FELIDAE

Gatos, yaguarundi, Geoffroy

Felidae

The first cats in the Felidae, Proailurus an Old World native weighing about 20 pounds, appeared during the Oligocene (35.5 to 23.5 million years ago) and by about 20 million years ago contemporary felids are believed to have stemmed from the Pseudaelurus lineage. Fossilized evidence indicates that true saber-toothed cats began to emerge during the Pliocene (5.2 million to 1.8 million years ago), where they flourished in the Pleistocene (2 million to 10,000 years ago). The last, and best known, saber-toothed cat was Smilodon fatalis. About the size of a large lion, Smilodon was an Ice Age cat of North and South America who's jaws could open to an angle of 120 degrees allowing the huge canines to be driven deep into the prey. Smilodon became extinct about 10,000 years ago, at the same time as other Ice Age mammals including mammoths, dire wolves, and many species of rhino and horse. The first humans to inhabit North America apparently hunted the same prey species as the saber-toothed cats and many have out-competed the these large carnivores helping to seal their fate.

Felis catus, the domestic cat, is a recent addition to the Felidae, evolving about 7,000 years ago probably as a relative of the African wild cat. Domestication coincided with the shift from nomadic life to permanent settlement around 5000 B.C. The resulting agriculture and subsequent storage of grain attracted rodents which in turn attracted cats. Cats are known to have been domesticated in Egypt by 2000 B.C., where they were associated with the Egyptian goddess Bastet. Cats were mummified as offerings, and buried in tombs by the millions, by the ancient Egyptians.

Compared with other carnivores, the felids have a relatively short muzzle and a broad, rounded head. The lion is an exception with a relatively longer face and smaller brain case, and the cheetah with a very high skull. With the exception of the lion, the fur is soft and often marked with spots or stripes. Cats are specialized hunters having extremely limber but compact bodies. The whiskers, which are actually specialized hairs, are well developed and the felids have acute sight, hearing and sense of smell. There is a wide variation in the size and apperance of the members of this family; the smallest wild cats similar in size to domestic cats, whereas the larger cat species, the tiger, has an overall length of up to 3.2 meters including the tail. Most cats are nocturnal and all, except the lion, hunt alone.

The aquisition of prey is a culmination of a series of stereotyped actions including stalking, chasing, and pouncing. The cat's ability to move with ease and to remain motionless for long periods of time, often up to 30 minutes until it can creep closer for the final dash, is a key to successful hunting. Generally it is only after the prey has been siezed with the forepaws that the cat actually bites the prey. The first bite is frequently at the base of the neck, on the shoulder, or positioned to gain control of the prey and better position the claws. The lethal bite is generally at the nape of the neck, where damage to the brain or spinal cord kills the victim quickly. On larger prey, the lethal bite often occurs in the throat area resulting in suffocation.

The big cats have 30 teeth, 15 on each side of the skull; three upper and three lower incisors, one upper and one lower canine, three upper and two lower premolars, one upper and one lower molar. The canine teeth in the felids are generally wedge-shaped and contain large numbers of pressure sensing nerve endings. These physical traits enable the felid to feel with its canines, for the junction or space between the adjacent vertebrae, enabling it to dispatch the prey quickly. None of the Felid teeth are flattened for grinding as typically found in humans and other species that eat an omnivorous diet.

Little is known about the cats' sense of smell or taste. They apparently rely little on olfaction to locate prey, as do other carnivores, but smell seems to be important when big cats communicate with other members of its own species. It is believed that receptor sites take on odors, with each discernable odor having a unique receptor. These sites then send chemical/electrical messages to the brain for processing, by way of the olfactory nerves. The olfactory system receives odorous information through the nostrils, but cats also have a vomeronasal olfactory system in which smells travel to the brain through two tiny openings in the roof of the mouth.

