Kodkod Kodkod The kodkod ("Leopardus guigna") (), also called güiña, is the smallest cat in the Americas. It lives primarily in central and southern Chile and marginally in adjoining areas of Argentina. Its area of distribution is small compared to the other South American cats. Since 2002, it has been listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List as the total effective population may comprise less than 10,000 mature individuals, and is threatened due to persecution and loss of habitat and prey base. The kodkod has a small head, large feet, and a thick tail. Typical adult length is , with
Kodkod is one to three kittens. This species may live to be about 11 years old. The major threat to the kodkod is logging of its temperate moist forest habitat, and the spread of pine forest plantations and agriculture, particularly in central Chile. In 1997 to 1998, two out of five radio-collared kodkods were killed on Chiloé Island while raiding chicken coops. Two subspecies are recognized: The kodkod was formerly considered a member of the genus "Oncifelis", which consisted of three small feline species native to South America. All of these species have been moved into the genus "Leopardus". Along with