South America is home to at least 11 commonly recognized native wild cat species, including jaguars, pumas, ocelots, margays, jaguarundis, and the rare Andean mountain cat. These felines inhabit everything from Amazon rainforests and the Pantanal wetlands to Patagonia’s grasslands and the high Andes.
The two largest wild cats in South America are the jaguar and puma. The ocelot is one of the continent’s best-known medium-sized wild cats, while smaller species such as the margay, kodkod, and tiger cats can be much harder to identify.
Wild cat classification is still evolving. The IUCN Cat Specialist Group recognizes the northern and southern tiger cats as separate species, while the classification of the Pampas cat complex remains under study. This guide covers 11 widely recognized species and explains where they live, what they look like, and which ones travelers have a realistic chance of seeing.
Table of Contents
Wild Cats in South America: Complete Species List
| Wild cat | Scientific name | Identification and habitat |
|---|---|---|
| Jaguar | Panthera onca | Large, muscular spotted cat; forests and wetlands |
| Puma | Puma concolor | Large, tawny cat; mountains, forests and grasslands |
| Ocelot | Leopardus pardalis | Medium-sized spotted cat; tropical forests and woodland |
| Jaguarundi | Herpailurus yagouaroundi | Long, low body with mostly solid-colored fur; scrub and woodland |
| Margay | Leopardus wiedii | Small spotted forest cat with large eyes and a long tail |
| Andean mountain cat | Leopardus jacobita | Rare, thick-furred cat of high Andean habitats |
| Geoffroy’s cat | Leopardus geoffroyi | Small spotted cat of southern grasslands and woodland |
| Pampas cat | Leopardus colocola complex | Variable coat, often associated with open and highland habitats |
| Northern tiger cat | Leopardus tigrinus | Small spotted cat of northern South American habitats |
| Southern tiger cat | Leopardus guttulus | Small spotted cat associated with southern and eastern South America |
| Kodkod (güiña) | Leopardus guigna | Very small spotted cat of southern Chile and Argentina |
South America’s wildlife is remarkably diverse, but most of these cats are difficult to observe in the wild. Jaguars and pumas are the main species targeted by specialized wildlife-viewing trips. Smaller cats are often recorded through camera traps rather than direct sightings.
What Big Cats Live in South America?
Jaguars and pumas are South America’s two largest native wild cat species. Jaguars are the largest cats in the Americas, while pumas are more widely distributed across a range of habitats.
Strictly speaking, jaguars belong to the genus Panthera, which includes lions, tigers, and leopards. Pumas belong to a different genus, but are commonly grouped with big cats because of their large size.
1. Jaguar
The jaguar (Panthera onca) is the largest wild cat in South America and the third-largest living cat species worldwide after tigers and lions.
Jaguars have powerful, stocky bodies, broad heads, and golden coats covered in dark rosette-shaped markings. Many of their rosettes contain smaller black spots, which helps distinguish them from leopards.
They inhabit tropical forests, seasonally flooded wetlands, dry forests, and other suitable landscapes. The Amazon Basin and Brazilian Pantanal are especially important jaguar habitats.
Jaguars are strong swimmers and may hunt capybaras, caimans, peccaries, and other animals. Their powerful jaws are adapted for forceful bites, including bites that penetrate the skulls of certain prey.
Where to see them: The Porto Jofre region of Brazil’s Pantanal is particularly well known for guided jaguar-watching boat trips. Sightings are never guaranteed.
If you’re comparing their markings with another spotted cat, see my jaguar vs. leopard guide or my explanation of jaguar spots and rosettes.
2. Puma (Cougar or Mountain Lion)
The puma (Puma concolor) is another large wild cat found throughout much of South America. It is also called the cougar or mountain lion.
Unlike jaguars, adult pumas have mostly uniform tawny or grayish-brown coats without prominent spots. Their bodies are lean and muscular, with relatively small heads and long tails.
Pumas are extremely adaptable. They occupy tropical forests, grasslands, arid scrubland, mountains, and Patagonian landscapes. They prey on animals ranging from smaller mammals to deer and guanacos.
Where to see them: Chilean Patagonia, particularly the wider Torres del Paine region, is well known for guided puma-watching experiences.
Pumas are naturally secretive. Wildlife tours should follow local regulations and avoid crowding, approaching, or disturbing cats while they rest, hunt, or care for cubs.
What Is a Medium-Sized Wild Cat Found in South America?
The ocelot is one of the best-known medium-sized wild cats found in South America. It is substantially smaller than a jaguar or puma but larger and more heavily built than many of the continent’s smallest feline species.
Ocelots are recognized by their striking spotted coats, dark stripes, and elongated, chain-like markings. They inhabit forests and other densely vegetated environments across much of tropical South America.
3. Ocelot
The ocelot (Leopardus pardalis) is a medium-sized spotted cat found in tropical and subtropical habitats across Central and South America.
Ocelots have beautifully patterned coats featuring dark spots, stripes, and elongated markings. Their faces often show bold dark lines running across the cheeks and forehead.
