EnglishNative to America—particularly the US-Mexico land borders and southern Argentina—ocelots are shy and elusive wildcats that are facing threats due to the disturbance of their habitats.
The Paso Pacifico team is working with local communities and landowners in Central and South America to secure core habitats. We believe giving them an optimal place to hunt, reproduce, and rear their offspring requires an integrative approach.
Various factors contribute to the fragmentation of ocelot natural habitats. As a result, their numbers are declining. Before we discuss their threats, let’s first understand these awesome wildcats and where they live.
Wildcat Wonder
Here are some interesting facts about the ocelot, otherwise known as the Leopardus pardalis.
“Dwarf Leopards”
Ocelots’ spotted coats and wildcat-like appearances are similar to leopards but ocelots are smaller. They are only twice as large as a regular house cat. Their closest relative is the margay (Leopardus wiedii) which they resemble though they are still visibly smaller.
The average ocelot size ranges from 16 to 19 inches at the shoulders and their weights are between 15.4 and 34 lbs. Despite their modest size, they have superior agility and eyesight, making them able hunters in the animal kingdom.
They Have a Diverse Diet
They are carnivores and skilled hunters, pouncing on various prey from fish to birds and other land animals in between like small mammals, rabbits, lizards, and rodents. They have fangs and sharp rear teeth that allow them to tear and swallow their food whole instead of chewing them down.
Ocelots Can Climb and Swim
Ocelots are capable of climbing trees and navigating through waters for food. Their webbed feet and strong auditory senses allow them to swim comfortably while hearing sound waves and catching fish with ease.
These Animals Are Nocturnal, Solitary Creatures
Ocelots are nocturnal and elusive. They prefer living alone except when they’re mating and rearing offspring. While some can be found in villages or towns, their populations thrive in dense forests and shrublands, making their territories to protect them. They live about 7 to 10 years.
Ocelots Were Depicted in Aztec Culture
Ocelots figure in many ancient Aztec cultures and arts. They were even revered for their hunting ability and physical attributes.
Each Has a Unique Coat Pattern
Each ocelot has its own unique rosette coat pattern and long-ringed tail. Unfortunately, their exquisite fine fur makes them a target for hunters who sell their furs in the black market as fashion and accessories.
Ocelot and the Jaguarundi
Like ocelots, jaguarundis are native to southern Texas, and Central and South America. They are also endangered. Both occupy grasslands, dry scrub, swamp and savannah woodland, and dense forests.
Jaguarundis or Herpailurus yaguarondi have small flat heads, slender elongated bodies, and short legs. They have long, tapered tails and short, uniform-colored coats that come in three shades: black, brownish gray, and reddish brown. Their eyes are small and closely set.
One interesting fact about jaguarundis is their special ability to make thirteen distinct sounds when they communicate. They can whistle and even chirp like a bird.
Compared to ocelots, jaguarundis are smaller at 7.7 to 20 lbs. Because of their shared preference for forest edges, jaguarundis are forced out of protected areas whenever ocelots inhabit them for fear of falling prey to the bigger wildcat.
Unlike the nocturnal ocelots, jaguarundis are active during the day, making them more visible than other nocturnal wildcats. They can usually be seen foraging in pairs. They eat small mammals, birds, and reptiles but also feed on fallen fruits.
What the Ocelot Habitat Map Looks Like
The ocelot native habitat encompasses the rainforests of Central and South America. These include mangroves, tropical forests, marshes, and even thorn scrub lands in arid and semi-arid regions.
They are considered endangered in the U.S. due to their dwindling numbers. Their population in Texas is particularly small with only 80 to 120 ocelots remaining.
There are more ocelots in southern Mexico, northern Argentina, and other parts of Central America but their habitat needs to be proactively conserved to prevent them from disappearing.
Their survival relies on the preservation of canopy covers and lands as they depend on them for hunting, protection, denning, mating, and raising their young.
Reasons for Ocelot Population Decline
The decline in the ocelot population is rooted in the fragmentation of their native habitats.
Habitat Fragmentation and Destruction
According to a university thesis, the biggest threat to ocelots is habitat destruction. Large dense forests in South America are being converted into cropland and pastures.
Areas that are left can become so fragmented that even small patches are unable to sustain their long-term survival. Ocelots are then forced to disperse and move towards unprotected areas, further threatening their existence.
Starvation
Due to habitat fragmentation, ocelots are less capable of hunting for food. They also have to compete with humans hunting prey like rabbits and birds, leading to a reduction in food sources.
Diseases
With less sustenance, ocelots become prone to illnesses. Disease outbreaks among ocelots and their prey also results in early death.
Road Accidents
Forced out of fragmented forest patches due to the insufficiency of food sources, ocelots pass through roads and accidentally get hit by vehicles.
Inbreeding
Because of their fragmented habitat, ocelots are prone to inbreeding which reduces their genetic diversity. This results in a weaker genetic pool compared to interbreeding.
Recovery Efforts
Various wildlife and environmental conservation organizations, including local landowners, have tried to address the diminishing population of ocelots. Some of the measures undertaken include:
Education
Organizations are conducting research and offering education to local communities about the needs of ocelots. This includes studying and disseminating information about land management options, their biology, and behaviors. Once people understand the urgency of the situation and how they can help, they become better positioned to protect these creatures and their native environments.
At Paso Pacifico, our Junior Rangers Program teaches children ages 8 to 13 the principles of biology, ecology, and environmental citizenship through classroom training, experiential field trips, and community service projects. It is important to raise a young generation that knows the importance of safeguarding wildlife habitats and biodiversity.
Revegetation
Re-greening previously cleared habitats like rainforests and shrub lands helps rebuild a protected environment where free ranging ocelots can safely roam and multiply. By planting native trees and shrubs to build wildlife corridors that connect fragmented forests and scrub land patches, we are able to provide them with an environment conducive to their natural way of life.
Government Policies
Governments should be encouraged to adopt policies that preserve ocelot populations and the places where they live. This entails introducing legislation that regulates the fur trade, prohibiting them from being sold as pets, and implementing sanctions when their habitats are destroyed.
Protect Ocelot Habitats With Paso Pacifico
Paso Pacifico enacts integrative, sustainable and long-term solutions that consider the ecological, economic, and social aspects of ocelot habitat degradation. By educating and involving local communities, our mission becomes a shared responsibility that reaps better and more widespread results.
Our commitment to restore and protect the Pacific Slope ecosystems of Mesoamerica is essentially a community-based approach that addresses the growing problems of wildlife habitat degradation. You can help us build new wildlife corridors and increase the population of endangered species by volunteering or donating to our organization.
Together, we can offer ocelots and other at-risk wildlife species a chance to survive and thrive.