Guigna

Description

The kodkod ( Leopardus guigna Molina,1782 ),also known as guiña,is the smallest feline in the Americas,as well as the one with the most limited distribution,being prevalently prevalent in central and southern regions of Chile and only marginally in the adjacent areas of Argentina.Currently,the IUCN inserts the kodkod among the vulnerable species,given that the number of adult specimens,already below 10,000 units,is still decreasing due to deforestation and decrease in prey;moreover,no population is composed of more than 1000 individuals of reproductive age.The kodkod has small head,big feet and thick tail.The adult specimens weigh between 2 and 2.5 kg,they measure 37-51 cm of length,to which must be added another 20-25 cm of tail,and are about 25 cm tall at shoulder.The coat has a base color that varies from yellow-brownish to gray-brown.The body is decorated with dark spots,the ventral region is clear and the ringed tail.The ears are black with a white spot,while the dark spots on the neck and shoulders almost unite to form a series of striae made up of small dots.They are also quite common kodkod melanistic,with blacks cloaks on which the spots are,however,always distinguishable.