Oncilla or 'Little Spotted Cat'
From Costa Rica Travel Guide: Vacation and Travel tips
Oncillas in Costa Rica
For a mysterious cat, the Oncilla is known by many names: Little Spotted Cat, Tigrillo, Tiger Cat, and Cunaguaro. The Oncilla is the most mysterious of the cats in Costa Rica, as there’s relatively little information about its habit in the wild. Consequently, it is one of the least frequently observed mammals in Costa Rica. The range of the Oncilla is from Costa Rica to northern Argentina. That said, it has not been recorded in Panama and many other areas of South America. It can be found in tropical rainforests and dense brush from sea level to at least 10,000 ft.
The Oncilla is the close smaller relative of the Ocelot and the Margay. The Oncilla is the smallest wildcat in Costa Rica and is slightly larger than the average house cat. The average Oncilla will be 20 inches in length, plus another 11 inches long in the tail and weigh approximately 5-10 lbs. Males are larger than females.
It is difficult to distinguish an Oncilla from a Margay in a natural setting. At one point they were considered the same species of cat. The Margay has larger eyes, a more prominent muzzle around the whiskers and a bushier and proportionately longer tail. Typically the Oncilla has smaller and more numerous spots (rosettes). The nape hair of the Oncilla is directed backward, while the hair on the Margay grows forward.
The Oncilla is nocturnal and a good climber, but less arboreal than the margay. Oncilla feed on mice and small rodents. Gestation last about two and a half months and results in one or two kittens. What they do know about this little cat is that it can hold its own and although it’s little, it packs a punch. During confrontations with domestic cats, the little spotted cat often comes out on top.
Cats may have a better chance of surviving in Costa Rica than in any other Central American countries, but if deforestation continues along with human disturbance, the Oncilla’s fate could be highly questionable.
