The strange spotted cat has a bird-like cry

The Kodkod spotted leopard (Leopardus guigna) looks like a cross between a domestic cat and a cheetah . They live mainly in temperate forests in Chile and surrounding areas in western Argentina. With an adult length of only 37 - 52 cm including the tail and weighing from 2 to 2.5 kg, this is the smallest wild cat in the Western Hemisphere.

Due to the small population size and the secluded lifestyle, L. guigna's behavior is still not well understood, especially the way they communicate. In a new short video published on May 18 on the Live Science page , biologists first revealed the bird-like cry of this adorable spotted cat.

Photo of spotted Kodkod in Photo Ark. (Photo: Joel Sartore).

Leopardus guigna has recently become the 10,000th species to be added to Photo Ark , a National Geographic project led by photographer Joel Sartore that captures all species of zoo and wildlife sanctuaries. around the globe.

Sartore recorded the first photo in 2006 of a hairless mole (Heterocephalus glaber). The goal of the project is to take portraits of at least 15,000 species, representing mammals, fish, birds, amphibians, reptiles and invertebrates. 

Through the collection, Sartore hopes to create a database of world biodiversity and inspire people to take action to conserve endangered species before they disappear. lost. "Photo Ark connects our emotions with animals. It is eye contact that touches people 's hearts and wants to help," Sartore said.