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Ocelot |
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From in the middle of southern Texas to all the way down in Paraguay, you would be lucky to spot an ocelot. If you look in dense, thorny, low brush areas you might just spot one. The ocelot's beautiful habitat is spread out on a 1-4 square mile piece of land. Ocelots are also nocturnal creatures so they mostly hunt at night. Many small rodents and birds will live as prey for the ocelot. Other small animals such as lizards and rabbits are also prey for the ocelot. Their worst enemy is man because they have destroyed the ocelot's land. Did you know that small cats can't roar but can consistently purr? Ocelots are considered small cats because they are only one foot taller than a regular house cat. Ranchers enjoy seeing ocelots on their property because it's great to see a beautiful creature on their land. Ocelots have been bread with a house cat to create the ocelot. Ocelots are also know as Painted Leopards. The ocelot is endangered for two reasons. One is because their habitat was destroyed to build houses and roads. The other reason is that it is hunted for it's coat. No two ocelots have the same coat that is why the are hunted. Ocelots are kept captive so they can be bread to prevent extinction. Researchers are using genetic markers so that new ocelots can be born. |