They are primarily solitary and frequently active at night. Their prey includes rodents, birds, reptiles, and other small animals.
In forests shared with smaller wild cats, ocelots can be important competitors for food and habitat. Researchers sometimes refer to their influence on other feline species as the “ocelot effect.”
Where they live: Ocelots occur in the Amazon Basin, parts of the Atlantic Forest, and other suitable habitats across the northern and central portions of South America.
Although ocelots are widespread, seeing one in the wild can be difficult because of their camouflage and often nocturnal behavior.
4. Jaguarundi
The jaguarundi (Herpailurus yagouaroundi) looks very different from most South American wild cats.
It has a long, slender body, relatively short legs, a small head, and a long tail. Its coat is usually fairly uniform in color, ranging from dark grayish brown to reddish brown.
This unusual body shape can make a jaguarundi resemble an otter or weasel when viewed briefly from a distance.
Jaguarundis occupy scrubland, woodland, forest edges, and other habitats with sufficient vegetation. They are notably active during daylight hours compared with many other small wild cats.
Identification tip: Look for the elongated body, long tail, small rounded ears, and largely unspotted coat.
Small Wild Cats Native to South America
South America’s smaller feline species are some of the most difficult animals to observe and identify. Several have overlapping ranges and similar markings, while others are restricted to particular habitats or geographic regions.
5. Margay
The margay (Leopardus wiedii) is a small spotted cat strongly associated with forests.
Margays have large eyes, rounded ears, and long tails that help them balance in trees. Their climbing ability is remarkable, and they spend much of their time moving through branches.
They are primarily nocturnal and can be difficult to spot even in forests where they occur.
Margays are sometimes confused with ocelots, but they are smaller and generally have proportionally larger eyes and longer tails.
6. Andean Mountain Cat
The Andean mountain cat (Leopardus jacobita) is among the world’s rarest and least frequently observed wild cats.
It inhabits high-altitude environments in the Andes of Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, and Peru, with populations adapted to cold, rugged, and often sparsely vegetated landscapes.
This cat has thick grayish fur, distinctive markings, and a long, heavily banded tail. Its appearance helps it blend into rocky mountain terrain.
Because of its rarity, remote habitat, and elusive behavior, it should not be considered a realistic target for an ordinary wildlife tour.
7. Geoffroy’s Cat
Geoffroy’s cat (Leopardus geoffroyi) is a small wild cat found in southern South America, including Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, southern Brazil, Bolivia, and parts of Chile.
Its coat typically features numerous dark spots on a yellowish or grayish background. Its facial markings and compact build can resemble those of other small spotted cats.
Geoffroy’s cats occupy grasslands, scrubland, woodland, and wetland-associated habitats. Their diet includes rodents, birds, reptiles, and other small animals.
They are generally difficult to observe because of their secretive behavior, although they occur across a relatively broad geographic range.
8. Pampas Cat
The Pampas cat is part of a taxonomically complicated group commonly associated with the name Leopardus colocola.
These cats occur in a variety of open and semi-open habitats, including grasslands, scrublands, and highland environments. Their coats can differ considerably between regions, ranging from relatively plain to striped or spotted.
Some researchers propose dividing the Pampas cat group into several species, while other classifications retain a broader species concept.
This uncertainty is one reason different references give different totals for the number of wild cat species in South America.
9. Northern Tiger Cat (Oncilla)
The northern tiger cat (Leopardus tigrinus) is a small spotted feline found in parts of northern South America.
It is often called the oncilla or little spotted cat. Its small body, large eyes, and rosette-like markings can make it resemble a miniature ocelot.
Northern tiger cats are associated with forested and other suitable habitats. Their geographic distribution and classification have been revised as researchers have studied genetic differences between tiger cat populations.
They are elusive and often confused with other small cats, especially in photographs where there is no object to establish scale.
10. Southern Tiger Cat
The southern tiger cat (Leopardus guttulus) is a small spotted cat recognized as distinct from the northern tiger cat.
It occurs in parts of southern and eastern South America, including Brazil and neighboring countries, and is closely associated with forest and woodland habitats.
Its coat features dark spots and rosettes, which can make it difficult to tell apart from other members of the Leopardus genus.
Genetic research has helped clarify its separate evolutionary history, although relationships between populations of small South American cats remain an active area of study.
The IUCN Cat Specialist Group’s southern tiger cat profile explains its classification, distribution, and conservation concerns.
11. Kodkod (Güiña)
The kodkod, also called the güiña (Leopardus guigna), is one of the smallest wild cats in the Americas.
It lives in parts of southern Chile and neighboring Argentina, particularly in forested environments with dense vegetation.
Kodkods have compact bodies, short tails, and coats marked with dark spots. They are secretive and may be difficult to observe even where suitable habitat remains.
They face conservation pressures associated with habitat loss, fragmentation, and conflict with people.
