National Geographic Kids USA - September 2017

(Marvins-Underground-K-12) #1

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
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