These two wild cat species are the best climbers and most associated with tree dwelling:
Margay resting in a tree, typical behavior - Photo copyright Adriane Taylor See more of Adriane's work |
Other wild cat species that spend time in trees are:
- Ocelet - hunt on the ground, rest in trees and escape to trees
- Leopard cat - likes forest cover and can be "quite arboreal in their habits"¹
- African golden cat - thought to be arboreal but short tail and stocky body indicates otherwise. More needs to be known about this cat.
- Marbled cat - more arboreal than the average wild cat species.
- Leopard - we have all seen leopards taking prey into trees and resting in trees.
Note: "Arboreal" means: living in trees. (1) Wild Cats of the World.
Margay
This is probably the best feline tree dweller. They tend to prey on other animals living in trees and terrestrial animals. They often feed on birds, rodents, insects and fruit. Yes, fruit. Most of the prey of the margay are nocturnal and arboreal. However, they also hunt on the ground feeding on mice, rabbits and young pacas and agoutis for example.