhabiting arid environments with little cover for protection.
Weight
4 - 6 kg
Body Length
57 - 75 cm
Tail Length
41 - 48 cm
Longevity
unknown
Litter Size
1 kitten
S. Kennerknecht
Status and Distribution
The Andean cat occurs at low densities and has a patchy distribution due to its specialisation for naturally fragmented rocky habitats. Globally, it is classified as Endangered in the IUCN Red List due to its low population size of less than 2,500 mature individuals, the largest subpopulation being less than 250 mature individuals, and an inferred continuing population decline. The reduction in the population is based on increasing threats such as roadkills, retaliatory killing, and dog attacks, due to rapidly increasing mining activities across large parts of its distribution range and a decrease of sighting reports. Nationally, the Andean cat is classified as Critically Endangered in Bolivia, Endangered in Chile and Peru and Vulnerable in Argentina. In comparison to the Pampas cat, the Andean cat is rare, and genetic analysis suggests that it historically had a small population size. The total population of the Andean Cats was estimated at 4,354 individuals with an estimate of 2,177 mature individuals.
The species occurs mainly in the high Andes of Peru and Bolivia, northern Chile, and northwest Argentina up to 5,180 m but recently has been found in Argentina and Chile outside the Andes, in the Patagonian steppe and scrub habitats at much lower altitudes (as low as 650 m).
P. Meier
Ecology and Behaviour
There is little known about the ecology and behaviour of the Andean cat. For a long time, knowledge about this species has been derived exclusively from furs and a few specimens in museums and it was rarely observed in the wild, but the number of distribution records has greatly increased during the last 25 years.
Most sightings of Andean cats have been made during daytime. However, recent camera trap and radio telemetry studies indicate that it is possibly crepuscular and active at night which is likely to be related to the feeding habits of its main prey. The diurnal activity could be restricted to certain periods of the year. A radio-collared animal in Bolivia was mainly nocturnal and the activity pattern was similar to the ones of mountain vizcachas. The Andean cat is probably a solitary species. It has been seen in pairs during the mating season and with kittens after giving birth. Estimation of mating dates are lacking but camera trap records of kittens from two studies suggest the birthing season takes place between January and March or February and July, respectively.
There is no data available on territoriality. It is possible, as with most felids, that the males have larger territories than the females and that territories overlap to a certain degree between sexes. Due to the naturally fragmented habitat, territories and home ranges may be very large. Home range sizes in Argentina ranged from 18.8 to 61.2 km². The home range was 65.5 km² (95% MCP) for a radio-tracked female in Bolivia and 58.5 km² for a male in Argentina. In the Jujuy province, Argentina, the mean home range size of two females and one male using radio-telemetry was estimated at 79.9 km² (100% MCP) and 46.9 km² (Kernel 95%), respectively.
Main threats
The Andean cat is very rare and most populations are probably isolated. It is not clear whether this is due to the lack of observations and studies, a natural phenomenon due to its patchy distribution, or a result of human activity. The main threats to the species are habitat loss and degradation. Opportunistic and traditional hunting, prey reduction, and killing by dogs are also identified as important threats to the Andean cat. The influence of pathogens on Andean cat populations remains currently unknown due to a lack of studies but the domestic dogs and cats have the potential to transmit diseases and parasites to wildlife.
Habitat loss and fragmentation is mainly caused by extensive mining, resource extraction for fuel, extensive water and soil transformation and contamination from a growing mining and petroleum industry, expansion of agricultural activity, water extraction, and by inadequate livestock management. The most suitable area of the Andean cat lies in the so called “lithium triangle” and is threatened by the growing lithium demand and the increase in road construction and usage, urbanisation, chemical spillage, and contamination of surface and ground waters. In some parts of its range these activities are increasingly affecting the Andean cat populations. Additionally, extractive industries use a lot of water affecting these arid landscapes and thus the suitable habitat of the Andean cat and its prey. Being such a rare species it is usually not included in environmental impact studies. As the Andean cat occurs at low densities and has wide home ranges, this reduces its chances to meet other individuals for mating. The habitat degradation around protected areas may lead to barriers for dispersal and mating, limiting connectivity. Additionally, the increased extent of roads related to mining activities is a potential threat to the species. Furthermore, climate change models indicate that climate change will affect the Andean cat over most of its range. The species will have to shift its range to higher altitudes, resulting in a decrease in the available habitat.
