LA SELVA-BRAULIO CARRILLO MAMMALS 



143 



Felis wiedii 

 Margay, Caucel 



Margays originally were found from the southwestern United States through 

 Central and South America to northern Argentina (Fig. 111). The subspecies Felis 

 wiedii nicaraguae formally occurred throughout Costa Rica from sea level to the 

 higher elevations (Koford 1983b). Margays are included on both the Costa Rican 

 and U.S. listings of endangered species. 



Margays are arboreal predators. In Belize, M.J. Konecny (in litt.) found that 

 the diet of this diminutive cat was primarily smaller arboreal rodents. 



Margays have been seen at La Selva on only three occasions, in February 1982, 

 in June 1986, and in March 1988. 



Felis yagouaroundi 

 Jaguarundi, Leon Brenero or Gatillo de Monte 



Jaguarundis originally ranged from the southwestern United States through 

 Central America to northern Argentina. The subspecies Felis yagouaroundi pana- 

 mensis is distributed throughout Costa Rica in suitable habitat along both coasts 

 to 2,000 m in elevation. Jaguarundis are one of the smallest and most variably 

 colored felids in this region, with color phases ranging from grays and deep reddish- 

 browns to blacks. Jaguarundis are included on both the Costa Rican and U.S. Ustings 

 of endangered species. 



Jaguarundis are perhaps the most diurnal of the Neotropical cats, and they 

 are also the most adaptable, occurring in primary and secondary forests as well 

 as in pastures. Small mammals, especially Sigmodon spp. and birds, made up most 

 of the prey items of jaguarundis in Belize (Konecny, in litt.). 



Jaguarundis have been observed at La Selva on 25 occasions with records from 

 most months. An adult with four kittens was seen in July 1985. An adult was ob- 

 served stalking a spiny rat on the Sura bridge in February 1983. 



Fig. 111. Margay, Felis wiedii. Photo by R. K. LaVal 



