Pampas cats range from pale grey with faint markings to richly rufous with bold flank bars, depending on where they live. Several research groups have proposed splitting the species, and the number of recognised forms has changed repeatedly.
Ecologically it is a generalist of open country, hunting rodents in tussock grassland, dry scrub and high-altitude puna, from sea level to over 16,000 feet.
Size and measurements
| Head-body length | 17 in – 2 ft 7 in (42–79 cm) |
|---|---|
| Tail length | 9 in – 13 in (22–33 cm) |
| Shoulder height | 12 in – 14 in (30–35 cm) |
| Body weight | 4.4–8.8 lb (2–4 kg) — High-altitude animals tend to be larger and longer-coated. |
| Top recorded speed | Not reliably measured — Not measured in the field. |
| Lifespan in the wild | 9–12 years |
| Lifespan under human care | 12–16 years |
Habitat and range
Open habitats with cover at ground level: pampas grassland, Andean puna, Patagonian steppe, Chaco scrub and dry woodland.
From Ecuador and Colombia south through Peru, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, Chile and Argentina to Patagonia.
Diet and hunting
Small rodents, ground-nesting birds and their eggs, lizards and occasional invertebrates.
Hunting strategy — Ground search in tussock cover. Works methodically through grass and scrub, flushing and pouncing on rodents.
Behaviour and activity
Solitary. Poorly known; observations are scattered and there are very few radio-tracking studies.
Nocturnal and crepuscular. Mostly active at night, with daytime records from high-altitude and cold environments.
Climbing and swimming
Climbing — Capable. Climbs when trees are available but is essentially terrestrial.
Swimming — Very limited. No significant association with water.
Conservation status
The Pampas Cat is currently listed as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List, with a population trend recorded as decreasing in the assessment published in 2020.
Conversion of native grassland to crops and pasture is the main pressure, alongside heavy fragmentation in the pampas and Chaco.
Documented threats
- Grassland conversion to agriculture
- Persecution near poultry
- Dogs in rural landscapes
- Road mortality
- Unresolved taxonomy hampering targeted action
Look up the current Red List assessment for Leopardus colocola
Notable traits
- The coat can differ so much between populations that specimens were once split into several species.
- It occupies one of the widest altitude ranges of any American cat, from sea level to Andean puna.
- Field records remain so sparse that basic life-history data are still missing for many regions.
Sources for this profile
- IUCN Red List of Threatened Species Global assessment categories, population trends and documented threats.
- IUCN SSC Cat Specialist Group Species accounts, distribution notes and Cat News reporting for every wild felid.
- Small Wild Cat Conservation Foundation Dedicated research and field reporting on the lesser-known felids.
- Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology Reviewed species accounts with morphometric ranges and reproductive data.
- National Geographic — Animals General natural-history reference for behaviour, range and ecology.