Ocelot

Ocelots are similar in size to bobcats. Female ocelots weigh 14.5 to 25 pounds, while male ocelots are heavier, weighing 15 to 34 pounds. Ocelots are typically 29 to 39 inches in length, with males slightly longer than females. Their tails are 10 to 16 inches long. Ocelots are members of the cat family. They are medium-sized cats with beautiful fur coats that resemble that of a jaguar or leopard. Their coats are covered with a pattern of rosettes, stripes and spots. Over most of their body, their fur is golden with black or dark brown doughnut-shaped spots that are tan in the middle. Their belly is typically cream or white. Like other small cat species, they have strong vision and hearing. They are well-adapted for their nocturnal behavior, as their eyes have a layer that reflects light, giving them excellent night vision. Their ears are round and marked with a bright white spot. Their sense of smell is much better than humans but it is not as keen as a dog’s sense of smell. They have long whiskers, which help them feel their way around. Ocelots mainly consume small rodents. Though their diet also includes birds, snakes, lizards, baby peccaries, young deer, rabbits, and even fish and crabs. They are nocturnal and typically hunt at night. Ocelots both actively look for prey while on the move or wait for prey to appear. While ocelots spend most of their time on the ground, they are strong swimmers and climbers. Ocelots prefer to live in areas with dense forest cover and water sources. Some of their habitats include tropical forests, mangrove swamps and savannas. These cats prefer habitats with good availability of prey and water.
Category:Carnivores
Category:Cats
Category:Mexican Animals
Category:Endangered Species
Category:Texas Animals
Category:Central American Animals
Category:American Animals