Cats have a highly developed sense of hearing which is important for survival and locating prey. Some species, such as the large-eared servil, rely on sound almost exclusively for locating and capturing prey. The cheetah, whose daytime hunting habits depend primairly on sight, rely little on sound in locating prey. The elongate oval shape of the external ears help intensify and funnel sound into the inner ears for processing. The inner ear also serves as a center for orientation and balance during jumps and leaps. Along with sensory information from the ears and eyes, a supurb involuntary reflex helps a falling cat to right itself. In an automatic twisting reaction, the head rotates, then the spine and hind quarters align. At the same time, the cat arches its back to reduce the force of the impact when all four feet touch the ground.

The structure of the felid eye shows various adaptations for increased visual acuity. The pupil and the lens, in the eye of an animal capable of seeing in very dim light, are much enlarged relative to the size of the retina, the layer of light sensitive cells at the back of the eye. The high proportion of extremely light sensative cells in the retina (rods), compared to the cells optimized for vision in high intensity lighting (cones), allows the felids to be well suited for low light conditions. The retina in nocturnal animals, including the cats, are rendered even more effective by the addition of a reflective layer behind the retina, the tapetum lucidum. Light that has passed through the retina without being absorbed, and therefore not sensed by the cells of the retina, is reflected by the tapetum, passes back through the retina, and thus has another chanse of being registered by a detector cell. The light that is not detected by the retina, during both passes through the eye, is reflected out of the eye through the pupil and creates the distinctive yellow-green eyeshine when observing cats at night. The eye structure of the felids greatly improves the light gathering ability of the eyes and results in night vision about six times better than that of humans.

Unlike most carnivores, felids have retractable claws which are extended to help grasp and slash prey, and when not in use are retracted into protective sheaths. This permits only the soft pads of the foot to touch the ground surface, resulting in the silent stalking characteristically attributed to cats. The extension of the razor-sharp claws during the chase; providing exceptional traction; and the attack, securing and controlling the prey, have evolved to provide the felid with an effective mechanism for acquiring prey. The field mechanism for claw retraction is an intricate one that combines a special shaping of the ends of the digits, ligaments that pull the claws back when not in use, a balance between the tendons that flex and those that extend the digits, and a fleshy sheath that surrounds and hides the retracted claw. Interestingly, this unique mechanical system of digits, ligaments and tendons allows the felids to curl their toes without extending their claws. The exception is the cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus); its blunt, non-retractable claws give it a good grip on the ground as it sprints at up to 60 miles per hour.

The tongue of the cat is peculiar among the carnivores. Although it is primairly a body cleaning tool, it is also an important part of the feeding apparatus. The upper surface of the tongue is covered with short pointed projections called papillae, giving it the apperance of a wood rasp. Although small and somewhat insignificant in the house cats, the papillae of large cats are fromidable instruments. Scraps of meat and other food items are easily separated from the surface of bone by passing the tongue over the area to be cleaned. Hand feeding captive cubs is often aided by the insertion of a finger into the mouth, initiating the succling instinct, and quickly replacing it with the nipple of the bottle. This sucking on fingers and thumbs is apparently enjoyable for the felids, as it is for the humans, and the process is often observed with adult cats and their handlers. Thumb sucking by adult felids often results in bleeding thumbs and fingers, actually scraped raw by the rasping action of the papillae on the skin.

A fundamental difference between the big cats of the genus Panthera and the small cats of the genus Felis, is that the big cats roar but cannot purr, whereas the small cats can purr continously but cannot roar. The roar is a distinct vocalization, very loud and resonant, which is produced by the pantherines; the lion, tiger, jaguar and leopard. The ability of these cats to roar is reflected in the structure of the bones supporting the larynx. This series of bones called the hyoid, was once part of the set of gill arch supports in the fishlike animal that was the distant ancestor of animals. The hyoid structure, greatly modified through evolution, functions today in mammals as a bony sling and site of muscle attachment for the trachea (windpipe) and larynx (voice box) and provides support for the tongue and its musculature. Purring, as observed in domestic cats, appears to be limited to pumas and cheetahs among the big cats.

