Capturing a rare-breed cat in their natural habitat is a huge deal, and for wildlife biologist, Holly O’Donnell, a very cool surprise.
While filming in the Amazon Rainforest, the experienced jungle guide noticed a pair of gigantic, curious eyes staring back at her. It’s a blessing we live in the time of camera phones, the internet, and social media because now, we all get to see Holly’s rare find: the Margay (Leopardus wiedii)!
This may be Holly’s first Margay sighting, but it’s mine, too! These small, spotted cats are sometimes called “tree ocelots” or “painted cats,” and despite their stature that could get lost in the jungle’s stunning scenery, you can’t miss their enormous, alien-looking eyes.
These rare miniature felines reside in Central and South America, and they’re classified as “near threatened” by the IUCN due to deforestation and low reproductive rates (only one, maybe two kittens every two years).
Related: Gigantic Rare Cat Looks Like a Mini Tabby Tiger
Facts About Extremely Rare Margay Cats
If this is your first time seeing a Margay, congrats! There are a lot of awesome things about these little cuties (aside from how adorable they are). They can be confused with an ocelot, though they’re smaller in size and have longer tails. The biggest giveaway that it’s a Margay is those large, striking eyes!
You might consider Margays as the cat version of monkeys because of their sharp claws, grippy hands and feet, and prehensile tails used to show off their incredible climbing skills. They’re arboreal, which means they live primarily in the trees, taking up space between branches and scaling forest canopies and trunks—also like monkeys!
Here’s a view of the fierce predator (via wildlife vet @dr.evanantin) doing silly, goofy cat things!
These cool kitties are generally solitary and can navigate vertical habitats like Olympic gymnasts. Their talent for descending down trees headfirst is all thanks to their 180-degree rotating ankles, and should you ever catch them in action, you will be mesmerized!
Actual population numbers aren’t known, but their low production rate alone makes them unique, hard-to-find cats. The fact that Holly not only spotted one of these felines is pretty special. That video will be hard to beat—even in the Amazon!
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This story was originally published by Parade Pets on Apr 9, 2026, where it first appeared in the Pet News section. Add Parade Pets as a Preferred Source by clicking here.