Brazilian Ocelot
Leopardus pardalis mitis
WILD STATUS
Endangered
Endangered
DISTRIBUTION
Brazilian Ocelots are found in every country south of Canada, except Chile. The northernmost extent of their range runs through New Mexico, Arizona and Texas.
SIZE
Can weigh up to 11 kg (25lbs.).
Height at shoulder 41-51 cm (16"-20")
HABITAT
Ocelots inhabit a wide variety of habitats from spare cover to dense bush. They may also be found in marshy areas and around reed beds. They are good swimmers.
REPRODUCTION
1 or 2 kittens are born in a den in a small cave or hollow log. Gestation period is about 79-85 days. The father may assist in rearing the kittens by bringing food to the den.
DIET
Most of their hunting is done at dawn and dusk. Prey is mostly chased and caught on the ground or in the trees. Food consists of birds, rodents, agoutis and hares. They will also consume porcupines, reptiles and young peccaries.
1 or 2 kittens are born in a den in a small cave or hollow log. Gestation period is about 79-85 days. The father may assist in rearing the kittens by bringing food to the den.
DIET
Most of their hunting is done at dawn and dusk. Prey is mostly chased and caught on the ground or in the trees. Food consists of birds, rodents, agoutis and hares. They will also consume porcupines, reptiles and young peccaries.
WORLD CAPTIVE POPULATION
The November 2001 ISIS report (International Species Identification System) lists 6 institutions world-wide housing 10 Ocelot of this subspecies in captivity.
The November 2001 ISIS report (International Species Identification System) lists 6 institutions world-wide housing 10 Ocelot of this subspecies in captivity.
INTERESTING TIDBITS
- They are excellent swimmers and climbers
- Their eyesight is 6 times better than ours
- Ocelots have been exploited in the wild by the pet trade, with the usual method of capture being to kill the mother to obtain the kittens. These kittens can be purchased in the marktes of Central and South America for sale to tourists.
- In Texas, where a small remnant of population lives, a major threat is the automobile. Patches of suitable habitat have been broken up by highways and Ocelots are frequently hit by cars. Efforts are underway to provide wildlife corridors.
- They are and have been very popular in the pet trade. However, they do not make ideal pets and are often turned over to zoos. Unknown background of pet stock makes them unsuitable for breeding programs. In addition, many pets have been declawed or neutered. These animals are only useful for zoos as educational cats. They are still being sold for pets in North America.
- During the 1970's and 1980's, the ocelot population was decimated by the fur trade with hundreds of thousands of animals taken. Strict controls have since been implemented and numbers killed have dropped, although some are still taken illegally.
HABITAT RANGE
ANIMAL FACT SHEET
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