6 interesting facts about Andean mountain cats: they can’t be kept in captivity, they die instantly

The Andean mountain cat is native to the Andes and is listed as endangered on the Red List. The number of individuals is estimated to be less than 1500 in the wild. It is considered a sacred animal by the indigenous Ajmara and Kechua Indians. We should have followed their example!

From Andean mountain cat has many surprises in store for wildcat enthusiasts, even though it is one of the least studied and best known of all wildcat species. (The opening picture is an illustration, not of an Andean mountain cat, but of a presumably feral domestic cat.)

1. The fact that rare and mysterious terms are not pronounced enough

The species was first described in 1865.
Much of the information we have on the Andean mountain cat is still based on 3 skull specimens, 14 skin specimens and 2 photographs found in the wild.
Nowadays, researchers often rely on local observations, but this can be problematic in some cases.
Why is explained in the next section.

2. It’s getting there

This greyish, shaggy cat is being hunted for his fur, but is threatened to his habitat loss and degradation of its habitat, various diseases and loss of its main food source.
If that wasn’t enough, it is also difficult to monitor.
It is very similar to the pampas cat, making it difficult to identify and estimate population size correctly.
Perhaps the most easily recognised difference is that the Andean mountain cat’s nose is always very dark or black, whereas the pampas cat’s is pink or very light. In 2021, after many years, the Andean mountain cat was captured in the wild during the day:

3. Likes heights

Given its habitat, you may have guessed that it lives at higher altitudes, but it was a surprise to us that it can be found in the southern Andes at altitudes of up to 4,000 metres.
This terrain is not for everyone, that’s for sure.
It is rocky, steep, with sparse vegetation and rough ground.
Its favourite food (it makes up nearly 94% of its diet), the southern cat rabbit (a type of chinchilla), also survives in such harsh conditions in small colonies.
The pampas cat also depends largely on this rodent for its survival, but at a slightly lower percentage.
Interestingly, the cougar, pampas cat and the Andean mountain cat are crossing each other’s territories, so the animals themselves often, shall we say, meet.

4. The position of the moon affects your appearance

According to one study Andean mountain cats were most often seen active on nights when the moon was not visible in the sky.
The second most active periods were full moon evenings.
They seem to operate on an all-or-nothing principle.
Its movements are observed to be very dexterous, moving even at night over this extremely difficult terrain as if there were no difficulty at all. When it hunts, its long tail (70% of its body length) sticks upwards. This technique is thought to be very helpful in keeping your balance and changing position quickly.

5. It relies mostly on its hearing

According to the information available so far, it seems to rely primarily on hearing rather than smell or sight when hunting.
Its eardrums are much more developed than average.

6. Free spirit

Based on the experience gained so far it is impossible to keep them in captivity.
Unfortunately, no matter how many times this has been tried, the individuals have died almost immediately.
When researchers have the opportunity to observe these cats in the wild, they do not seem to fear humans at all.