Big Cats of the Panama Jungle

Primarily due to geological history, Panama has one of the richest biodiversity. As you may know, Panama emerged as a bridge of land about 3 million years ago that connects the North and South America. In result to this, animals from the two continents are free to transport back and forth that creates an ideal array of wildlife. 

Panama is a home to species of big cats unique to Central America. Among these are puma, jaguar, jaguarundi, ocelot and margay.

OCELOT

This is a wild cat that weighs on the average 10 to 15 kilograms making it the largest in the genus Leopardus. It has a scientific name of Leopardus pardalis from the Latin word pardalis, meaning “leopard-like”. Ocelots are extremely territorial at the same time, nocturnal. They can fight to death once threatened and can be very aggressive. Ocelots eat a variety of preys like birds, amphibians, rodents, chickens and a lot more. Their strongest sense is their vision, they can see clearly even at night.

PUMA

The mountain lion (Puma concolor) is a big cat that is more closely related to domesticated cats than other big cats. It is considered as the only mammal that can be compared to humans because of its versatility in conquering America, evidence is the variety of name it established in different places throughout the continent. The pumas are secretive animals. They hunt their prey usually from the back. It kills them through a bite at the base of the skull.

JAGUAR

The jaguar is the world’s third largest cat and has the strongest bite among the big cats. They are solitary and territorial animals. Jaguars eat large animals and are mostly found on habitats with water bodies. Jaguars are very similar to leopards, but they are different in a way that jaguars have larger spots with thick outlines. They are excellent swimmers.

JAGUARUNDI

Jaguarundi is a small cat, which differs from domesticated cats of Latin America by its elongated head rather than rounded. They can either be black, red, or brownish gray. Jaguarundis are frequently observed travelling in pairs. They feed on small mammals.

MARGAY

These are small, spotted cats closely similar to ocelots. They have a special kind of feet that allows them to turn by 180 degrees- they are broad with flexible ankles and movable toes. They are carnivorous and feed on reptiles or birds. The margay spends its whole life mainly on trees.