Feline, Salta, argentina (1 Viewer)

[oleic]

Hi

It was at PNN los cardones (3300 msl)
Need help with ID.
Thanks

 

[Stranger]

Looks very much like a Puma

 

[Mike Richardson]

Not too sure. Any idea of the size? I was thinking of something like Pampas Cat (not sure what other cats live in the area).

 

[oleic]

Not too sure. Any idea of the size? I was thinking of something like Pampas Cat (not sure what other cats live in the area).

It was quite far, but for sure more than double size of house cat.

 

[rockfowl]

Looks like a Pampas type cat to me, hint of the foreleg stripes in the 3/4 pics despite unusually white hind legs. The lack of heavily striped tail should rule out the near mythical Andean Cat, and although it suggests a Colocolo, this would be the wrong side of the Andes so it must be a Pampas Cat Leopardus pajeros crespoi
Certainly not a Puma.

 

[njlarsen]

Ocelot looks like a good bet, because the spots on the side form stripes (seen in pic 1) and the tail does not seem longer than the hindleg. However, what was the habitat around where you were?

Niels

Edit -- I may not have a book covering the right area -- sorry if that is the case

 

[COLOMBIA Birding]

not a puma

 

[JCL]

I think this IS Andean cat. Contra Rockfowl, I DO see a barred tail, most evident in the final photo. I see contrastingly pale feet, which is also good for Andean cat. And in the second picture, I see the dark marks on the flanks (which in themelves would rule out Pampas cat, no?) formed by bands rather than spots (though no spotted cat is within range, perhaps with the exception of Geoffroy's). The altitude is fine (3000m plus). The habitat ditto (Cardones is as arid as you can get). I think you have scored, heavily! Ooooooof.

 

[rockfowl]

Interesting James. I wrote my answer late, so didn't explain too well. I also see a barred tail, but would have expected much darker, thicker bands for an Andean, which appears to be a more regular feature?
The dark flank marks I'm not sure about, here is a rather well marked Pampas, presumably ssp crespoi that exhibits similar features to the ops animal, tail appears perhaps a tad shorter than Andean - http://www.esapubs.org/archive/ecol/E091/239/appendix-A.htm perhaps here also - http://blog.explora.com/2011/07/pampas-cat/

Here rather pale Andean's but with strongly marked, quite long tails(scroll down) - http://digitaljournal.com/article/292997, here a paler one - http://felids.files.wordpress.com/2012/10/4-foto-articulo-chile-l-small.jpg

I'd love it if it were the latter, but I can't see it at the moment, perhaps those contrastingly pale feet hold the key?

 

[Roy'N]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pampas_cat#Description

type 1-2?

 

[oleic]

Hi all

With the new species arrangement I feel more confortable.
I was not really convinced with Leopardus Pajeros.
I think the pictures go more with Leopardus Gerleppi as per the illustrated checklist of the Mammals of the world by Lynx.
And comments?
Thanks