Ocelot
A species of American spotted cats Scientific name : Leopardus pardalis Genus : American spotted cats
Ocelot, A species of American spotted cats
Scientific name: Leopardus pardalis
Genus: American spotted cats
Content
Description General Info
Photo By RawheaD Rex , used under CC-BY-SA-2.0 /Cropped and compressed from original
Description
The ocelot (Leopardus pardalis) is a species of predator from the cat family (Felidae) living in Central and South America. He is the largest and most well-known representative of the leopard cat (Leopardus), a genus of smaller, spotted cats that is restricted to America.
General Info
Lifespan
12-17 years
Diet
Ocelot's primary food is small mammals, like rodents and hares. It also consumes birds, reptiles, eggs, and insects. In certain habitats, fish and crustaceans supplement its diet.
Appearance
Ocelot is a medium-sized cat with a slender body and short fur. The primary coloration is tawny-yellow with considerable variations, overlaid by dark rosettes or blotches in an open pattern. It has a long, ringed tail with a dark tip. There are no significant differences in appearance due to age or gender.
Behavior
Ocelot is a solitary, primarily nocturnal animal with excellent climbing abilities, enabling arboreal foraging and rest. It employs a mix of hunting techniques, including stalking and ambushing prey. Territory marking occurs through spraying urine or leaving fecal piles at prominent landmarks. A cryptic coloration helps with survival in diverse habitats. Notably, this species exhibits extensive diet flexibility based on local prey availability.
Population
Decreasing
Photo By RawheaD Rex , used under CC-BY-SA-2.0 /Cropped and compressed from original
Scientific Classification
Phylum
Chordates Class
Mammals Order
Carnivores Family
Cats Genus
American spotted cats Species
Ocelot