The Kodkod: Smallest Wild Cat in the Americas
Ever heard of the kodkod? Well, some surprises are waiting for you with this little wild cat, also referred to as "guiña." They inhabit the temperate rainforests of south-central Chile and parts of Argentina, it is the smallest wild cat in the Americas.
The kodkods are small predators weighing between 2-3 kilograms, and their length from head-to-body is about 37-51 centimeters. With their height at the shoulder of about 25 centimeters, the coat color varies from brownish-yellow to gray-brown, with dark spots on it. Their tails occasionally have elegant-looking rings. Sometimes, you can encounter a rare genetic variation: melanistic kodkods, which have a totally black coat.
These cats are masters of concealment, essentially nocturnal hunters that move through dense vegetation easily. Kodkods are agile climbers with well-formed and sharp claws. They can climb trees without a hitch, hunt birds, or ambush prey from above. Their diet is diverse, containing small animals:
• Rodents: Degus, mice, and other small rodents form a big part of their diet.
• Birds: Thrushes, sparrows, and generally small to medium-sized bird species are targeted by Kodkods; they raid the nests by climbing.
• Insects: Large-sized insects like beetles and grasshoppers are also ingested as a snack that brings them protein.
• Reptiles: To add some variety to the diets, they also hunt small reptiles that include lizards and snakes on rare occasions.
• Amphibians: Frogs and other amphibians are eaten whenever they are available.
Kodkods live in dense forests—the Valdivian and Araucaria. Their distribution extends from central Chile to southwestern Argentina, including Chiloé Island. These are solitary animals that have large territories, which they scent-mark.
Conservation Status
Even with the great dangers brought about by habitat loss due to deforestation, the kodkod has somehow adapted to man. Human activities like logging and agriculture encroaching into their forested home push them closer to danger. Listed as "Vulnerable" in the IUCN Red List, the kodkods benefit from the great initiatives of conservation organizations that save their habitats and bring awareness to their plights.
Though rarely seen, kodkods are an integral part of the balance in the forests of South America. They are light and agile hunters, ensuring the health of the ecosystem by controlling the populations of their prey. There may be fewer than 10,000 mature kodkods left.