Awesome Animal Fact - Tree-climbing Margay

Continuing with the theme of RIDICULOUSLY CUTE WILD CATS.

Did you know there is a small wild cat called the margay that is so good at climbing trees that it can run down a tree trunk headfirst? Weighing less than 9 pounds (4 kg), margays have an extra-long tail, which helps them keep their balance while maneuvering through the trees. Also, their ankles can rotate 180 degrees (like a squirrel!).

Margays live in Central and South America and are related to the larger ocelot. Normally hunting in trees, they are ambush hunters, waiting patiently for the perfect time to pounce on a monkey, bird, lizard, tree frog, or large insect or spider. They also raid bird nests and eat the eggs.

Amazingly, margays have been observed mimicking the sounds of small monkeys as a hunting strategy. The monkeys, attracted by the mimicked sounds, come close enough for the margay to pounce.

Male Margays perform an elaborate "dance" sequence to woo their mates. When in estrus, the females attract males with a long, moaning call. When the males approach, they yelp and trill, and rapidly shake their head back and forth, a mating ritual not seen in any other types of cats.

Photo Credits:
- Margay - DepositPhotos