The Andean cat is hunted for its fur and dried and stuffed specimens are used for spiritual ceremonies in many parts of its distribution range. The Andean cat is considered sacred by the indigenous Aymara and Quechua indigenous people and is associated with rich harvests and the abundance and fertility of livestock. It is also thought to be able to transfer supernatural powers to the hunter. In central Peru, Andean cats are also hunted for food and traditional medicine, and in northern Patagonia they are heavily hunted because they are considered to be predators of small domestic livestock and therefore persecuted. This type of hunting activity represents a significant threat to the Andean cat.
Another problem is prey reduction due to hunting of its main prey species. The originally most important prey species, the short-tailed chinchilla, is almost extinct today due to extensive hunting for its fur. It is thought that this decline has negatively affected the Andean cat populations. Today the alternative prey, the mountain vizcacha which lives in patchily distributed small colonies, is hunted for meat and fur and its population is declining locally. This may result in an even more fragmented distribution of Andean cats.
Inter-specific competition between Pampas cat and Andean cat for prey could also have a negative impact. Data from one Andean cat and one Pampas cat radio tracked in Bolivia, and preliminary data from a study on sympatric populations of Andean and Pampas cats in Argentina, indicate high overlap in both their trophic and spatial niches. Lack of knowledge and information of the species, absence of species conservation policies, and poor law enforcement are limiting factors for conservation actions.
Additionally, the genetic diversity of the Andean cat is very low, making it even more vulnerable.
Conservation Efforts and Protection Status
The Andean cat is included in Appendix I of CITES and it is fully protected across its range. Hunting and trade are prohibited in Argentina, Bolivia, Chile and Peru. However, law enforcement is difficult in most of its distribution range and in some parts non-existent.
Since 1999, the Alianza Gato Andino (Andean Cat Alliance) is working on the Andean cat in all range countries in the form of multinational programmes. The focus of these programmes is the mitigation of threats to the Andean cat by using toolkits adapted to the specific needs of each area and local community and by working collaboratively. These programmes include different conservation actions such as the provision of alternative income sources and facilitation of coexistence to change attitudes towards Andean cats to reduce hunting of the species and other carnivores, the reduction of killing of Andean cats by domestic dogs and the transmission of disease, and investigations to fill knowledge gaps in regard to the ecology of the Andean cat and its genetic situation. Knowledge and information on the Andean cat is transferred to schools and communities across the Andean cat range.
As one of the main threats to the Andean cat is large scale mining activities, actions at a political and institutional level are essential to minimise this threat. Additionally, conservation efforts are needed in regard to create awareness for the ecological services that provides the Andean cat and the high Andes habitat, with emphasis on traditional cultural values.
Habitat
The Andean cat is specialized in its habitat requirements. Favourable climatic conditions for the Andean cat are cold, dry, and extreme diurnal variations in temperature. It has been found in the arid and semi-arid sparsely vegetated areas of the high Andes above the timberline at an average elevation of 4,236 m in Argentina, above 3,800 m in Bolivia and between 3,714 and 4,414 m in Chile. These environments have heterogeneous geomorphology, extreme weather conditions with very low winter temperatures, large daily thermal variations all year, and low precipitations, and consist primarily of very rocky and steep terrain with patchily distributed sparse vegetation; all these characteristics are also present in northern Patagonia. The High Andean Peatland (i.e. bofedales or vegas) are also an important resource for the Andean cat. Valleys with patchily distributed rock walls are the preferred habitat. Rock piles and boulders are the only type of cover available at such altitudes and are also important for its main prey, mountain vizcachas. The Andean cat’s distribution and its population densities are heavily influenced by occurrence of these prey species and competition from the Pampas cat. Beside the occurrence of prey, the availability of rocky slopes and watercourses appear to be important habitat features for the Andean cat. The Andean cat is also found within the Andean foothills of Central Argentina and the Patagonian steppe as low as 650 m. It also seems to use the scrublands found in flat terrain. In the southern Andes of Argentina it was detected at 1,800 m, and at 2,200 m in the Atacama Region in Chile. Its distribution range is similar to the current range of the mountain vizcacha and the historic range of the short-tailed chinchilla. Thus, the ruggedness of the landscape is an important predictor of possible Andean cat presence.
Its range covers four eco-regions: the high Andes, the Puna region, the southern Andean steppe and the northern portion of the Patagonian steppe.
Prey
The Andean cat feeds on small mammals, small birds, waterfowl, lizards and insects. Its primary prey is the mountain vizcacha. A recent study in NW Argentina found that small mammals were the most frequent prey items (93% of the samples). Previously mountain chinchillas (Chinchilla spp.) were probably the most important prey but those have become locally extinct and have been extirpated from most of their distribution range due to overhunting.
P. Meier
