Margay
VU

Margay

Leopardus wiedii

Unknown

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

Overview

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

The margay faces severe pressure from deforestation across its range, with habitat loss particularly acute in Central America where forest cover has declined by over 40% in recent decades. Its specialized arboreal lifestyle makes it exceptionally vulnerable to forest fragmentation, as it requires continuous canopy cover for hunting and movement. The illegal pet trade poses an additional threat, with margays frequently captured for the exotic animal market due to their striking spotted coat and relatively small size.

Threat summary

Habitat

Margays inhabit primary and secondary tropical rainforests from Mexico to Argentina, showing strong preference for dense canopy cover. They are highly arboreal, spending most of their time in the forest canopy where they hunt birds, small mammals, and arboreal reptiles.

TERRESTRIAL· major

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Frequently asked questions

Why is Margay classified as Vulnerable?
Margay 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 margay faces severe pressure from deforestation across its range, with habitat loss particularly acute in Central America where forest cover has declined by over 40% in recent decades. Its specialized arboreal lifestyle makes it exceptionally vulnerable to forest fragmentation, as it requires continuous canopy cover for hunting and movement. The illegal pet trade poses an additional threat, with margays frequently captured for the exotic animal market due to their striking spotted coat and relatively small size.
Where does Margay live?
Margay 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 Margay?
The main threats to Margay 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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