Ocelot fact and information – scientific classification
Kingdom:      Animalia
Phylum:         Chordata
Class:            Mammalia
Order:           Carnivora
Family:          Felidae
Genus:           Leopardus
Species:         Leopardus pardalis

Ocelot facts and information – list of subspecies
The northern Andes:                                Leopardus pardalis aequatorialis
Mexico and United States (Texas):          Leopardus pardalis albescens
Guyana, Trinidad and Venezuela:           Leopardus pardalis maripensis
Central America:                                      Leopardus pardalis mearnsi
Argentina and Paraguay:                          Leopardus pardalis mitis
Mexico:                                                    Leopardus pardalis nelsoni
Amazon basin:                                          Leopardus pardalis pardalis
Colombia:                                                 Leopardus pardalis pseudopardalis
Ecuador:                                                   Leopardus pardalis puseaus
Mexico:                                                    Leopardus pardalis sonoriensis
Bolivia:                                                     Leopardus pardalis steinbachi

Ocelot facts and information – graphical range and habitat
Ocelots can be found in South America, Central America and North America. They inhabit a region that stretches from Argentina to the south up to Arizona and Texas at the North American continent.

Wild Ocelots inhabit a wide range of different habitats. In the Amazon basin, they are for instance found in the humid tropical jungle, while Mexican Ocelots can be found in semiarid environments. They dislike regions where they are no dense cover vegetation. Dense thorny chaparral, savannas, and dry shrub are however enough to support an Ocelot population. Since the Ocelot is a skilled swimmer that happily feed on fish and amphibians, it is also found in swamp forests, coastal areas and mangrove.

The height range for the Ocelot varies from coastal regions up to 3,800 meters above sea level in the Bolivian Andes. 

Ocelot fact and information – description
The underlying body color of the Ocelot varies depending on habitat. Ocelots living in densely grown jungles will benefit from a darker coloration, while those inhabiting thorny chaparral tend to have a more sandy main color. All Ocelots are decorated with dark dots, streaks and lines. The belly is white and can sometimes have a few spots. The tail is quite short and can have dark bands at the top. The eyes are big and give the Ocelot keen eyesight, since the nocturnal Ocelot must be able to hunt even when light are scarce. The ears are rounded.

Ocelot fact and information – size
The Ocelot can reach of length of 92-144 centimeters (37-58 inches) and weigh from 8 to 12 kg (17 to 26 lbs). The typical height is 40 - 50 centimeters (16-20 inches). Females are usually smaller than male Ocelots.

Ocelot fact and information – diet
The Ocelot is a skilled predator and opportunistic feeder that will include a wide range of different animals in its diet. It will not attack animals of its own size, and prefer prey that is considerably smaller – such as rodents, birds and smaller amphibians. It will also commonly feed on monkeys and fish, depending on habitat.

Ocelot facts and information – the Texas population
Estimations show that there are currently no more than 100 wild Ocelots in Texas, and they consist of small, isolated populations. Habitat loss and illegal hunting is of course a problem, but cars and highway constructions are actually even more dangerous for the remaining Ocelots. As the young Ocelots mature, they must leave their mother and try to find their own territory. Since suitable habitats only exists in the form of widely spaced patches of land, intersected by roads and humans settlements, the young Ocelot is forced to cross several roads during its journey. A high amount of young Ocelots are killed before they manage to reach a suitable habitat and start reproducing. Wildlife researchers are working on a project where the main idea is to create safe corridors between the different habitats, thereby providing the Ocelots with a possibility to reach new land without having to risk being overrun by cars. The situation for the U.S. Ocelots can also be improved by the creation of more suitable habitats; especially by turning open areas into more densely grown habitats.

More info on big and small wild cats:

Bengal Tigers
White Bengal Tigers
Royal Bengal Tigers
Bengal Tigers Facts
Jaguar Animal - Jaguar Cats
Black Jaguar (Animal)
Jaguar Animal Facts
Ocelot - Ocelot cat
Siberian Tiger
White Siberian Tiger
Siberian Tiger Habitat
Siberian Tiger Fact
Siberian Tiger Information
Snow Leopard
Snow Leopard Habitat
Snow Leopard Fact
Endangered Snow Leopard
White Tigers
White Bengal Tigers
White Siberian Tigers
Baby White Tigers