Panthera onca Makushi name: Wayamaikî, Kaikusi Creole name: Tiger, Pouss, Turtle Tiger Size: body=1.25 m; tail=55 cm; weight=70 kg Description: Very large and spotted; black spots forming open, broken circles, with a small central spot; heavy-set with a massive head and relatively short, thick legs. Tail shorter than hind limbs. This is the largest carnivore in Iwokrama. Eyeshine bright greenish-yellow. Activity: Nocturnal and diurnal; mainly terrestrial, will climb low trees, and it swims well. Habits: Solitary. It is sometimes seen walking along trails, road-sides, riversides, or other gaps at forest edge. Preys on large animals such as Capybara, peccaries, deer, and turtles. Most often silent, it occasionally roars or makes a loud series of grunts. Habitat: Primary forest and forest edge. Signs: Tracks, which are seen more often then the cat itself, are broad (in adults, 95 mm or more across), with four toes that have rounded toe pads, and no claw marks. The foot pad of the track is broad and rounded at the top (whereas it is indented at the top in Puma). Status: Uncommon. Listed on CITES Appendix I. IUCN rank of Lower Risk. 

JaguarundiHerpailurus yaguarondi Makushi name: Waron, Kawai-yenpu Creole name: Haka Tiger, Akuri Tiger Size: body=75 cm; tail=50 cm; weight=7 kg Description: Medium-sized with relatively short legs and elongated body; dark grey or reddish (a single litter may include both colour phases); grey animals are more common. Easily distinguished from other cats by long, low profile; long narrow tail distinguishes it from bushy-tailed Tayra. Eyeshine dull, reddish. Activity: Mainly diurnal, occasionally active at night; it usually travels on the ground but can climb well. Habits: This cat is more likely to be encountered than other species in Iwokrama. This is due in part to its diurnal habits, but also because it is not limited to forest, often entering grassy areas or clearings and crossing roads. It uses dens on the ground, in thickets or hollow logs. It usually eats small rodents and birds, but also takes insects or lizards on occasion, and may raid chicken coops. Calls are seldom heard in the wild; captives sometimes whistle, chirp, or churr. Habitat: Found in a variety of habitats including forest, savannah, and cultivated areas, often near water. It favors dense brush and is less common in primary forest. Signs: Four-toed tracks are about 40 mm wide, about the same size as those of Margay, but with narrower foot and toe pads (Margay tracks are less often encountered than those of Jaguarundi). Tracks may be found along roads or trails and in open areas. Status: Uncommon. Listed on CITES Appendix II. Distribution in Iwokrama

OcelotLeopardus pardalis Makushi name: Woronai Size: body=75 cm; tail=35 cm; weight=10 kg Description: Medium-sized spotted cat. Much smaller and less stocky in build than Jaguar, with spots tending to form rows. This is the largest of the three smaller spotted cats (the others are Margay and Oncilla), all of which can be difficult to distinguish in the field. Of the three, the Ocelot is the heaviest in build, and its relatively narrow tail is only as long as the hind legs (would not drag on the ground if held down). Eyes yellowish, medium sized; muzzle relatively long. Eyeshine is bright yellow. Activity: Mainly nocturnal, but can be active on overcast days or at dusk. Chiefly terrestrial but climbs well; swims occasionally. Habits: Usually solitary, this cat travels several kilometres each night. It is sometimes seen from a boat at the edge of a forested creek or river at night. During the day it may climb trees to rest on branches, or den among buttresses, in culverts, or under treefalls. It eats small terrestrial mammals, iguanas, land crabs, and birds, and may take turtles or fish. It is seldom heard in the wild and it moves silently. Habitat: All forest types and disturbed areas with adequate cover. Signs: Tracks of this species are more often encountered than those of the other small spotted cats; unlike other cats, the front tracks are noticeably broader than hind tracks (front about 60 mm, hind 50 mm, in adults). Status: Locally common. Listed on CITES Appendix I.

