The Andean Cat Is One Of The Rarest And Least-Known Cats In The World

The Andean cat is one of the rarest and least-known cats in the world. It lives high in the Andes Mountains and Patagonian steppe, where food is scarce and weather conditions are extreme. This small, sturdy cat is difficult to find—there have been only ten recorded sightings in 25 years—and even harder to study.

The Andean cat feeds on small mammals, small birds, waterfowl or lizards. Its primary prey is the mountain vizcacha. A recent study in NW Argentina found that small mammals were the most frequent prey items (93% of the samples). Previously mountain chinchillas were the most important prey but those are now locally extinct and have been extirpated from most of their range due to over hunting for their fur. The ecology and behaviour of these cats is barely known. Most of the reported sightings of Andean cats have been during daytime. However, current studies through camera traps and observations of a radio-collared animal indicate the activity is mainly at night or dawn and dusk. The activity pattern of the Andean cat is likely related to feeding habits of its main prey species.