The Margay is a stunning spotted feline that hails from Central and South America and enjoys wandering through lush rainforests. They bear a striking resemblance to their cousin, the Ocelot, but are known for their incredible tree-climbing skills, making them one of the most agile arboreal felines on the planet.
The Margay is a small wild cat that prefers the cover of dark to hunt, much like the Sand Cat. Itโs a solitary creature, weighing anywhere from 6 to 20 pounds (2-9kg), with a tail that matches the length of its body. The Margay possesses many physical attributes that make it an excellent tree climber. Its long legs, flexible joints, and lengthy tail allow the creature to move quickly and gracefully through the trees. The Margay chooses to remain in the trees to keep itself safe from predators. Its tail helps it balance and allows it to leap from branch to branch with ease. Moreover, Margays can hang themselves upside down like primates with just their hind legs. What sets the Margay apart from other felines is that it can turn its ankles 180 degrees outwards, allowing it to flexibly attach itself with two feet while using its front legs to reach out for food.
In terms of hunting, the Margay has big round eyes that provide excellent night vision and glow brightly in the dark. These elusive creatures prefer to live in remote, less populated areas where they feed on various creatures such as rats, opossum, birds, insects, monkeys, and squirrels.
These stunning felines of the wild are recognized for their ability to survive up to 20 years while in captivity.