OncillaLeopardus tigrinus Size: body=50 cm; tail=30 cm; weight=2.25 kg Description: Smallest of the spotted cats, almost the size of a house cat. Upperparts usually tawny with black spots; sometimes entirely brownish-black in Guyana. Spots usually separate, not forming stripes except on neck. Tail slightly longer than hind legs, relatively shorter and less bushy than Margay tail. Fur on neck not reversed. Legs long and slim, with medium sized feet. Muzzle short, eyes yellowish. Eyeshine bright yellow. Activity: Probably nocturnal and terrestrial, but may climb. Habits: Habits are not well known. In captivity it climbs well, but it is thought to travel and hunt on the ground. The diet includes mice and small birds. It is usually silent. Habitat: Usually found in mature forest. Signs: Front tracks are broader than hind (front about 27 mm, hind 22 mm), with a larger gap between foot pad and toe pad than in track of domestic cat. Tracks are rarely encountered. Status: Rare. This is the least known cat species in Iwokrama (to date it has not been recorded in Iwokrama Forest). Listed on CITES Appendix I. IUCN rank of Lower Risk.

PumaPuma concolor Makushi name: Sariwara, Waikinimî Creole name: Deer Tiger Size: body=1 m; tail=60 cm; weight=45 kg Description: Large and slim-bodied, with long legs and long tail; upperparts sandy brown to deep red-brown, underparts cream to white. Head relatively small, with large pointed ears. Tail narrow, tipped black. Adult is only large unspotted cat in Iwokrama. Young is marked with brown spots. Eyeshine bright yellow. Activity: Nocturnal and diurnal; mainly terrestrial but climbs well; seldom enters water. Habits: Solitary and shy; seldom seen. It travels great distances, often along dirt roads or trails. The diet includes a variety of medium to large animal prey such as deer, Paca, and agouti. It may attack livestock if prey populations are reduced. Although usually silent, it may grunt, purr or yowl. Habitat: All types of forest and open areas; prefers upland, rocky terrain and avoids marsh and wetland. Signs: Tracks are often found on dirt roads or along trails; tracks are large (about 80 mm across), with four toe pads that taper almost to a point; top of the foot pad is indented (compare with rounded pad of Jaguar). Other signs include partially eaten kills covered with sticks, and scratches on fallen logs; sign may be stained with strong-smelling urine. Status: Uncommon. Listed on CITES Appendix II. Distribution in Iwokrama

MargayLeopardus wiedii Makushi name: Masiki, Masikiru Creole name: Labba Tiger Size: body=60 cm; tail=40 cm; weight=3.5 kg Description: Small, slim, spotted cat. This species has a relatively long, bushy tail that would drag on the ground if held down. Fur on neck reversed, slants towards head. Long legs with large, broad feet. Muzzle short, eyes brown, large. Eyeshine bright yellow. Activity: Mainly nocturnal and arboreal; hunts in trees but may travel on the ground at times. Habits: Poorly known, probably solitary. This species is the most arboreal of the Neotropical cats. Unlike other cats, it can rotate the hind feet and descend head first down a vertical tree trunk. It usually rests well above ground in hollow branches or among vine tangles. The diet is mainly small mammals such as climbing mice, opossums, and squirrels; birds and larger mammals are sometimes taken. Sounds are seldom heard in the wild. Habitat: Mature forest; seldom recorded in second growth or disturbed areas. Signs: Front and hind tracks are about the same size (35 mm wide in adults); tracks are seldom encountered as this cat is uncommon and mainly arboreal. Status: Uncommon. Listed on CITES Appendix I. Distribution in Iwokrama

OlingoBassaricyon beddardi Size: body=40 cm; tail=40 cm; weight=1.5 kg Description: Small and catlike, with a long, slightly bushy tail. Body grey-brown to yellowish, head usually grey; underparts paler. Tail not prehensile, marked with very faint bands. Ears short and rounded. Easily confused with Kinkajou, which is larger and has a tapering, prehensile tail and a broader muzzle. Eyeshine bright orange. Activity: Nocturnal and arboreal, seldom descends to the ground. Agile and fast-moving. Habits: This small relative of the raccoon is usually solitary, but several individuals may feed together in a fruiting tree. If caught in a spotlight it usually runs off, moving quickly through the branches with its tail held straight out or raised up. It rests in the day on branches or in holes in trees. It eats a variety of fruits, nectar, invertebrates, and small vertebrates. It is usually silent, but sometimes makes a two-note alarm call “whey-chuck, whey-chuck,” slower and lower in pitch than that of the Kinkajou. Other calls include sneezes and growls. Habitat: Usually found in undisturbed evergreen forest, occasionally in second growth or at forest edge. Signs: Tracks are five-toed with claw marks close to the toe pads, about 30 to 35 mm wide. Tracks are seldom seen due to arboreal habits. Status: Rare. IUCN rank of Lower Risk. Distribution in Iwokrama

