Felines, with their grace, elusive behavior, and hunting skills, have captivated several biologists, artists, and poets for centuries. From the small domestic cat to the imposing big cats, these animals have become important actors in the history of the planet, as their appearance dates back over 50 million years, when their lineage separated from that of canids. However, today several species need protection from extinction, and this is where biological corridors come into play.
However, the emergence of the first true feline, the Pseudaelurus, occurred between 20 and 16 million years ago, with this species becoming a precursor to current species such as tigers, saber-toothed cats, and other felids.
In Latin America, emblematic species such as pampas cat, puma, ocelot, jaguar, and oncilla face an alarming loss of their habitat. Reduced to small fragments of what were once vast territories, these animals are fighting to survive. To ensure their future, it is crucial to establish biological corridors that connect ecosystems and allow their free movement.
In this sense, biological corridors not only connect fragmented habitats, but also promote coexistence between humans and wildlife. In fact, in a region rich in biodiversity like Latin America, these initiatives are of vital importance to preserve felines and ensure ecosystem balance. Time is critical, but the combination of science, conservation, and international collaboration offers tangible hope for these majestic predators.
Iconic Felines in Latin America in Need of Protection
The Puma in Paraguay: Conflict with Ranchers
The puma, known as the American lion, is a skilled predator with ochre fur that still has a wide distribution in Paraguay. However, roads, agricultural expansion, poaching, and conflicts due to livestock attacks threaten its existence. To reverse this situation, experts are working on the creation of two biological corridors that would connect large protected areas, allowing the species’ survival.
The Oncilla in the Colombian Massif: a Small Endangered Feline
The oncilla, also known as the clouded tiger, is the smallest of Latin American felids, weighing only 1.5 to 3.5 kilos. Its habitat in the Colombian Massif is crucial to connect populations that inhabit the three Andean mountain ranges. However, livestock farming, agricultural expansion, and the presence of uncontrolled domestic dogs are destroying their ecosystems.
The Ocelot in Southern Brazil: a Struggle for Survival
The ocelot, famous for its distinctive fur, has managed to recover in some regions after being severely exploited for the fur trade. However, in the Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul, its existence remains at risk. Non-governmental organizations are working to establish biological corridors to safeguard the remaining populations in this region.
The Jaguar in Mesoamerica: an Icon in Critical Danger
The jaguar, the largest feline in America, faces increasing threats: hunting, fires caused by illegal livestock, expansion of monocultures, and road construction. In the forests of Guatemala, Belize, and Honduras, a vital ecological corridor is being developed by scientists, local communities, organizations, and governments to ensure the survival of this emblematic species.
Curiosities about Felines
Felines are placental mammals with unique characteristics, such as:
- Hearing: Their hearing is at least five times better than that of a human.
- Vision: They can see in the dark, but they do not distinguish colors.
- Smell: They have a very sharp sense of smell, with around 200 million olfactory cells.
- Speed: They can run up to 49 km per hour over short distances.
- Jump: They can jump up to five times their height.
- Flexibility: They are very agile and can rotate their ears 180 degrees.
- Cleanliness: They groom themselves constantly, dedicating up to 4 hours a day to their body hygiene.
- Communication: Cats make around 100 different sounds, while dogs make around 10.
- Habitat: They are found in almost all the world, except in regions like Antarctica, oceanic islands, New Zealand, or Japan.
- Diet: Most felines exclusively consume meat.
Some other curiosities about cats are:
- A cat’s brain is biologically more similar to a human’s than to a dog’s.
- Female cats tend to be right-pawed, while male cats tend to be predominantly left-pawed.
- Cats do not taste sweetness.
- A cat’s urine glows in the dark when illuminated with a black light.
- Over time, cats become lactose intolerant.
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