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The '''ocelot''' (''Leopardus pardalis''), (from the [[Nahuatl]] "''ocelotl''") also known as the '''painted leopard''', '''McNenney's wildcat''' or '''manigordo''' (in Costa Rica), is a wild [[Felidae|cat]] distributed over [[South America|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 (about 20-33 pounds). While similar in appearance to the [[oncilla]] and the [[margay]], which inhabit the same region, the ocelot is larger.
The '''Ocelot''' (''Leopardus pardalis''), (from the [[Nahuatl]] "''ocelotl''") also known as the '''Painted Leopard''', '''McNenney's Wildcat''' or '''Manigordo''' (in Costa Rica), is a wild [[Felidae|cat]] distributed over [[South America|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 (about 20-33 pounds). While similar in appearance to the [[Oncilla]] and the [[Margay]], which inhabit the same region, the Ocelot is larger.


The ocelot is mostly [[nocturnal]] and very territorial. It will fight fiercely, sometimes to the death, in territorial disputes. Like most felines, it is solitary, usually meeting only to mate. However, during the day it rests in trees or other dense foliage, and will occasionally share its 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.
The Ocelot is mostly [[nocturnal]] and very territorial. It will fight fiercely, sometimes to the death, in territorial disputes. Like most felines, it is solitary, usually meeting only to mate. However, during the day it rests in trees or other dense foliage, and will occasionally share its 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 the ocelot is well equipped for an [[arboreal]] lifestyle, and will sometimes take to the trees, it is mostly terrestrial. Prey includes almost any small animal: [[New World monkey|monkeys]], [[snake]]s, [[rodent]]s, [[fish]], [[amphibian]]s and [[bird]]s 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 it follows and find prey via odour trails, but the ocelot also has very keen vision, including [[night vision]].
While the Ocelot is well equipped for an [[arboreal]] lifestyle, and will sometimes take to the trees, it is mostly terrestrial. Prey includes almost any small animal: [[New World monkey|monkeys]], [[snake]]s, [[rodent]]s, [[fish]], [[amphibian]]s and [[bird]]s 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 it follows and find prey via odour trails, but the Ocelot also has very keen vision, including [[night vision]].


[[Image:Ocelot 01.jpg|thumb|left|200px|The ocelot of [[Woodland Park Zoo]] in [[Seattle]], [[Washington]]]]
[[Image:Ocelot 01.jpg|thumb|left|200px|The ocelot of [[Woodland Park Zoo]] in [[Seattle]], [[Washington]]]]


The ocelot's physical appearance is similar to that of the domestic cat. Its [[fur]] resembles that of a [[jaguar]] and was once regarded as particularly valuable. As a result, hundreds of thousands of Ocelots have been killed for their fur. The feline was classified a "vulnerable" [[endangered species]] from the 1980s until 1996, but is now generally considered "least concern" by the 2006 [[IUCN Red List]]. The [[Texas Ocelot]] subspecies, ''Leopardus pardalis albescens'', is still classified as endangered as of the IUCN's 2006 red list.<ref name=iucn2>{{IUCN2006|assessors=Cat Specialist Group|year=2002|id=11517|title=Leopardus pardalis ssp. albescens|downloaded=12 May 2006}} Database entry includes justification for why this species is endangered</ref>
The Ocelot's physical appearance is similar to that of the domestic cat. Its [[fur]] resembles that of a [[Jaguar]] and was once regarded as particularly valuable. As a result, hundreds of thousands of Ocelots have been killed for their fur. The feline was classified a "vulnerable" [[endangered species]] from the 1980s until 1996, but is now generally considered "least concern" by the 2006 [[IUCN Red List]]. The [[Texas Ocelot]] subspecies, ''Leopardus pardalis albescens'', is still classified as endangered as of the IUCN's 2006 red list.<ref name=iucn2>{{IUCN2006|assessors=Cat Specialist Group|year=2002|id=11517|title=Leopardus pardalis ssp. albescens|downloaded=12 May 2006}} Database entry includes justification for why this species is endangered</ref>


The ocelot once inhabited the [[chaparral]] thickets of the Gulf coast in south and eastern Texas, and was found in Arizona. In the United States, it now ranges only in several small areas of dense thicket in South Texas. The ocelot's continued presence in the U.S. is questionable, due largely to the introduction of dogs, the loss of habitat, and the introduction of highways. Young male ocelots are frequently killed by cars during their search for a territory.
The Ocelot once inhabited the [[chaparral]] thickets of the Gulf coast in south and eastern Texas, and was found in Arizona. In the United States, it now ranges only in several small areas of dense thicket in South Texas. The Ocelot's continued presence in the U.S. is questionable, due largely to the introduction of dogs, the loss of habitat, and the introduction of highways. Young male Ocelots are frequently killed by cars during their search for a territory.