KinkajouPotos flavus Makushi name: Kuikui Creole name: Honey Bear, Night Monkey Size: body=55 cm; tail=50 cm; weight=3 kg Description: Medium sized carnivore, with some resemblance to a monkey or long-tailed bear. Golden-brown above, cream or yellow below; tail prehensile, tapering to a dark tip that is usually wrapped around a branch. Face short and broad with widely spaced, rounded ears and large eyes. Easily confused with Olingo which has a non-tapered, nonprehensile tail and a grey head. Eyeshine bright orange. Activity: Nocturnal and arboreal, seldom descends to the ground. Habits: Usually solitary but sometimes in small groups. It may feed in the same tree with Olingos or opossums. The Kinkajou is less active than the Olingo, and is one of the most often seen nocturnal arboreal mammals. It can be located by sounds of falling leaves as it moves noisily through the trees; when caught in a light it often remains motionless for several minutes. During the day it rests in tree hollows or on branches. The diet is mainly fruit, supplemented with nectar, insects (including ants), and small vertebrates such as mice and bats. It can sometimes be located by calls, including a short, barking “wick-wick-wick,” or a low moaning cry. Habitat: Common in all types of forest, also found in second growth and agricultural areas with sufficient trees. Signs: Tracks are five-toed, about 40 mm wide, with large foot pads and claw marks close to the toe pads; tracks seldom encountered due to arboreal habits (but more common than those of Olingos). Status: Common. Distribution in Iwokrama

CoatiNasua nasua Makushi name: Kuwasi Creole name: Kibi-hee Size: body=55 cm; tail=55 cm; weight=4.5 kg Description: A long-nosed relative of the raccoon with a long tail often held straight up. Body colour varies from orange-brown to dark brown; belly pale yellow. Legs rather short; long strong claws on front feet. Face brown with white spots on cheeks and around eyes; ears short and rounded. Tail bushy at base, faintly to strongly banded. Eyeshine whitish. Activity: Diurnal; terrestrial and arboreal. Habits: At a distance one may see nothing more than several erect, slowly waving tails as a group of coatis forage on the ground. Groups numbering up to 60 consist of females and their young; males are solitary except during the breeding season. This species climbs well and may feed on fruit in the canopy, or rest on branches during the day and at night, but it also feeds and travels on the ground, digging through the leaf litter and under logs for tubers and invertebrates. Small vertebrates are also taken. When disturbed, one member of the group will bark and the rest of the group will flee, climbing up to a safe vantage. Chitters, squeals and soft calls are also given. Habitat: All forest types, second growth, and scrub. Signs: Tracks are five-toed, about 45 mm wide, with large foot pads and long claws well-spaced from toe pads. Shallow digging over a wide area and disturbance of the leaf litter indicate the recent activity of a group of coatis. Status: Locally common, especially if not hunted.

TayraEira barbara Makushi name: Araiwa Creole name: Haka Size: body=75 cm; tail=40 cm; weight=4 kg Description: Large, long-legged weasel-like animal with a long bushy tail. Body usually blackish with a pale yellow or grey-brown head and neck; sometimes fur entirely straw-yellow (this race is found only in Guyana, intermixed with dark animals). Back long and arched; feet large with strong claws. Activity: Mainly diurnal, sometimes active at dusk or before dawn; semi-arboreal, traveling along the ground or on horizontal branches in the lower canopy. Habits: Seen moving rapidly through the trees or on the ground alone or in groups of 2 to 4. This large mustelid travels with a bouncy gait, back and tail arched. If disturbed it usually climbs to escape, moving along branches with great agility. At night it sleeps in burrows or hollow logs. It eats insects, fruit, and vertebrates including lizards, monkeys, and agoutis. It is usually silent, but may snort sharply or spit when disturbed; growls and high-pitched barks are sometimes given. Habitat: Evergreen and deciduous forest and second growth; also clearings and agricultural areas near forest. Signs: Five-toed tracks are broad (about 55 mm front or back) with prominent claw marks; seed-filled scat often deposited on fallen logs. Status: Not yet recorded from Iwokrama Forest