How much do you know about Ocelots?
These wild cats are found from Texas down to Argentina.1 They are about twice the size of a normal house cat and they have a protected status in many areas where they live.2
They are able to share their territory with other big cats because they don’t compete with each other. So they can coexist alongside mountain lions and jaguars just fine (if you missed our blog on mountain lions, check it out!). They go after rabbits, fish, birds, monkeys, and more.1
Ocelots are nocturnal and pretty elusive. It’s uncommon to see them out during the day, although they may be sighted when it’s particularly overcast. They are very agile animals and are talented swimmers, climbers, and jumpers.1
They have beautiful fur and it’s made them a target for hunting. Within Texas, they’re considered endangered. However, globally, the IUCN lists them as Least Concern with decreasing population numbers.2
Other threats to them include human expansion and agriculture. These cats thrive in habitats where there is dense cover.1&3 Without it, they have a hard time surviving. Their predators include other big cats, anacondas, and harpy eagles.1
A great way to learn about a predator is to take a look at their prey...
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