Rare southern tiger cat spotted in Atlantic forest in South Brazil
A rare black wild feline was recorded in a protected area in the Atlantic forest, the Salto Morato nature reserve, in the southern state of Paraná. Video captured the image of a mother, with entirely black fur, and her cub, with the more common color of their species—the southern tiger cat, or Leopardus guttulus.
Most striking about the record is the coloring of the female’s fur. Even though melanism—a genetic condition in which individuals produce an excessive amount of melanin, resulting in a dark skin color—is relatively common in nature, the phenomenon is rarely observed in the species.
The register was made last year with camera traps—devices with built-in digital cameras that are triggered by temperature and movement sensors, with no contact with the animal. As the cameras are installed in densely wooded areas, going over the footage takes time, which is why it was not released until this week.
Risk of extinction
The southern tiger cat is one of the smallest wild cats in the Americas and the smallest felid (carnivorous mammal) in Brazil. It can be found on the endangered species lists of the Ministry of the Environment and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), where it is ranked as vulnerable.
Similar in appearance to domestic cats, it weighs between 1.8 and 3.5kg and its body measures 36 to 54cm, with a tail ranging between 22 and 35cm. The color of its fur varies from light yellow to brown, with dark spots, and the species feeds mainly on small mammals, like rodents, as well as birds, lizards, reptiles, amphibians, and insects.
Found mainly in the Atlantic forest and the cerrado biomes, the still little-studied species shows an estimated population density of one to five individuals every hundred square kilometers. It can also be seen in Paraguay and in northeastern Argentina.
Protection
Roberto Fusco, coordinator of the Large Mammals of the Serra do Mar program, says that, “in order to protect the species, we need solid efforts to create more conservation units—especially inland and in fragmented landscapes. The recovery and maintenance of permanent preservation areas and reserves are also key, besides preventing the animals from being run over on the roads.”
Another game changer, he adds, would be to work on the coexistence between fauna and rural residents, “managing the domestic animals that are preyed upon by these cats, and preventing the landowners from taking inappropriate action by themselves. Also important is keeping these domestic animals, especially dogs and cats, from entering these patches of forest that still exist.”
