Giles Laurent · CC BY-SA 4.0Ocelot
Leopardus pardalis · jaguarete'i
A medium-sized cat with chain-patterned spots, nocturnal and stealthy.
What it is
The largest of Paraguay's small spotted cats, its golden coat is marked with elongated, black-edged spots that form chains. It hunts rodents, birds and reptiles at night and rests by day on tree trunks or in dense undergrowth. It is found almost everywhere in the country where forest remains, but it is shy and rarely seen.
Did you know…?
Its Guaraní name, jaguarete'i, means “little jaguar.” The word mbarakaja is used for cats in general, including house cats.
Where
Chaco forests (Defensores del Chaco), Mbaracayú, San Rafael and the Itaipú reserves. It is almost always recorded by camera traps.
Researched and reviewed in September 2026 with 3 sources. A second reviewer checked dates, coordinates and lodging. Hours and prices may change.