The tilcayo (Leopardus tilcayo), also called the tilcayo tiger cat, is a small spotted wild cat known from the Yungas cloud forest on the eastern slope of the Andes in Bolivia. It was named as a new species in 2026 after a genomic study of tiger cats, and it is the first living cat species formally described since 1923. Local communities already knew the cat by the name tilcayo, and it looks so much like other tiger cats that it is hard to tell apart without genetic evidence. Its light brown fur carries large dark rosettes that stay open or partly closed, it has short round ears and long whiskers, and it weighs about 1.5 to 2 kilograms, less than a domestic cat. The description rests on two animals, and the type locality is near Arapata in the La Paz department. The IUCN has not yet assessed the species, so its range, diet and numbers are still largely unknown.
Facts
Classification
System (Realm) ThreatsEnergy Production and Mining 1 ThreatsBiological Resource Use 1 Relationship to People Relationship to People Living or Extinct Conservation Status Body Size Band Connections
Child Taxon Of
Source Tilcayo (Wikipedia)
In Biome
Source Tilcayo (Wikipedia)
In Ecosystem
Source Tilcayo (Wikipedia)
In the Other Atlases
Found In
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Source Tilcayo (Wikipedia)Lead, BoliviaQuote, Lead, Bolivia
native to Bolivia
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Source Tilcayo (Wikipedia)Distribution and habitat, La PazQuote, Distribution and habitat, La Paz
in the Bolivian department of La Paz
Sources
1. Tilcayo (Wikipedia)
Lead, living species
is the first extant cat species formally described since 1923
Distribution and habitat, realm
a cloud forest, on the eastern slope of the Andes mountain range
Conservation, IUCN
has not been formally assessed by the IUCN Red List
Conservation, mining
Habitat loss, deforestation and mining have been identified as threats to the species.
Conservation, hunting
hunting resulting from conflicts with local inhabitants when the cats prey on domestic poultry
Conservation, pets
keeping of the animals as pets
Conservation, hunting by locals
hunting resulting from conflicts with local inhabitants
Characteristics, size
it is smaller than a domestic cat
Lead, Bolivia
native to Bolivia
Distribution and habitat, La Paz
in the Bolivian department of La Paz
Child Taxon Of: Leopardus, Lead
is a species of small wild cat in the genus Leopardus native to Bolivia
Child Taxon Of: Felidae, Lead, family
is the first extant cat species formally described since 1923
In Biome: Cloud Forest, Distribution and habitat, habitat
This locality is positioned in the mountainous Yungas forest region, a cloud forest, on the eastern slope of the Andes mountain range.
In Group: Cats, Lead, group
is a species of small wild cat in the genus Leopardus native to Bolivia
In Ecosystem: Yungas, Distribution and habitat
This locality is positioned in the mountainous Yungas forest region, a cloud forest, on the eastern slope of the Andes mountain range.
View the Source2. Live Science: Scientists name a new cat species for the first time in over a century
Live ScienceLead
lives in the Yungas cloud forest region of Bolivia
Description of the animals
These small cats weigh 3 to 4 pounds (1.5 to 2 kilograms)
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