Habitat

Where In The World Is....

The margay, as a species, inhabits a large area of land stretching from parts of Argentina to Mexico. Their most typical and preferred habitat includes evergreen and deciduous forests but have also been found, on rare occasion, living in coffee or cocoa plantations when large trees are present. Accompanying the margay in the densely forested habitat is the ocelot. Fortunately the
ocelot and margay fill different niches, the margay primarily in the canopy and the ocelot in lower levels of the forest, and are able to live in close association without conflict. There is a big factor that differentiates the margay and the ocelot, however, and that's the ability to withstand human interaction. For unknown reasons the margay is much less tolerant of being in close association with humans and is   Margay Habitat Range
  Margay Habitat. Photo obtained from wikipedia.com

therefore much less likely to be seen and/or survive where development is taking place. This is posing a large problem with the continued destruction of the tropical rainforest to promote human expansion in Central and South America.

 

Where Are You Going?

As stated before, margays have been placed on Appendix I of the endangered species list by the Convention of International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). Species in Appendix I are most endangered and are threatened with extinction. Accompany deforestation as a primary reason for death and population decline is hunting. The margay

           Margay photo: Life in the trees
           Margay Photo. Obtained from wikipedia.com

was captured and killed in large numbers during the 70's and 80's after the demand for spotted cat pelts skyrocketed. It has been estimated by CITES that between 1976-1984, 1400 margay pelts were sold and distributed per year! To add to that staggering fact, in 1991, the margay pelt was discovered to be the most prevalent pelt sold in the fur trade throughout southern Mexico, despite its protected status. As you can see, extinction is a major problem faced by the margay in the future and is certain to occur unless the proper measures to save the cat are taken.