User:CinthiaChavez/Ocelot the big cat

Ocelot: A brief Introduction

Ocelot are wild big cats that are about three time the size of average house cats and resemble the Jaguar, they are classified as mid-level predators. Ocelot are solitary predators, meaning they hunt alone generally at night, looking for small rodents are lizards. They reside in the Jungle region in the southwestern United States and South America and can be found prowling the jungle floors at night in search of prey.

Ocelot in Marwell Zoo in England

Appearance

The Ocelot can grow anywhere from 65 to 100 cm, have a tail length of about 45 cm, and weigh in at 12km on average, making it much larger than the domesticated house cat. Their eyes allow Ocelot to see at night and hunt under the cover of night, making them adept predators to small rodent. They have a dark brown and white body consisting of black spots covering the body, similar to a jaguar's body makeup. An ocelot's face resembles that of a house cat more with their eyes being larger that their bigger cousins.

Diets

The Ocelot is usually a solitary hunter, meaning it likes to stalk its prey alone and capture it alone during the night. They tend to hunt small rodent such as rats, mice, and rabbits, however they have also been known to hunt small birds and snakes as well.

Habitat

The Ocelot can be found living anywhere from the deep south of the United States all throughout central and South America except for Chile. In the United States reside in south Texas with individuals occasionally entering Arizona by way of Mexico. The Ocelot will typically remain in low elevated areas and stick to densely grown jungles and forests, as to help aid in its sneaky and stealthy hunting habits.

Population Trend

Ocelot Pelt

Between the 1960s and 70s Ocelot were hunted for its coat with as many as 200,000 being taken every year for trade, however since then there has been legal action and many laws put in place to preserve wildlife. The much larger threat of habitat extensions are all to real for the Ocelot with many forests being cleared resulting in the Ocelot loosing the cover of the forest and as such its hunting ability. The Ocelot continues to be the most abundant cat species in its geographic region, however with the cats reproductive issues as well as losing of dense foliage and plant cover might result in a decrease in future Ocelot population. The Ocelot is classified having a status of "least concern" meaning in terms of being endangered of in danger of becoming extinct the Ocelot is of the lowest concern on the list, however the noticeable trend of Ocelot population is decreasing.

Mating

Ocelots and polygamous in nature meaning that one male will serve as protector to several different females and offspring, during the mating cycle female Ocelot will attract a mate by producing loud meows or yowls similar to domesticated house cats. Once pairs are formed the Ocelot will mate about 5 to 10 times per day with the likelihood of a female becoming pregnant at only .6 while mating lasts for roughly 5 days. Once pregnant the female will create a den and the cycle of gestations lasts for 79 to 85 days and litters can range anywhere from 1 to 3 kittens.

Kittens

Ocelot Kitten

Baby Ocelot are called kittens and can weigh from 7 to 12 ounce, they are born like most acts with their eyes sealed and gain their first glimpse of their mother after 14 days. Kittens are weaned, taken off the mothers milk and begin to eat their own food, around 6 weeks old. Kittens will live with their mothers until the age of up to 2 years until they venture out on their own to begin their own families. Female Ocelot reach sexual reproductivity at 18 to 22 months old and males become mature at 15 months, and have a life span of around 13 years.

Ocelot as Pets

Ocelot were popular as pets in the United States in the 1950s and 60s. Although they are not endangered and can be kept as pets they do require much more handling care than even other wild cats. The Ocelot will mark its territory by spraying either fecal matter which begins as early as 6 weeks old. In regards to caging the Ocelot enclosure must be thick enough so the Ocelot does not bite through, its jaws having more power than a pit-bull, with a secure floor and roof to prevent climbing and digging out.

Artist Salvador Dhali owned an Ocelot named Babou

Cultural Impact

The Television series Archer features an Ocelot named Babou owned by one of the female characters, Cheryl.