Pampaska: description of the animal. Interesting information

Lovers of animals will not remain indifferent at the sight of a Pampas cat. Although outwardly it resembles home purrs, there are still noticeable differences between them. So, the Pampas cat (photos shown on this page) is distinguished by an unusual, expressive muzzle.

Description of the animal

A herbaceous cat is another name for this animal - its size is the same as its domestic counterpart. The height at the withers is about 30 cm. The body itself is knocked down, about 75 cm long. Since its fur is too thick, the paws appear slightly shortened. The cat's head is large, with sharp ears. The transition from the forehead to the nose is slightly oblate. The spout itself is large. It is brown, often with a thin black border, like the eyes. A fluffy, thick tail is the same length as a normal cat (25 cm). An animal weighs from 3 to 7 kg.

Pampas cat has a brown color, but the shade depends on its habitat. It can be light wool in a sand scale or any other up to a dark brown, almost black color. There is also a pattern, which is very pronounced or almost invisible. On the ridge, the shade is darker than the main color, and the tail is often decorated with dark stripes.

Behavior and lifestyle

Pampas cat is a nocturnal animal that can see and orient itself in the dark. But sometimes animals go out for a walk or hunt during the day. These animals lead a solitary life. Each cat has its own territory, which it controls. Usually the boundaries of the possessions extend to 30, and sometimes 50 km. From dangers, these cats, like the domestic ones, flee. And at the first opportunity they climb a tree. If there is nowhere to run or the animal meets the rival, it raises the wool on end to visually increase in size and scare off the enemy. In relation to humans, these cats are more aggressive, therefore, they do not tame themselves. In conditions of bondage, they can live up to 12 years.

Food

Pampas cat is hunting on the ground, so in its diet, mostly there are rodents. Also fluffy animals can ruin nests of birds that settle in bushes. Often in the hands of birds and birds. Sometimes the menu is diluted by insects and lizards. In rare cases, a herbal cat can attack poultry.

Reproduction

Sexual maturation in these animals occurs at the age of 6 to 21 months. Also presumably, Pampas cats reproduce, like ordinary domestic cats. The festivities begin from April to July. Sometimes they start hunt for a partner a little earlier. After mating, the female breeds up to 85 days. The outlets are small: only two or three kittens.

Areal

Pampas cat lives in South America. It can be found in Chile, Brazil, Uruguay, Argentina. It settles in the foothills of the Andes, where it can climb to the summit, whose height reaches 5 thousand meters above sea level. In these places they prefer to settle in grassy areas. These are the steppes and pampas (fertile plains with a flat relief). It is because of the habitat that the cats got their name. Animals do not like mangrove swamps, wet forests, thickets of dried thorn bushes, although occasionally there are.

Pampaska cat: interesting facts and information

In the CIS countries, a herbaceous cat has only been recognized today, since it was isolated in a separate species not so long ago. From other brethren it is distinguished by the structure of the skull and features of the wool. But, despite this, some zoologists refuse to recognize the Pampas cat as a separate species. Despite the fact that at home this animal is known for a long time, there are no published detailed studies and observations about it. So, till now there are no details connected with the reproduction of these furry animals. The enemy of the Pampas cat is large predatory birds and animals, as well as a man who hunts them for their skins.