Leopardus

Leopardus is a genus of small wild cats in the subfamily Felinae, native to the Americas. Members of this group are generally compact and sparsely built, with short legs and tails, and fur patterns that range from solid to spotted or rosetted. They occupy a variety of habitats, from forests and grasslands to mountainous regions, and are typically solitary and elusive.

The genus includes several closely related species, with taxonomic work differing on the exact number. Commonly recognized species include the ocelot (Leopardus pardalis), margay (Leopardus wiedii), tigrina or little tiger cat (Leopardus tigrinus), Geoffroy’s cat (Leopardus geoffroyi), kodkod (Leopardus guigna), Andean mountain cat (Leopardus jacobita), and pampas cat (Leopardus colocolo). In some classifications, additional taxa such as Leopardus pajeros are treated as separate species or as subspecies within colocolo, reflecting ongoing scientific debate over species boundaries in this group.

Geographic distribution spans much of Central and South America, with ocelots extending into parts of southern North America. They inhabit a range of ecosystems, including tropical and subtropical forests, savannas, and high-altitude habitats. Size varies by species, but most Leopardus cats are small, with body lengths typically under a meter and weights from about 1 to 8 kilograms. Some, like the margay, are highly agile climbers and adapted to life in trees, while others are more terrestrial.

Diet consists mainly of small mammals, birds, reptiles, and insects. Reproduction usually yields small litters, and parental care lasts several weeks. Conservation concerns for many Leopardus species center on habitat loss, fragmentation, and human-wildlife conflict, though some populations persist in protected areas and suitable reserves.