These Wildcats Need the Forest to Survive

This little old lady is Button, a 21-year-old margay at the Santa Ana Zoo. Native to the dense forests of Central and South America, these wildcats are tree-dwelling creatures whose wide feet and flexible toes allow them to climb, jump and hang from branches. As they rely on trees for survival, margays are extremely sensitive to deforestation. The illegal fur and pet trade have also made these wildcats a near threatened species. The best hope for their continued survival is to preserve their natural forest habitats. SUBSCRIBE: This story is a part of our Planet Earth series. From mammals to insects and birds to reptiles, we share this great big world with all manner of creatures, large and small. Come with us to faraway places as we explore our great big planet and meet some of its wildest inhabitants. Got a story idea for us? Shoot us an email at hey [at] GreatBigStory [dot] com Follow us behind the scenes on Instagram: Make our acqua