Most big cats prefer to hunt at night or at dawn and dusk, but their daily activities vary, depending on season, the weather, and the periods when prey are usually active. Between hunting trips and bouts of feeding, big cats rest and sleep. When large prey is plentiful, and kills are easy to make, big cats spend much of the day resting after gorging on a large meal. When cats must survive on smaller prey that are dispersed over a large ares, they spend far more time traveling and hunting.

Adapted from: http://www.primenet.com/~brendel/felidae.html

Felids are perhaps the most specialized hunters of the carnivores, relying almost exclusively on prey that they have killed themselves. Their distribution includes every continent except for Australia and Antarctica, with the exception of the domestic cat which has now been transported to just about everywhere humans have gone. Cats are also not native to the island of Madagascar. Felids use a diversity of habitats, from desert to forest to mountain.Physical features characterizing felids are a short rostrum, a vestigial or absent baculum, and retractable claws. Distal segments of digits in the relaxed position are pulled back and up into a sheath by an elastic segment, which prevents claws from getting blunt. The cheetah is an exception; it cannot retract its claws, and when attacking it tends to bowl over prey much like many canids. Cats have five toes on their forefeet and four on their hindfeet. They are digitigrade, and their metapodials are moderately long but never fused. Besides having a short rostrum, the skulls of cats have bullae that are large and divided by a septum; no alisphenoid canal, and paroccipital processes flattened against the bullae. Dentition is reduced in felids; shortening the jaw results in increased force at the bite point. The dental formula is 3/3, 1/1, 2-3/2, 1/1 = 28-30. The incisors are small and chisel-like. The canines vary from medium-sized to enormous in the extinct sabertooth cats. The upper canine is larger than the lower. The first premolar is absent; the second, when present, is atrophied. The molar is small and simple in structure. Carnassials are very well developed and cheek teeth are exclusively of the shearing type; cats do not crush or grind their food.

The hunting method of felids consists of a preliminary stalk followed by a final quick rush. Cats aim for the neck and usually sever the cervical vertebrae with their sharp, pointed canines. They rely on their sense of sight; their eyes are relatively large compared to other carnivores. They also have well-developed senses of smell and hearing, and at close range, their long whiskers provide an acute sense of touch.

Felids are usually solitary. An exception is the African lion, which forms prides centered around maternal descent. Males fight with each other for acceptance into these prides. The size of a lion pride is determined by resource availability. Lion females hunt cooperatively for the whole pride. Males are the main defenders of territories, keeping out foreign males and females. Males are driven from their natal prides at around three years of age and often spend time as nomads before they are able to defend their own pride.

The fossil record of the Felidae extends to the Late Eocene. No description of fossil felids is complete without some mention of the sabretooth cats. In these forms (and there were a number of species in at least two lineages of feloids involved), the upper canines elongate tremendously to form stabbing, sabre-like weapons. These teeth curve backward, flatten to become triangular in cross section, and sometimes develope a serrated edge. It seems clear that they are adaptations for stabbing prey, but exactly how they were used remains a mystery.

http://www.oit.itd.umich.edu/bio/Chordata/Mammalia/Carnivora/Felidae.html

Jaguarundi

Herpailurus jaguarundi

The short haired , smooth textured and unspotted coat of the Jaguarundi varies in two main color phases; blackish to uniform grey or burnt-red to a bold chestnut, with the undersides lighter. The small head with round shortened flat ears and brown eyes, contracting to a slit, combined with a long sleek body and short legs give this cat a general appearance similar to that of members of the weasel family. After a gestation period of between 63 to 70 days, a litter of 2 to 4 dark spotted kittens is born in a secluded hiding place. The kittens grow quickly, and by the age of three months, all of the spots have disappeared and they beginning to strike out on their own.

