A small spotted cat about twice the size of a housecat — the dappled patterning gave them historic value in the pet trade. Fewer than 100 ocelots remain in the wild in the United States, in south Texas.

Also called: Tigrillo, McNeil's Cat

Native status: Native; federally endangered (US population)

§ Quick facts

SizeBody 70–100 cm (28–39 in); tail 30–45 cm; shoulder height 40–50 cm
Weight8–18 kg (18–40 lb)
LifespanWild 7–10 years; captive 20+
OrderCarnivora
FamilyFelidae

§ Encyclopedia

The ocelot is a medium-sized spotted wild cat that reaches 40–50 cm (16–20 in) at the shoulders and weighs between 7 and 15.5 kg on average. It is native to the southwestern United States, Mexico, Central and South America, and the Caribbean islands of Trinidad and Margarita. Carl Linnaeus scientifically described it in 1758. Two subspecies are recognized.

Source: Wikipedia — Ocelot Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

§ Identification

Field marks. Medium spotted cat, twice the size of a domestic cat. Tawny background with rosette pattern of black-bordered brown spots; chained spots forming stripes along sides; pale belly.

Similar species. Bobcat (much smaller, no rosettes, short tail). Margay (smaller, longer tail; only in Mexico/south). Jaguar (much larger, different pattern).

Voice. Mews, chuckles, growls, occasional yowls during mating.

§ Diet & behavior

Diet. Small mammals (rodents, rabbits, opossums), birds, reptiles, fish, large insects.

Behavior. Solitary and nocturnal. Excellent climber and swimmer. In US, restricted to a tiny population (<100 individuals) in south Texas thornscrub of the Lower Rio Grande Valley. Vehicle strikes are the leading cause of death; habitat fragmentation is the main long-term threat. Each individual has unique rosette pattern used for camera-trap identification.

§ Range

Mexico and Central/South America; small endangered US population in south Texas

§ Habitat

Dense thornscrub, brush thickets, riparian corridors

§ Threats

Habitat fragmentation in south Texas brush country, vehicle strikes (a leading cause of US ocelot death), road expansion.

§ Conservation status

According to the IUCN Red List, the ocelot is currently classified as Least Concern.

§ What helps

Support Texas brush-country corridors. Donate to Friends of Laguna Atascosa NWR. Support wildlife crossings.

Support our work More ways to help

§ Further reading

§ Sources cited

  • USFWS Ocelot Recovery
  • Friends of Laguna Atascosa NWR
  • Texas Parks and Wildlife
  • IUCN Red List 2014