The smallest cat in the Americas, the 5.5-pound guiña or kodkod occurs only in Central and Southern Chile with parts of its range extending to the adjoining areas of Argentina. While the guiña is an agile climber, it prefers to hunt on the ground. It is currently listed as “Vulnerable” on the IUCN Red List, and its population is decreasing. The best place to see guiña in the wild, including the unusual melanistic individuals, is Chiloe island in Chile.
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