30 August 2025

Spotted Cat Ecuador camera trap ID

Hello dear mammalwatchers!

I am currently doing fieldwork in Ecuador in Andean bears (Tremarctos Ornatus) and  one of the camera traps caught a series of melanistic spotted cats. However, we have a really hard time getting to a definitive ID and would like to request your help. We suspect they are two different individuals.

The photos were taken close to the Maquipucuna lodge West of Quito.

If you have an idea what species they might be, please let us know. We would also really like to know why!

Happy mammalwatching!

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Post author

Jonatan den Haan
Biologist, mammalwatcher and birder! Big advocate for loving your local animals and ecosystem!
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1 Comment

  • 30 August 2025
    Flemming Versloot

    My first guess would be an oncilla, as the oncilla comes in a melanistic version and your photos resemble photos that you can find of melanistic oncillas a lot.

    I would also add that when looking at oncilla photos online, I would say that leg to body ratio and the size of the tail is similar.

    I am however no expert on South American cats so I could be wrong.

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