Use and characterization of latrines of pampas cat Leopardus colocolo (Molina, 1782) in the altiplano of the I Region of Tarapacá, Chile

Abstract

Between April and July of 2017, the activity of Leopardus colocolo (pampas cat) was recorded by camera trap, in a latrine located near of the "Salar de Coposa", in the altiplano of the Region of Tarapacá. Two more latrines with feces of Leopardus spp. were detected, located 1.8 and 3.8 kilometers away from the first latrine described, in which it was not possible to register to what species they belonged. The geomorphology in which the latrines were found, corresponded to ravine bottoms or steep slopes, located between 3.907 and 4.002 m.a.s.l. Evaluating the dimen­sions of each one, it was detected a depth between 100 to 140 cm, a height between 20 to 48 cm, and a width between 25 to 107 cm. Finally, the analysis of the feces found in the three latrines shows five prey species: Abrocoma cinerea, Abrothrix andina, Ctenomys fulvus, Lagidium viscacia and Phyllotis xanthopygus.