Mass: 4.5 to 9 kg. Jaguarundi have short legs and a long body, with an especially long tail. They stand 30cm tall at the shoulder, with a body length of 60-70cm and a tail length of 30-60cm. They are seen in one of two color morphologies. The first morph is the grey-form. This form is all grey, except for two white spots, beside the nose on the upper lip, and possibly some white on the belly. The other morph is a reddish-brown morph. This morph is all red, except for a white throat and lips; it does have red whiskers. This second morph is known as an eyra in some cultures. Jaguarundi hunt many different animals, including frogs, rabbits, small deer, insects, reptiles, and fish, but birds are its prey of choice. It is willing to enter water to catch fish. Jaguarundi reproduce year-round. Litters are from 1-4 kittens, but are typically 2-3. Females have been observed to have up to 2 litters per year, with gestation periods of about 63 days. Jaguarundi are solitary creatures, except when mating or raising young. A pair will come together to mate, then the male will leave the female to raise the young. When raising young, the female will wean the kittens for about a month. She will then teach them how to hunt. Once they have learned how to hunt, they will leave their mother, an event which typically occurs around the age of 10 months.

When startled or frightened, a jaguarundi snarls and hisses. If further provoked, and they unable to run, a grey-form jaguarundi will appear to become lighter in appearance. This is due to the hairs getting lighter as they get closer to the body. When the hair is bristling, the lighter ends of the hair, which are normally covered, become visible. So, as all of the hair becomes visible, the jaguarundi appears to become a lighter shade.The only other vocalization that they make is a chirping noise when they are young.

They are usually nocturnal, but can also be diurnal. They are preyed upon by larger cats. They have also been known to cross rivers and lakes, and they have no aversion to water. Jaguarundi usually live near water. They will sleep in natural dens, such as under a bank, in tall grasses, or in a cave. Jaguarundi will not, however, dig their own den.   Although Jaguarundi are not listed as endangered or threatened, they are still occassionally hunted in South America by farmers, even though they are an important means of pest control.

Colby, C.B. (1984). Cats of the World, Riverside Press, Cambridge.

Denis, Armand. (1994). Wild Cats, Van Rees Press, New York.

Pampas cat

Oncifelis colocolo

Little is known about the secretive life of the Pampas cat, although it is thought to be mostly nocturnal, hunting small to medium-sized mammals, birds, insects and reptiles.

Geoffroy's cat

Oncifelis geoffreyi

The Geoffroy's cat is the most frequently hunted cat in South America, with over 500,000 pelts legally traded worldwide in the early 1980's. It was named after the French naturalist Geoffroy St. Hilaire. Little has been recorded about the reproductive habits of this felid but, after a gestation period of about 67 days, a litter of 2 to 3 kittens is born in a secluded hiding place in the dense underbrush. Geographic Range: Neotropical: Bolivia to Patagonia.  Mass: 2 to 6 kg. About the size of a large house cat. Coat with numerous small, solidly colored brownish or blackish spots. Primarily nocturnal hunters, these cats feed on small rodents and birds. Reproduction: Usually 1 litter a year. Gestation period about 75 days with a litter size of 1-3 kittens, about 65g, which open their eyes at about 12 days. Favors subtropical and temperate regions. From sea level to about 3,300 m. Found in all habitats from open woodlands, to brushy areas, to open savannas, and even marshes. Biomes: temperate forest & rainforest, temperate grassland, tropical deciduous forest, tropical scrub forest, tropical savanna & grasslands, mountains.

References

Savage, R. J. G. and M. R. Long. 1986. Mammal Evolution, an Illustrated Guide. Facts of File Publications, New York. 259 pp.

Stains, H. J. 1984. Carnivores. Pp. 491-521 in Anderson, S. and J. K. Jones, Jr. (eds). Orders and Families of Recent Mammals of the World. John Wiley and Sons, N.Y. xii+686 pp.

Vaughan, T. A. 1986. Mammalogy. Third Edition. Saunders College Publishing, Fort Worth. vii+576 pp.

Wilson, D. E., and D. M. Reeder. 1993. Mammal Species of the World, A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference. 2nd edition. Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington. xviii+1206 pp.

Part of  the above information was adapted from: The animal diversity web: http://www.oit.itd.umich.edu/bio108/ and http://www.primenet.com/~brendel/felidae.html.

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