Mountian miniature
The Andean cat is one of the most endangered wild cats in the world. It is small but sturdy, with a luxuriant fur to keep it warm in the cold weather on its mountain. Its ash-grey body, marked with spots, stripes and bares, and its long thick tail makes it look a bit like a miniature snow leopard.
Regarded as sacred in some Andean cultures, the Andean cat lives in rock and arid areas above 4000m in the high Andes. It is sparsely distributed across Argentina, Bolivia, Chile and Peru.
Mystery moggy
The Andean cat is one of the world's least known cats. It is sometimes seen by day, but it is probably more active by dusk and at night. It is thought to be mainly solitary, and to use its acute sense of hearing to help capture prey, such as rodents- notably the mountain viscacha- and small birds.
Treats
This cat naturally occurs at low densities. Indigenous Andean people have hunted it for a long time, using its pelt in traditional ceremonies. The decline of chinchilla population, once a major prey item, has probably also affected it severely.
