The Tigrillo:

The tigrillo or tiger leopard (Leopardus tigrinus) is a species of carnivorous mammal of the Felidae family. It is a feline with nocturnal habits typical of the tropical forests of Central and South America between 600 and 4300 meters above sea level.

It reaches a head-body length of 39 to 78 cm, with a 20 to 42 cm long tail. The height is between 22 and 30 cm. Its weight varies between 2 and 3 kg.

Habitat: They are native animals of Central and South America in countries such as: Argentina, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, French Guiana, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname; Uruguay; Venezuela. In Ecuador it inhabits a wide range of habitats from the Coast, Amazon and foothills of the Andes mountain range. It lives in dry, humid, tropical and subtropical forests, preferably in areas with dense vegetation; apparently avoids disturbed forests and areas near human presence.

Diet: Carnivorous, especially small mammals, birds and reptiles; also eats insects and eventually fruits.

Gestation period: 76 to 84 days, from one to four pups, usually one or two.

Life expectancy: approximately 15 years.

Description and Behavior: Small in size, but larger than a domestic cat. The coat is soft and short; back brownish-yellow or greyish-brown with longitudinal rows of black spots and lines. It is nocturnal, arboreal, terrestrial and solitary; captures its prey on the ground. It is the most arboreal species within the Ecuadorian felids, in fact, it is the only feline in the neotropical region that has an ankle joint that allows it to rotate its feet enough to descend vertical trunks with its head down and the legs soles of the feet placed against the trunk.

Its spotted skin helps it to better camouflage, its ears are able to quickly locate the prey. They have a vision developed at night, they have retractable claws, that is, they remain in a cavity until they take them out when they need it, this allows them to always be sharp.

It is a terrestrial animal but very agile and a good climber, it takes refuge in small cracks, covered in vegetation or on logs on the ground.