New cat species identified in Bolivia, first in over a century
New cat species identified in Bolivia, first in over a century
A diminutive wild cat known locally as Tilcayo has been identified as a new species in Bolivia’s cloud-covered Yungas forest. It measures about 46cm long and weighs just 1.4kg – smaller than the average domestic cat.
Scientists named the species Leopardus tilcayo, retaining its local name. It belongs to a group known as tiger cats, which are found across much of South America.
Little is known about the Tilcayo. Researchers have examined just two live individuals and a small number of camera-trap records. Rodent remains found in scat suggest part of its diet, while images indicate it may be more active at night.
One of the two live cats studied is a 10-year-old male now living at a wildlife sanctuary in Bolivia. Researchers began investigating after noticing that Bolivian tiger cats did not match descriptions largely based on cats from Brazil.
