Five Pampas cats

Pampas Cat Species Complex

For several decades, researchers have been debating the taxonomy of the Pampas cat (Leopardus colocolo), mainly because of the little that we know about this small wild cat. Some authors, such as García-Perea (1994), and subsequently Wozencraft (2005), based on morphological data, recognized three polytypic species: Leopardus colocolo (with 2 subspecies), L. braccatus (also with 2 subspecies), and L. pajeros, (with 7 subspecies). However, others authors (e.g. Johnson et al. 1999; Sunquist and Sunquist 2009), based in genetic data, recognized only one polytypic species, L. colocolo, with several subspecies. Later on, Kitchener et al. (2017) with the intention of clarifying and summarizing all the information, recommended that because of lack of congruity between morphological and genetic studies, we should still consider Pampas cat as a single species with 7 sub species.

However, Nascimento et al. (2020) clarify the situation about the taxonomy of the Pampas cat, by combining the broadest morphological coverage of this species to date with molecular data and ecological niche models. They conclude that there are actually five Pampas cat species in South America with no sub species, which are morphologically diagnosable based on skin and skull traits, have evolved in distinct climatic niche spaces and were recovered in molecular species delimitation. These species are: Desert Pampas cat Leopardus garleppi, Savanna Pampas cat Leopardus braccatus, Pampa cat Leopardus munoai, Colocolo cat Leopardus colocola, and Pajeros cat Leopardus pajeros.

Desert Pampas cat

Leopardus garleppi ​
  • Common names: Pampas cat, Northern pampas cat, Garlepp’s pampas cat, Sachamis, Oskollo, and Tití.
  • Distribution: This species ranges from southern Colombia to northwestern Argentina, including Peru, Bolivia, and Chile. It can be found from sea level up to 5,704 meters above sea level.
  • Diet: Primarily feeds on rodents and birds, and also small reptiles. In the Andes, its diet mainly consists of vizcachas and other rodents.
  • Habitat: Found in a wide variety of habitats, including deserts, dry forests, inter-Andean valleys, and puna grasslands. It has also been reported in agricultural fields.
  • Behavior: A solitary and territorial species. Mainly nocturnal but can also be observed during the day. In the Andes, it uses caves as shelters, while in the Sechura Desert and dry forests, it relies on vegetation for cover. Its feces are often found in latrines, which are small ground depressions or caves. When threatened, it fluffs its fur, growls, and may climb trees.
  • Home range: Varies from 3.3 km² in the northern Peruvian desert to 43.4 km² in the northern Argentine Andes.
  • Reproduction: It is believed that females reproduce from the age of two, with a gestation period of approximately 80–85 days and litters of up to four kittens.

Pajeros Cat

Leopardus pajeros
  • Common names: Pampas cat, and Southern Pampas cat.
  • Distribution: This species ranges from northern Argentina to Patagonia, including the eastern Andes of Chile. It can be found from sea level, but its maximum altitude remains unclear due to overlap with the distribution of Leopardus garleppi.
  • Diet: Primarily feeds on rodents and birds, but also feeds on small reptiles.
  • Habitat: Found in a wide variety of habitats, including Espinal forests, the Patagonian steppe, and high-Andean grasslands.
  • Behavior: A solitary and territorial species. Mainly nocturnal but can also be observed during the day. Its feces are often found in latrines, which are small ground depressions or caves. When threatened, it fluffs its fur, growls, and may climb trees.
  • Home range: Unknown.
  • Reproduction: Females reproduce from the age of two, with a gestation period of approximately 80–85 days and litters of up to four kittens.

Colocolo cat

Leopardus colocola
  • Common names:  Pampas cat, Colocolo, Central Chilean Pampas cat, and Kudmu.
  • Distribution: This species is found exclusively in Chile, mainly in central Chile. It occurs from sea level up to approximately 2,400 meters above sea level.
  • Diet: Primarily feeds on rodents and is believed to also feeds on birds and small reptiles.
  • Habitat: Found in a variety of habitats, including shrublands, sclerophyllous forests, and grasslands. It has also been reported in vineyards and forestry plantations.
  • Behavior: A solitary and territorial species. It is believed to be mainly nocturnal, though it can also be observed during the day. Its feces are found in latrines, which are small depressions in the ground or caves. When threatened, it fluffs its fur, growls, and may climb trees.
  • Home range: Unknown.
  • Reproduction: Unknown. However, it is suspected that females reproduce from the age of two, with a gestation period of approximately 80–85 days and litters of up to four kittens.

Pampa cat

Leopardus munoai
  • Common names: Pampas cat, Uruguayan Pampas cat, and Muñoa’s Pampas cat.
  • Distribution: This species is found in southern Brazil, Uruguay, and the northeasternmost part of Argentina. It occurs from sea level up to 500 meters above sea level.
  • Diet: Primarily feeds on rodents and birds.
  • Habitat: A specialist species of the Pampas grasslands.
  • Behavior: A solitary and territorial species, extremely rare to record. It is presumed to be mainly nocturnal but can also be observed during the day.
  • Home range: Unknown.
  • Reproduction: Females reproduce from the age of two, with a gestation period of approximately 80–85 days and litters of up to four kittens.

Savanna Pampas cat

Leopardus braccatus
  • Common names: Pampas cat, Pantanal cat, and Brazilian Pampas cat.
  • Distribution: This species is found in southern Brazil, Uruguay, and the northeasternmost part of Argentina. It occurs from sea level up to 500 meters above sea level.
  • Diet: Primarily feeds on rodents and birds.
  • Habitat: A specialist species of the Pampas grasslands.
  • Behavior: A solitary and territorial species, extremely rare to record. It is presumed to be mainly nocturnal but can also be observed during the day.
  • Home range: Unknown.
  • Reproduction: Females reproduce from the age of two, with a gestation period of approximately 80–85 days and litters of up to four kittens.