The Wildcat "Ocelot" (Leopardus pardalis)

Ocelot "Leopardus pardalis"



Type: Dog
Age: Adult
Size: Large

The ocelot (Leopardus pardalis),
also known as painted leopard, tigrillo or McNenney's wildcat, is a wild cat distributed over South and Central America and Mexico, but has been reported as far north as Texas and in Trinidad, in the Caribbean. It can be up to 100 cm (3'2") in length, plus 45 cm (1'6") tail length, and weighs 10-15 kg [IMG](about 20-33 pounds). While similar in appearance to the oncilla and the margay, who inhabit the same region, the ocelot is larger. It should be noted that ocelots are often called "tigrillo" in Mexico. This word, which means little tiger, is also used to describe margays, and should not be used when trying to speak of one determinated species.

The ocelot is mostly nocturnal and very territorial. They will fight fiercely, sometimes to the death, in territorial disputes. 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 ocelot of the same gender. When mating, the female will find a den in a cave in a rocky bluff, a hollow tree, or a dense (preferably thorny) thicket. The gestation period is estimated to be 70 days. Generally the female will have 2-4 kittens, born in the autumn with their eyes closed and a thin covering of hair.

While ocelots are well equipped for an arboreal lifestyle, and will sometimes take to the trees, they are mostly terrestrial. Prey includes almost any small animal: monkeys, snakes, rodents, fish, amphibians and birds are common prey, as are small domestic animals such as baby pigs and poultry. Almost all of the prey that the ocelot hunts is far smaller than itself. Studies suggest that they follow and find prey via odour trails, but ocelots also have very keen vision, including night vision.

They are occasionally kept as pets.