How to Identify South American Wild Cats
If you’re trying to identify a South American wild cat from a photograph, start with the animal’s body shape, coat pattern, tail, and geographic location.
| What you notice | Species to consider |
|---|---|
| Very large, muscular cat with rosettes | Jaguar |
| Large tan cat with no obvious adult spots | Puma |
| Medium-sized cat with bold chain-like markings | Ocelot |
| Long, low body with mostly solid-colored fur | Jaguarundi |
| Small spotted forest cat with large eyes and long tail | Margay |
| Small, thick-furred cat with a heavily banded tail in the high Andes | Andean mountain cat |
| Small spotted cat in southern grasslands or woodland | Geoffroy’s cat or another regional small cat |
These are starting points, not definitive identifications. Small South American cats can be extremely similar, and reliable identification may require detailed photographs, location information, or expert review.
Are There Leopards in South America?
No, leopards are not native to South America and do not have naturally occurring wild populations there. Leopards belong to the species Panthera pardus and are native to Africa and Asia.
The spotted big cat most likely to be confused with a leopard in South America is the jaguar.
Jaguars are generally stockier, with broader heads and larger rosettes that often contain small central black spots. Leopards tend to have leaner bodies and smaller rosettes.
For a closer explanation, read Are There Leopards in South America?
Where Can You See Wild Cats in South America?
Seeing a wild cat in South America requires patience, suitable habitat, and realistic expectations. Specialized trips are generally much more effective for observing jaguars or pumas than for locating the continent’s smaller feline species.
Brazilian Pantanal: Jaguars
The Pantanal is one of the best-known wildlife destinations in South America, particularly for jaguar viewing.
Guided boat excursions around Porto Jofre travel along rivers and wetlands where jaguars may hunt, swim, rest, or move between areas of vegetation.
The drier months, commonly from July to October, can be favorable for wildlife observation as changing water levels affect animal movements. Actual sightings depend on conditions and cannot be guaranteed.
Brazil’s official tourism website provides an overview of jaguar photography safaris in the Pantanal.
Torres del Paine Region, Chile: Pumas
Chilean Patagonia is well known for pumas, particularly around the Torres del Paine landscape.
Specialized wildlife guides may offer puma-focused trips that involve observing animals from appropriate distances. These experiences should prioritize safety, wildlife welfare, and compliance with national park and local regulations.
The municipality of Torres del Paine has published a responsible puma-viewing protocol developed with conservation partners.
Amazon Rainforest: Ocelots, Margays, and Other Forest Cats
The Amazon Basin supports several wild cat species, including jaguars, pumas, ocelots, margays, and jaguarundis.
However, dense vegetation and nocturnal activity make direct sightings difficult. Even on multi-day wildlife trips, visitors may never see a wild feline.
Camera traps, animal tracks, and research observations often reveal far more about these forest cats than ordinary tourism excursions.
If your main goal is photographing a particular wild cat, choose a destination and qualified operator with experience observing that species rather than assuming every rainforest lodge offers the same opportunities.
Why South America’s Wild Cats Need Protection
Wild cats play important ecological roles by influencing prey populations and interacting with other predators. They also depend on habitats that support many other forms of wildlife.
Major conservation concerns include habitat loss, forest fragmentation, illegal killing, road mortality, and conflict with livestock owners or other human activities.
Some species, such as jaguars and pumas, need extensive connected landscapes. Smaller species may depend on specialized forest or high-altitude habitats that are vulnerable to disturbance.
Conservation organizations including Panthera, the Wildlife Conservation Society, and the Small Wild Cat Conservation Foundation support research and wildlife conservation initiatives.
Frequently Asked Questions About Wild Cats in South America
What wild cats are found in South America?
South America has at least 11 commonly recognized native wild cat species, including jaguars, pumas, ocelots, jaguarundis, margays, Andean mountain cats, Geoffroy’s cats, Pampas cats, northern tiger cats, southern tiger cats, and kodkods. Species counts can vary with taxonomic revisions.
What is a medium-sized cat found in South America?
The ocelot is one of the best-known medium-sized South American wild cats. It has a spotted coat with elongated, chain-like markings and lives in forested habitats across much of tropical South America.
What big cats live in South America?
The jaguar and puma are South America’s two largest native wild cats. Jaguars are the continent’s largest felines, while pumas occur across a wider variety of habitats.
Are there leopards in South America?
No. Leopards are native to Africa and Asia, not South America. Jaguars are the spotted big cats native to South America that are most often confused with leopards.
What is the rarest wild cat in South America?
The Andean mountain cat is among South America’s rarest and least frequently observed wild cats. It inhabits remote, high-altitude landscapes in the Andes.
Where is the best place to see jaguars in South America?
The Porto Jofre region of Brazil’s Pantanal is one of the best-known places for guided jaguar-watching trips. Sightings remain dependent on wildlife movements and local conditions.
South America’s Remarkable Wild Cats
South America’s wild cats range from powerful jaguars and adaptable pumas to rare forest and mountain species that most travelers will never encounter.
If your goal is seeing one in the wild, focus on established wildlife destinations and realistic expectations. The Brazilian Pantanal is particularly notable for jaguars, while Chilean Patagonia offers opportunities to observe pumas with responsible specialist guides.
For a broader look at feline species around the world, explore my Cats in the Wild guide.