Andean Mountain Cat (Leopardus jacobita)
…is a species of wild cat found only in the Andean mountain range in South America. They are extremely rare and make their home in inhospitable areas, which makes studying them difficult. However they are known to live in high elevation areas where they prey on chinchillas and viscachas which they hunt among the rocks. Vischachas are also prey to the similar Pampas cat (L. pajeros) which is in direct competition with the Andean mountain cat. Since these two felines hunt at the same time and eat the same prey finding food becomes more difficult, and an race for food has begun. Because of this and other factors like habitat loss and hunting the Andean mountain cat has been listed as endangered with only 2,500 animals though to be exist.
Phylogeny
Animalia-Chordata-Mammalia-Carnivora-Felidae-Leopardus-jacobita
In this photograph taken by a WWF remote camera trap, a rare snow leopard is pictured in the Kangchenjunga conservation area, east of the Nepalese capital Kathmandu. An innovative insurance plan for yak and other livestock is deterring herders from killing snow leopards that attack their animals, conservationists say, giving hope for the species’ survival.
(via: Guardian UK) (Photo: Wwf Nepal/AFP/Getty Images)
A young bobcat (Lynx rufus) carries away a desert cottontail rabbit (Sylvilagus auduboni), Montana de Oro State Park, Los Osos, CA, USA.
(via: Sierra Club - My Piece of America; photo by Linda T.)
