National Geographic Kids USA - September 2017

Jaguarundimomsteachthe

impressivehuntingskil

A

10-pound female jaguarundi pads across the rain forest floo

The babies romp and wrestle. They haven’t yet eaten today,

for food. Detecting a rustling from a hole in the ground, she sticks

her paw inside and pulls out a tasty rat. Her babies scamper

to her side. It’s time for a family dinner.

The jaguarundi is a small species of wild cat,

whose range includes the Amazon rain forest.

“It isn’t a top predator,” biologist Anthony

Giordano says. “In fact it’s pretty low on

the predator totem pole.” Because of

competition from stronger preda-

tors such as cougars, jaguarundis

must learn as youngsters to be

crafty hunters. Luckily their

moms act as cat coaches,

teaching the babies key

hunting skills.

A YOUNG
JAGUARUNDI
PROWLS
THROUGH
A JUNGLE.

30

ns

ls.

or with her two kittens inntow.

so as theyplay the momlooks

oleinthegroundshestiicks

BY ALICIA KLEPEIS

J

e

Special

Issue

Central and South

America

PACIFIC

OCEAN

ATLANTIC

OCEAN

SOUTH

AMERICA

NORTH

AMERICA

Where

jaguarundis

live