Jaguarundi
VU

Jaguarundi

Puma yagouaroundi

Unknown

Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jaguarundi

Overview

A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.

The jaguarundi faces severe habitat fragmentation across its range from southern Texas to Argentina, with deforestation for agriculture and urban development eliminating crucial corridor connections between populations. Road mortality poses a significant threat to this ground-dwelling cat, particularly in areas where highways bisect remaining habitat patches. Hunting pressure, both for perceived livestock predation and opportunistic killing, further reduces already fragmented populations.

Threat summary

Habitat

Jaguarundis inhabit dense lowland brush, secondary forests, and woodland edges from sea level to 2,000 meters elevation. They prefer areas with thick ground cover and are commonly found in riparian forests, scrublands, and forest-grassland transition zones throughout Central and South America.

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Frequently asked questions

Why is Jaguarundi classified as Vulnerable?
Jaguarundi is classified as Vulnerable because the population is declining and the species faces a high risk of extinction in the medium-term future if current pressures continue. The jaguarundi faces severe habitat fragmentation across its range from southern Texas to Argentina, with deforestation for agriculture and urban development eliminating crucial corridor connections between populations. Road mortality poses a significant threat to this ground-dwelling cat, particularly in areas where highways bisect remaining habitat patches. Hunting pressure, both for perceived livestock predation and opportunistic killing, further reduces already fragmented populations.
Where does Jaguarundi live?
Jaguarundi occurs in across multiple regions. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Jaguarundi?
The main threats to Jaguarundi are ai-1, ai-2, ai-3, and ai-4. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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