Texas
Ocelot
(Leopardus
pardalis albescens)
Description and Life Expectancy - The Texas ocelot is a small wild cat that looks somewhat like a miniature leopard. It has brown spots and patches that border in black. Its spots come in many different patterns such as slashes, speckles, rosettes and bars. It has big eyes and a long tail. They are about twice the size of a regular house cat. The life expectancy of a Texas ocelot is about 10-13 years.
Habitat- Their habitats may be found in Mexico and Texas. The Texas ocelot makes its home in forested areas and in dense chaparral. It is found in very diverse habitats including rain forests, thick brush, and along riverbanks. The Texas ocelot prefers elevated terrain.
Diet - Texas ocelots are carnivores. They prey on
rodents, monkeys, frogs and small turtles. When hunting larger prey such as
deer, they choose the juvenile. They are known to hunt livestock and domestic
dogs, however, they rarely hunt for large prey. They do most of their hunting
at night.
Social Life - The Texas ocelot is solitary and territorial. Females defend their territory, which can be as large as 9 square miles. Meanwhile, the male’s territory is larger and can overlap that of one or more females. Generally nocturnal, they will sleep all day on a branch, in a hollow log, or in dense vegetation. They climb and swim very well.
Mating Habits - Texas
ocelots’ mating season is from early September to late November. They
communicate by using scent markings that tell the male when the female is ready
for mating, and by vocal communication such as meows and yowls. About 70 days
after mating, the female gives birth to one or two kittens.
Conservation - The
Texas ocelot was hunted for its pelt for many years. In one year 140,000 pelts
were imported into the United States. Young ocelots were brought here for pets
also. There are only 120 Texas ocelots still living in the United States today.
Now law is protecting ocelots. This means that ocelots will not be shot or kept
as pets anymore. Scientists are studying the genetics of the population in the
USA. They are also using radio collars to track their movements. Some are being
bred in captivity and hope to be released into the wild.
Resources-
www.EnchantedLearning.com,
http://www.bigcatrescue.org/ocelot.htm,
http:/www.catsurvivaltrust.org/ocelot.htm,
http:/www.nhptv.org/natureworks/ocelot.htm,
http://www.ckwri.tamuk.edu/feline/ocelot.htm
http://recearch.bioligy.arizona.edu/mosquito/willot/323/project/endcats/Ocelot.html