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Ocelot Facts

Ocelot Facts
Ocelot is a medium-sized cat that can be found in Central and South America (in all countries except in Chile) and in Texas. Ocelot lives in rainforests, semi-deserts, mountain forests, grasslands and mangroves. It can be found on altitudes of up to 12500 feet. Ocelot was hunted nearly to extinction in the second half of 20th century. Although ocelot is placed under protection, its number rises slowly because of the habitat loss. Ocelot is listed as endangered species.
Interesting Ocelot Facts:
Ocelot is two times bigger than domestic cat. It can reach 28 to 35 inches in length and between 24 and 35 pounds of weight. Males are bigger than females. Length of a tail measures half of the body size.
Ocelots have beautiful fur which is the reason why people hunt them. Color of the fur is usually tawny, yellow or brown-grayish, covered with black rosettes and stripes.
Ocelot has pointed teeth that are used for biting and blade-like teeth that are used for tearing of the food. It does not have teeth for chewing so it swallows chunks of food.
Ocelot has raspy tongue, which successfully removes every little piece of meat from bones.
Ocelots are carnivores (meat-eaters). They eat rodents, monkeys, tortoises, armadillos, rabbits, birds, lizards, fish, snakes…
Ocelot has excellent eyesight (adapted to night vision) and sense of hearing, which are used for detection of the prey.
Ocelots are nocturnal (active during the night) animals. During the day, they rest in the hollow trees, on the branches or dense vegetation.
Due to smaller size, ocelot is an easy prey of larger cats (such as jaguars and pumas), birds of prey (eagles) and large snakes (anaconda).
Unlike other cat species, ocelots are not afraid of the water. They are excellent swimmers.
Ocelots are territorial and solitary creatures. Males usually live on the territory of 30 square meters. Females occupy territory that is two times smaller.
Ocelots are active 12 hours per day. During that time, ocelot may travel up to 7 miles while it searches for the food.
Males and females gather only during the mating season. In tropical areas, ocelots can reproduce throughout the whole year. In temperate climate, ocelots mate at the end of the summer.
Ocelots produce loud yowls when they are ready to mate. Females have one litter every other year. Pregnancy lasts 85 days and ends with 2 to 3 kittens.
Kittens are born blind. Their body is covered with thick and dark fur. After one month, they will open their eyes and start developing additional colors on the fur. Young ocelots are ready to begin independent life at the age of one year.
Average lifespan of ocelot is 10 to 13 years in the wild and up to 20 years in captivity.


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