The beautifully-marked margay is a small wild cat native to Central and South America. It lives in primary, deciduous evergreen forest and hunts alone at night. Until the 1990s, margays were hunted illegally for their skin, which resulted in their population decreasing drastically. Margay reportedly uses an incredible mimicry tactic to attract prey in the Amazon jungle. Because the cat is so elusive, scientists have not been able to photograph the creature snaring its prey. So far, what scientists know comes from the stories told by locals. A group of researchers working in Brazil reported that a margay (Leopardus wiedii) makes calls to resemble the sound of a pied tamarind (monkey) baby. The margay would pounce on the parents when they come down looking for the baby.
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