Mammals
Pampas Cat
Leopardus colocola
Wearing a coat pattern so variable across its range that different populations were once mistaken for separate species, a pampas cat ranges from high Andean grassland to lowland pampas and Patagonian scrub.
Overview
The pampas cat, Leopardus colocola, is a Near Threatened mammal native to grassland, desert, and mountain habitat across a vast range of South America. Its remarkably variable coat pattern, its exceptionally broad geographic and elevational range, and its rarity in direct observation make it one of the more enigmatic small wild cats found anywhere on the continent.
One species wearing many coats
So dramatic is the variation in the pampas cat’s coat pattern across different parts of its range that researchers once split the species into several separate ones, a reminder of how much diversity a single wide-ranging species can carry.
Status
Near Threatened, with populations remaining widespread but sparse, and numbers considered to be declining due to habitat loss and conversion of grassland to agriculture.
Pampas Cat: common questions
Why is the pampas cat's coat unusual?
This species shows an unusually variable coat pattern across its enormous range, differing so much from one region to another that populations were once considered separate species.
How large is the pampas cat's range?
This species is found across a vast range of South America, from high Andean grassland to lowland pampas and Patagonian scrub.
Is the pampas cat easy to observe in the wild?
No, this species is rarely observed in the wild, contributing to significant gaps in knowledge about its population size and behaviour across parts of its range.
What elevations does the pampas cat live at?
This species tolerates a wide range of elevations, found from lowland grassland up into high Andean terrain across its South American range.