Most cats are good-looking, temperamental, and fierce when hunting. The Andean Tiger Cat, the size of a domestic cat, has a silver-gray fur, shiny and covered with fine markings, as beautiful as a snow leopard.
The Andean Tiger Cat is known as one of the most beautiful cats, but it is rare in number in the wild, its whereabouts are hidden, and it is full of mystery!
<h1>01 Living on the high mountains, there are less than 2500 in the world, and they are on the verge of extinction</h1>
The Andean tiger cat, also known as the mountain cat and the South American bobcat, is a species of tiger cat in the family Catidae, and there is no subspecies, living in the Andes Mountains of South America.
The Andes are more than 8,900 kilometers long and run through the western part of the South American continent and are the longest mountain range in the world. The Andean Tiger Cat lives at altitudes above 4,000 meters, in arid, sparsely vegetated mountains with harsh climates that may have snow or sleet storms every season.
This beautiful cat lives in the remote mountains that are inaccessible, and the number is so small that it is difficult for people to observe it.
What is the population of the Andean tiger cat? As of 2013, the number of Andean tiger cats is less than 2,500, and it is listed as an endangered animal of the IUCN, the data shows.
Andean tiger cats cannot be kept in captivity, and if they become extinct in the wild, it represents the disappearance of this species.
Historically, the Andean Tiger Cat has been very limited in its knowledge of their habits. It was not until the 21st century, when researchers installed multiple infrared cameras in the distribution of Andean tiger cats and observed some of their behavior habits, that people had a preliminary understanding of this beautiful feline.
<h1>02 Looks like a snow leopard, with silver-gray fur all over the stripes, and balances the body by the tail</h1>
The Andean Tiger Cat is a small, medium-sized cat with a head length of 57–64 cm and a weight of about 4 kg, about the same size as a domestic cat. The body is uniform and the limbs are flexible.
On the whole, the Andean tiger cat looks like a snow leopard, although the size is not as large as the snow leopard, but the slender posture, as well as the beautiful markings, dexterous long tail, just like the snow leopard elegant and beautiful.
The undertone of its fur is silver gray, covered with exquisite brownish yellow markings, as if wearing a beautiful and luxurious "leopard print coat".
The Andean Tiger Cat has a long tail, about 35-48 cm or so, and also has exquisite markings. Usually running and jumping on steep mountains, the long tail plays a role in balancing the body, allowing it to move more flexibly and not be limited by steep terrain.
There are long, thick hairs on the upper side of the bottom of the tail, and when it sleeps, it will roll up the tail and wrap its body to keep warm. Not only does it look good, but it also has a special practical function.
<h1>03 Jump and hunt on steep cliffs, catch prey and grab it elsewhere to eat</h1>
The Andean tiger cat not only looks like a snow leopard, but even moves a bit like a snow leopard, often climbing and jumping between steep rock walls, with a very keen sense of sight, hearing and smell.
It inhabits caves, sometimes crouching on rocks to bask in the sun, sometimes hiding between rocks, waiting for prey to appear. Because the place of survival, food is not abundant, so in terms of eating, the Andean tiger cat does not pick, almost catch what to eat.
The Andean tiger cat prefers to eat rats, and when it finds a target, it will crouch on the slope of the mountain, and then jump out unexpectedly, pounce on the prey, and bite the throat of the prey, making it powerless to resist.
Its canine teeth and cracked teeth are very developed, and the prey is bitten and basically cannot break free. But if the Andean Tiger Cat misses a shot, it is difficult to have a second chance, so every attack is fast and accurate.
If there are no rodents such as rodents, lizards will also be attacked, and low-flying birds, or birds that temporarily rest on the rocks, will become the prey of the Andean tiger cat.
If none of this food could be caught, the Andean tiger cat would even pick up carrion and catch some small insects to fill its belly.
Some photographers have photographed the Andean tiger cat catching a fat rat, not in a hurry to enjoy it, but carrying the prey to a higher place, followed by another companion. It should be to grab the prey to a safe place and share it with your companions.
<h1>04Why is it endangered? Habitat degradation, man-made hunting</h1>
You may ask, why is such a beautiful and mysterious cat on the verge of extinction?
First, habitat degradation is the biggest threat to the Andean tiger cat. In the Highlands of South America and the Patagonian steppes, mining, oil industry activities, the extraction of shale oil and natural gas, and unscientific livestock management are changing the habitat of the Andean tiger cat and threatening its survival.
Secondly, man-made hunting also had a huge impact on the reproduction of the Andean tiger cat population. In some parts of Chile and Bolivia, there are hunts and killings of Andean tiger cats for sacrifice.
In addition, the short-tailed woolly rat was originally the main food of the Andean bobcat, but it was artificially hunted and sold in its fur, and the species almost became extinct, which led to a shortage of food for the Andean tiger cat.
Finally, the breeding ability of the Andean tiger cat is already relatively weak, and it is more difficult for the population to reproduce with only 1-2 cubs per litter.
<h1>epilogue</h1>
Today, in order to protect the beautiful Andean tiger cat, Argentina, Bolivia, Chile and Peru have set up a number of protected areas and established the "Andean Tiger Cat Alliance". It is hoped that under the protection of humans, the Andean tiger cat can reproduce healthily and survive on earth.
Snow Spirit Valley Animal Lab/Production
References: Nature Journal, Zoology, National Geographic