Like many wild cats, it is occasionally kept as a pet. [[Salvador Dalí]] frequently traveled with his pet ocelot, even bringing it aboard the luxury cruise liner [[SS France (1961)|SS France]].<ref>[http://www.flickr.com/photos/tartx/191120968/ Photo of silver optical piece with hand-cut collage of Dali, including picture of him with his Ocelot. ]</ref><ref>[http://www.ssmaritime.com/norway-Justin%20Huggler.htm Huggler, Justin; "Chic ship too toxic for scrapping" from ssmaritime.com]</ref>
Like many wild cats, it is occasionally kept as a pet. [[Salvador Dalí]] frequently traveled with his pet Ocelot, even bringing it aboard the luxury cruise liner [[SS France (1961)|SS France]].<ref>[http://www.flickr.com/photos/tartx/191120968/ Photo of silver optical piece with hand-cut collage of Dali, including picture of him with his Ocelot. ]</ref><ref>[http://www.ssmaritime.com/norway-Justin%20Huggler.htm Huggler, Justin; "Chic ship too toxic for scrapping" from ssmaritime.com]</ref>


== Subspecies ==
== Subspecies ==

Revision as of 18:17, 26 May 2007

Ocelot[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Chordata
Class:
Mammalia
Order:
Carnivora
Family:
Felidae
Genus:
Leopardus
Species:
L. pardalis
Binomial name
Leopardus pardalis
Ocelot range

The Ocelot (Leopardus pardalis), (from the Nahuatl "ocelotl") also known as the Painted Leopard, McNenney's Wildcat or Manigordo (in Costa Rica), 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 (about 20-33 pounds). While similar in appearance to the Oncilla and the Margay, which inhabit the same region, the Ocelot is larger.

The Ocelot is mostly nocturnal and very territorial. It will fight fiercely, sometimes to the death, in territorial disputes. Like most felines, it is solitary, usually meeting only to mate. However, during the day it rests in trees or other dense foliage, and will occasionally share its 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 the Ocelot is well equipped for an arboreal lifestyle, and will sometimes take to the trees, it is 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 it follows and find prey via odour trails, but the Ocelot also has very keen vision, including night vision.

The ocelot of Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle, Washington

The Ocelot's physical appearance is similar to that of the domestic cat. Its fur resembles that of a Jaguar and was once regarded as particularly valuable. As a result, hundreds of thousands of Ocelots have been killed for their fur. The feline was classified a "vulnerable" endangered species from the 1980s until 1996, but is now generally considered "least concern" by the 2006 IUCN Red List. The Texas Ocelot subspecies, Leopardus pardalis albescens, is still classified as endangered as of the IUCN's 2006 red list.[3]

The Ocelot once inhabited the chaparral thickets of the Gulf coast in south and eastern Texas, and was found in Arizona. In the United States, it now ranges only in several small areas of dense thicket in South Texas. The Ocelot's continued presence in the U.S. is questionable, due largely to the introduction of dogs, the loss of habitat, and the introduction of highways. Young male Ocelots are frequently killed by cars during their search for a territory.

Like many wild cats, it is occasionally kept as a pet. Salvador Dalí frequently traveled with his pet Ocelot, even bringing it aboard the luxury cruise liner SS France.[4][5]

Subspecies

The following are the currently recognized subspecies:[1]

References

  1. ^ a b Wozencraft, W. C. (2005). "Order Carnivora". In Wilson, D. E.; Reeder, D. M. (eds.). Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference (3rd ed.). Johns Hopkins University Press. p. 539. ISBN 978-0-8018-8221-0. OCLC 62265494.
  2. ^ Template:IUCN2006 Database entry includes justification for why this species is of least concern
  3. ^ Template:IUCN2006 Database entry includes justification for why this species is endangered
  4. ^ Photo of silver optical piece with hand-cut collage of Dali, including picture of him with his Ocelot.
  5. ^ Huggler, Justin; "Chic ship too toxic for scrapping" from ssmaritime.com
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Leopardus pardalis.
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