Margay

This jungle denizen appears as a large wild housecat with markings similar to a tiger.

Margay (CR 1)

Small Animal
Alignment: Neutral
Initiative: +3
Senses: superior low-light vision, Scent; Perception +10

Speed: 40 feet, Climb 30 feet
Space: 5 feet

Defense

Armor Class: 14, touch 14, flat-footed 11 (+3 Dex, +1 size)
Hit Points: 13 (2d8+4)
Saving Throws: Fort +5, Ref +6, Will +1

Offense

Melee: bite +5 (1d4+1 plus Grab), 2 claws +5 (1d3+1)
Reach: 5 feet

Special Attacks: Pounce, Rake (2 claws +5, 1d3+1)

Statistics

Str	Dex	Con	Int	Wis	Cha
13 (+1)	17 (+3)	15 (+2)	2 (-4)	12 (+1)	6 (-2)

Base Attack Bonus: +1
CMB +1 (+5 Grapple)
CMD 14 (18 vs. Trip)

Feats: Weapon Finesse

Skills: Acrobatics +11, Climb +15, Perception +10, Stealth +11

• Racial Modifiers: +8 Acrobatics, +4 Climb, +4 Perception, +4 Stealth. Margays use their Dexterity modifier for Climb checks.

Languages:

Special Abilities

Superior Low-Light Vision (Ex)

A margay can see three times as far as a human in starlight, moonlight, torchlight, and similar conditions of shadowy illumination. It retains the ability to distinguish color and detail under these conditions.

Ecology

Environment: Temperate or Warm Forests
Organization: solitary, pair or family (3-5)
Treasure: none


Margays are jungle-dwelling cats similar in makeup and build to the ocelot. They favor dense forests with thick foliage and spend their days basking in the sun or hunting for food. A margay's diet includes small mammals, birds, bird eggs, small reptiles and amphibians, and fruits and nuts. They are active during both the night and day, having no set hunting or feeding time.

Margays generally mate early in their life (usually within the first year) and gestation lasts about 80 days. Young are born live and a litter consists of one or two young. Young margays are dependent on their mother for about 8 weeks before being able to forage and hunt on their own.

A margay looks like a small, slender, spotted cat. Its fur ranges in color from tan to brown or cinnamon. Its spots are darker and run in longitudinal rows along its body. Margays generally average about two feet long and weigh about eight pounds.

Margays attack with stealth and surprise but avoid conflict with creatures much larger than themselves unless cornered. When engaged, they attempt to pounce upon their prey and wrap their claws around the victim's head, sinking their needle-like teeth into its throat.

Copyright Notice Author Scott Greene.