World Geoffroy’s Cat Day
These felines, small and elusive, roam the South American wilderness, displaying remarkable adaptability in their natural habitat.
Feline lovers, wildlife supporters and conservationists alike can get involved with this day that features a compelling, at-risk creature from South America. It’s time for World Geoffroy’s Cat Day!
History of World Geoffroy’s Cat Day
Named after a French naturalist from the 19th century, Geoffroy’s cats are small, mostly nocturnal felines native to South America. This little cat is about the size of a housecat, and the face is similar to a domestic cat, but its spots and bands give it an appearance similar to that of a leopard. Black rings on the tail bring distinction to this breed, but the color of the fur might vary based on the region of South America the cat lives in.
In the mid-20th century, these cats were hunted for their pelts but in the late 1980s legislation to protect Geoffroy’s cat species was enacted throughout Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay, and Uruguay. While the cat still sits on the IUCN Red List, thankfully, its populations have increased over recent years allowing it to be placed on the Least Concern portion of the list.
World Geoffroy’s Cat Day is here to raise awareness about and show appreciation for this unique wild feline species, and the continued need for protection from threats.
How to Celebrate World Geoffroy’s Cat Day
Show some love and affection for this compelling and curious species of cat by getting involved with some of these ideas on World Geoffroy’s Cat Day:
Learn More About Geoffroy’s Cats
Many people are unaware of the intriguing and fascinating features this cat brings to the world. A great way to get more involved with World Geoffroy’s Cat Day would be to gain some knowledge and then share it with friends, coworkers, family members and more.
In celebration of the day, consider some of these interesting facts and then do some more online research to get educated and share about the plight of Geoffroy’s cats:
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Geoffroy’s cats are widely dispersed and are known to live and hunt over a distance of more than 100 km.
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Unlike most cats who tend to avoid water, Geoffroy’s cats are strong swimmers who tend to get in the water on a regular basis, even in fast flowing rivers that are very wide.
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Many cats of this species are arboreal, meaning that they spend much of their lives climbing and living in the trees, with agile movements that help them even scale the undersides of tree branches.
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Geoffroy’s cats are hunters, feeding on small animals such as rodents, hares and tree porcupines, or even birds and reptiles.
Support the Cause
Because Geoffroy’s cats remain on the Red List for the IUCN, some people might want to help some of the conservation efforts by making a donation on their behalf. In honor of World Geoffroy’s Cat Day, check out a few non-profit organizations that are involved with this feline species, such as the Feline Conservation Foundation.
Those who want to support this cause and also get some merch to raise awareness might want to order a t-shirt or chocolates that will go to help the cats through the Geoffroy’s Cat Day organization.
