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Treasures of the Tropical Rainforest |
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Ocelot |
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Ocelots are endangered because their pelts have been used to make fur coats and their habitat has been cleared for farming. |
Ocelots are found in a wide range of habitats, in the Southwestern U.S. (Arizona and Texas), throughout Mexico and Central America, and in South America from northern Argentina and Paraguay to Ecuador. |
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The ocelot is grayish to cinnamon, with black markings forming streaks on the neck or elongated spots on the body.. Largest of the small spotted cats. It is from 36" to 40" long, it's tail is 12" to 20" long, and it is 18" tall. Ocelots weigh 25-35 pounds. Females are smaller. |
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Their spotted coats makes ocelots inconspicuous at night. It's very large eyes enable them to see well in dim light. Adult females travel about half as far during a night as adult males. |
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The Ocelot eats the most abundant prey available to it, usually rodents. but it can overpower -birds, monkeys, reptiles and frogs.The ocelot swims well! |
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Ocelots are thought to be faithful to mates. In the tropics, the breeding season is probably not fixed, but in more northern, drier habitats two offspring are born during autumn months in a rocky den or hollow log. The kittens are darker at birth but otherwise colored like their parents. They are blind at first, but have fur and are playful. |
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Capuchin Monkey |
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Capuchin
Monkey |