Ocelot

Ocelot:

The Ocelot (Leopardus pardalis, or Felis pardalis) is a wild cat distributed over South and Central America and Mexico.

Its northernmost occurrence is Texas. It also occurs on the island of Trinidad in the West Indies.

Very little is known about these wild oats, even though they are popular as pets in North America. The Moche people of ancient Peru worshipped animals and often depicted these cats in their art.

It is up to 100 cm (3'2") in length, plus 45 cm (1'6") tail length. While similar in appearance to the Oncilla and the Margay, who inhabit the same region, they are larger. The name of the animal derives from Nahuatl ocelotl.

An Ocelot Kitten

Being nocturnal and very territorial. Like most felines, they are solitary, usually meeting only to mate.

 However, during the day they rest in trees or other dense foliage, and will occasionally share their spot with another of the same gender.

They will spend the day asleep on a branch, in a hollow tree.

They are encountered during the day and they often follow man-made paths, but they shun human habitation. Primarily terrestrial they climb and swim very well.

While they are well equipped to an arboreal lifestyle, and will sometimes take to the trees.

Prey includes monkeys, snakes, rodents and birds. Almost all of the prey that they hunt is far smaller than it is.

They are also known to raid domestic poultry. Like most cats, they are expert bird pluckers, removing most feathers before eating their catch.

Most have two basic prey catching strategies: the “Hunting walk”, where the cat moves slowly, espies prey, stops, stalks and then pounces and; the “Sit-and-wait” the ocelot may sit for 30 minutes or more than an hour. If unsuccessful in the latter strategy, they will quickly move elsewhere to sit and wait.

Studies suggest that they follow and find prey via odour trails, but these cats also have very keen vision.

Their fur resembles that of a Jaguar; it was once regarded as particularly valuable, and because it was so popular they remain one of the best known of the small wildcats.

        Their Range

Several hundreds of thousands were killed for their fur; therefore this cat is now an endangered species in many countries, although the IUCN lists them as "Least Concern".

Home ranges of males have been measured at 1.2 to 18 km2, those of females at 0.8 to 15 km2. Boundaries of these areas are delineated by various indicators.

They scent mark by spraying urine, and they leave faeces in prominent places. Leaving visual signs by raking the ground with their hind feet.

Pairs have been observed to mark and defecate in the same places, but to hunt alone. Their associations which last for a day or two are known. Most appear to be for mating, but others for different purposes.

 



 

 Return from Ocelot to Subject Study