Modest Margays

Margays are beautiful little cats native to southern Mexico, Central America and northern South America.  However, one unusual characteristic about the margay - it can spend almost its entire life in the trees.

Source:  Wikipedia

While it will go down to the ground when moving from one hunting area to another, once there it prefers to stay in the trees and has been seen chasing squirrels, monkeys and birds through the branches.  Also on its diet are lizards, tree frogs, rodents and eggs.  Naturally, it is a very agile climber and can come down a tree head first as it has specially adapted claws and feet - and ankles that rotate 180 degrees.  It can also hang from a branch by its hind feet.

Photo by John H. Gerard, National Audubon Society

Source:  Encyclopedia Britannica

Females are slightly smaller than males who can reach up to 30 inches long.  Margays are mostly nocturnal, although they can be seen hunting occasionally during the day.  Their main habitat is secluded areas of dense forest, as they can be rather shy.  Margays are solitary except during mating season.  Instead of having a litter, the female has just one single baby, or on rare occasions two.

Source:  Wikipedia

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