kids encyclopedia robot

Pantanal cat facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Quick facts for kids
Pantanal cat
PSM V51 D522 Felis bracatta from southern brazil.png
A pantanal cat in Brazil.
Conservation status
DD (São Paolo Red List)
Scientific classification edit
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Carnivora
Suborder: Feliformia
Family: Felidae
Subfamily: Felinae
Genus: Leopardus
Species:
L. braccatus
Binomial name
Leopardus braccatus
(Cope, 1889)
PantanalCatDistributionMap.svg
Where the pantanal cat lives.
Script error: The function "autoWithCaption" does not exist.
Synonyms
  • Lynchailurus braccatus

Script error: No such module "Check for conflicting parameters".

The Pantanal cat (scientific name: Leopardus braccatus) is a small, wild cat. It lives in different parts of South America. Scientists think it is very closely related to the pampas cat. Some even believe they might be the same species!

This cat has black legs and very thick, long fur. It has two main types, called subspecies. These are Leopardus braccatus braccatus and Leopardus braccatus munoai.

Where the Pantanal Cat Lives

The Pantanal cat makes its home in grassy areas. You can find it in many countries across South America. These include:

It prefers open spaces like grasslands and savannas. This helps it hunt for its food.

What the Pantanal Cat Looks Like

The Pantanal cat is a small to medium-sized wild cat. It has a sturdy body and a bushy tail. Its fur is usually yellowish-brown to reddish-brown. It often has faint spots or stripes on its body. The fur on its legs is darker, often black. This helps it blend into its environment.

What the Pantanal Cat Eats

Pantanal cats are carnivores, which means they eat meat. They are skilled hunters. Their diet mainly includes:

They hunt mostly at night or during the early morning. This is when their prey is most active.

Conservation Status

The Pantanal cat's conservation status is listed as "Data Deficient" (DD). This means scientists do not have enough information to know how many there are. More research is needed to understand their population. Protecting their natural homes is important for their survival.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Gato del Pantanal para niños

Black History Month on Kiddle
Famous African-American Scientists:
Ernest Everett Just
Mary Jackson
Emmett Chappelle
Marie Maynard Daly
kids search engine
Pantanal cat Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.