| Chagrin DeMorte |
 |
| Physical Characteristics |
| Ocelots are known for their beautiful coats. They have a short pelage that is marked with both black spots and rosettes. The base color ranges from tawny to reddish brown. Their ventral surfaces tend to be lighter or white in color.They have a single, white spot on the back of each ear and some white markings around their eyes and mouth. Two black lines run the length of either side of their face and the tail is marked with black bands. They weigh about 35lbs and are about 3ft in length with a 15" tail. |
| Food Habits |
| Ocelots prey upon many small to medium-sized mammals and birds. They will also eat amphibians, fish and reptiles. Known prey includes rabbits, rodents, pacarana, pacas, aqouti, young peccaries, monkeys, lesser anteaters, iquanas, tree lizard, frogs, crabs and small turtles. Ocelots pursue prey primarily on the ground. |
| Behavior |
| Primarily noctural cats, ocelots are generally solitary animals. Diurnal activity is documented but mainly during cool winter days or in areas subject to human disturbance. Ocelots hunting during the day are very secretive, keeping to areas dense brush or other heavy cover. Unlike the most of their feline family, ocelots love to swim. They tend to be solitary except when mating or in the case female with cubs. Ocelots are not known to have migatory patterns. Ocelot males confine themselves to a range of about 18 sq. km., while females inhabit smaller areas of about 11 sq. km. A male's home overlaps several females. |
| Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Carnivor Family: Felinae Genus: Leopardus Species: Leopardus Pardalis |
| Classification |
| Ocelot Facts |
|
|
| Reproduction |
| Minimum breeding age for females is 18 months, with the maximum breeding age around 13 years. Males mature at approximately 15 months, with a maximum of 15 years. In the tropics breeding takes place year round, especially September to November. Females enter estrus an average of every 4 to 6 months, and estrus lasts 7 to 10 days unless conceptions occurs (in which case the average is 5 days). Gestation period varies between 79 to 85 days. Litter sizes are small, usually only 1 or 2 young, with the rare occurances of 3. Females provide all of the care for their young. |