CreatureData

Margay vs Oncilla

The margay is heavier: 3.25 kg against 2.25 kg for the oncilla, about 44% more.

Margay (Leopardus wiedii)
Margay NTNear Threatened
Photo: Supreet Sahoo · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Oncilla (Leopardus tigrinus)
Oncilla VUVulnerable
Photo: (c) Thomaz de Carvalho Callado, some rights reserved (CC BY) · CC BY 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

What is the difference between a margay and a oncilla?

Each point below is worked out from a pair of recorded values.

  • The margay is heavier: 3.25 kg against 2.25 kg for the oncilla, about 44% more.
  • The oncilla is longer-lived: 21.8 years against 21 years for the margay, about 4% longer.
  • Both belong to the genus Leopardus, so they are close relatives.
  • The margay is listed as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List; the oncilla is Vulnerable.

Side by side

MargayOncilla
Scientific nameLeopardus wiediiLeopardus tigrinus
FamilyFelidaeFelidae
OrderCarnivoraCarnivora
Weight3.25 kg – 3.6 kg2.25 kg
LengthNot recordedNot recorded
Lifespan21 years21.8 years
Main foodNot recordedNot recorded
HabitatforestNot recorded
Conservation statusNear ThreatenedVulnerable
Countries recordedNot recordedNot recorded

A scale drawing needs a recorded length for both animals; only weights are on record for this pair.

Full record: MargayFull record: OncillaCompare other animals