Mountain Cat
EN

Mountain Cat

Leopardus jacobitus

Unknown

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

Overview

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

The Mountain Cat faces severe population decline primarily due to habitat degradation from livestock overgrazing and mining activities in high-altitude Andean ecosystems. Retaliatory killing by herders protecting livestock poses an additional direct threat, while climate change is altering the delicate balance of its specialized high-altitude habitat. Competition with domestic cats and dogs further pressures this already vulnerable population.

Threat summary

Habitat

The Mountain Cat inhabits high-altitude Andean environments between 3,000-5,100 meters elevation, including rocky outcrops, grasslands, and scrublands. It shows strong preference for areas with abundant rock formations that provide denning sites and hunting cover in the harsh montane climate.

Other threatened species in Felidae

KodkodVU

Kodkod

Leopardus guigna

Unknown
MargayVU

Margay

Leopardus wiedii

Unknown
OcelotVU

Ocelot

Leopardus pardalis

Unknown
JaguarundiVU

Jaguarundi

Puma yagouaroundi

Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Why is Mountain Cat classified as Endangered?
Mountain Cat is classified as Endangered — facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild — because population numbers are declining steeply and key habitats are under sustained pressure. The Mountain Cat faces severe population decline primarily due to habitat degradation from livestock overgrazing and mining activities in high-altitude Andean ecosystems. Retaliatory killing by herders protecting livestock poses an additional direct threat, while climate change is altering the delicate balance of its specialized high-altitude habitat. Competition with domestic cats and dogs further pressures this already vulnerable population.
Where does Mountain Cat live?
Mountain Cat 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 Mountain Cat?
The main threats to Mountain Cat 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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