The small wild cat, the margay in Belize. Photo by: Rhett A. Butler.
Researchers have stumbled on a surprising talent of this small predatory cat: while studying the pied tamarin (a small Neotropical monkey), researchers observed a margay mimicking the cries of tamarin babies in order to bring its prey closer. While the ploy worked—the tamarins were very curious—the margay was unsuccessful in its hunt.
To read more about the margay’s surprising hunting style and how it might be used by other South American cats: With ‘psychological cunning’ wild cat lures monkeys by mimicking their babies’ calls.
