The Margay
Meet the Margay: Costa Rica’s Tree-Climbing Cat
The margay is one of Costa Rica’s most secretive wild cats, smaller than the ocelot but even more specialized for life in the trees. With enormous eyes, flexible joints, and unmatched climbing skills, the margay is often called the “acrobat of the jungle.” Rarely seen, it remains one of the most fascinating animals that travelers dream of spotting in the wild.
Key Facts
Size: 48–79 cm (19–31 inches) in body length, with a tail nearly as long as the body
Weight: 2.5–4 kg (5.5–9 pounds)
Lifespan: 12–14 years in the wild, up to 20 in captivity
Diet: Small mammals, birds, reptiles, frogs, and insects
Activity: Primarily nocturnal and arboreal
Cool Facts About Margays
The margay is one of the best climbers in the animal kingdom. Unlike most cats, it has flexible ankle joints that can rotate up to 180 degrees. This allows it to climb headfirst down trees, hang from branches with one foot, and leap gracefully through the canopy.
Its tail is nearly as long as its body and acts as a balancing tool, making the margay agile in ways no other cat can match. It can even hunt in the treetops, where it preys on squirrels, birds, and monkeys.
Margays are also clever hunters. They have been observed mimicking the calls of baby monkeys to lure adults closer, a rare behavior that shows just how intelligent and adaptable they are.
Their large eyes give them incredible night vision, perfect for stalking prey in the darkness. Their secretive nature makes them hard to find, but their presence is a reminder of the rainforest’s hidden wonders.
Habitat and Behavior
In Costa Rica, margays live in dense rainforests and cloud forests, where the thick canopy provides cover and abundant prey. They are almost entirely arboreal, spending more time in the trees than any other wild cat in the country.
Margays are solitary and territorial, usually only meeting during the mating season. Females typically give birth to one kitten at a time, raising it alone until it can climb and hunt independently.
Where to See Margays in Costa Rica
Seeing a margay in the wild is rare, but visiting Costa Rica’s best-protected forests gives you the chance to walk through their habitat and discover the beauty of the places they call home. Guided tours in the following areas often bring you close to the world of margays:
Corcovado National Park, where dense jungle and abundant wildlife create the perfect home for secretive cats.
Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, where night hikes offer the chance to hear and sometimes glimpse elusive nocturnal animals.
La Fortuna: Safari Float on the Penas Blancas River a remote wilderness that shelters some of Costa Rica’s most hidden species.
Even if you do not spot a margay directly, exploring these parks with a guide gives you the chance to experience the rich ecosystem they depend on, from the frogs and birds they hunt to the towering trees they climb.
