The Ocelot

Description and Ecology           The Leopardus pardalis, more commonly known as the Ocelot is a wild feline about twice the size of your average house cat. They tend to weigh between 18 and 34 pounds and have fine, luxurious fur. Their colors vary from creamy tan to tawny yellow, and even an orangey grey. Ocelots have blotched fur with dark spots bordered with black, similar to a leopard. These spots run about their body in a chain-like style. Typically, they have dark black stripes running from their inner eyes to top of their head, stripes across their cheeks, and two transverse bars on the insides of their forelegs.          Ocelots are nocturnal and use their keen sight and follow scent trails to hunt rabbits, rodents, iguanas, fish, and even frogs. These beautiful cats have pointed fangs used to deliver killer bites, and sharp molars for tearing apart their food in which they eat whole. Unlike cats we are familiar with, the O...

Geographic and Population Changes           Ocelots have been found in Arizona, Texas, and throughout Mexico. In the 1800’s, the ocelot was found throughout Arkansas, Louisiana and Arizona. The locations ocelots are currently found is displayed in the green areas of the map below. These cats prefer leafy canopies of South American rain forests while they also inhabit tropical forests, thorn forests, mangrove swamps and brush lands. In recent years, the cats have also been seen adapting to human habitats and seen in villages and small towns.           Female ocelot territories rarely overlap, whereas the male territory often includes the territory of up to three females. The cats secure their territory with urine and scent markings. Social interaction between sexes is minimal outside of the mating season.

Listing Date and Type of Listing   Ocelots were listed as endangered on March 28 of 1972 under the authority of Endangered Species Conservation Act of 1969. The species has a recovery priority number of 5C. This means ocelots have a high degree of threat, low potential for recovery, and a high degree of conflict with urban development. Here is a video with more information on Ocelots.

Habitat Destruction   In the late 1900’s, over 90% of the ocelots habitat was altered for agricultural and urban development. The “Green Revolution” in northern Mexico was the period of conversion of much of the natural landscape to agricultural production, which cleared 95% of Ocelot habitat in the area. In locations such as Texas, rapid urban development caused further land and habitat fragmentation, and decreased opportunities of habitat restoration. Currently, habitat in Arizona is being threatened as mining is becoming more prevalent. Over-utilization   In the 1960’s ocelots were imported to the states for the pet trade and were heavily exploited, primarily by the fashion industry, for their pelts. Over 140,000 skins were documented by U.S. Customs officials. Disease or Predation As habitat fragmentation increases in the ocelots habitat, the cats are coming in contact with more animals such as bobcats, coyotes and even livestock....

Description of the Ocelot Recovery Plan The main Recovery Objectives include:           1. Assess, protect, and restore adequate habitat in both the United States and Mexico.           2.  Decrease human effects on the environment including developing on ocelot habitat.           3. Improve the genetic fitness, demographic conditions, and health status of ocelot populations.           4. Establish ocelot conservation efforts through partnerships.           5. Develop incentives for landowners and public education outreach.           6. Monitor recovery and adapt recovery plan as new information arises.           7. Support international efforts to improve the status of ocelots. The recovery plan for ocelots is centered around increasing habitat through habitat restoration. The first st...

How to Help Your actions could help speed up the recovery plan by pushing organizations to help restore ocelot habitat. People can send letters to government leaders provoking them to regulate the recovery of ocelot populations. Spreading awareness of the declining ocelot population by posting your thoughts on social media to encourage others to get engaged!           You also can become a powerful advocate for wildlife in your community and join wildlife conservation groups. You can find more information on how to send a letter on the World Wildlife Fund Website.  They will walk you through the steps!           Donations are also a great way to help fund conservation efforts. The IUCN is a great organization to donate to and can be found here.

Videos and Resources Here is a cute video of Ocelot kittens. Here is an informative video of Ocelots in the wild. What Sources Did I Use? Cute Baby Ocelot Kittens . (2016). [video] Funny Cat and Cute Kittens. Ecos.fws.gov. (2019).  Species Profile for ocelot (Leopardus (=felis) pardalis) . [online] Available at: https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp0/profile/speciesProfile?spcode=A084 [Accessed 11 Feb. 2019]. En.wikipedia.org. (2019).  Ocelot . [online] Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ocelot [Accessed 11 Feb. 2019]. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. (2019).  The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . [online] Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/11509/97212355 [Accessed 11 Feb. 2019]. National Geographic. (2019).  Ocelot . [online] Available at: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/o/ocelot/ [Accessed 11 Feb. 2019]. Ocelot (Leopardus Pardalis) [Endangered] . (2011). [video] A-Z Animals. United States Fish and Wildl...