Head to head
Andean Mountain Cat vs Kodkod
Andean Mountain Cat
VS Kodkod
Both are small South American wild cats facing serious conservation pressure, but they occupy almost opposite ends of the continent's elevation range.
| Andean Mountain Cat | Kodkod | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Leopardus jacobita | Leopardus guigna |
| Conservation status | Endangered | Vulnerable |
| Typical habitat | Bare rocky slopes above 4,000 metres | Dense temperate rainforest |
| Body size | Larger of the two, with a notably long ringed tail | Smallest wild cat in the Americas |
| Primary prey | Mountain vizcachas | Small birds, rodents, and lizards |
| Activity pattern | Active by day and night | Mostly nocturnal |
| Estimated population | Fewer than 1,500 mature individuals | Declining, exact numbers poorly known |
| Range | Peru, Bolivia, Chile, Argentina (high Andes) | Central and southern Chile, adjacent Argentina |
Andean Mountain Cat vs Kodkod: common questions
Which cat lives at a higher elevation?
The Andean mountain cat does, typically found above 4,000 metres in bare, rocky Andean terrain, while the kodkod stays mainly in lower-elevation temperate rainforest.
Which cat is smaller?
The kodkod is, recognized as the smallest wild cat species anywhere in the Americas, smaller than the already small Andean mountain cat.
Which cat is more threatened?
The Andean mountain cat carries the more severe listing, Endangered with fewer than 1,500 mature individuals estimated, compared to the kodkod's Vulnerable status.