Leopardus pardalis mitis
Ocelots range from Arizona and Texas south throughout Mexico, Central and South America except Chile. They live in a broad spectrum of habitats including mangrove forests and coastal marshes, savanna grasslands and pastures, thorn scrub and tropical forests of all types. The Oregon Zoo's ocelots belong to the southern Brazilian subspecies, Felis (Leopardus) pardalis mitis, which inhabits tropical and subtropical forests of southern Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina. Ocelots are carnivores.
Ocelot derives from ocelotl, from Nahuatl, the language of the Aztecs.
Ocelot behavior and facts
- Ocelots prefer a diet of small animals that weigh less than 10 percent of their body weight, but may prey on animals weighing up to 20 pounds. Their diet includes small mammals, fish, reptiles and birds.
- Ocelots are excellent climber and swimmers. Powerful legs make them some of the fastest wildcats.
- They are primarily nocturnal and solitary. Diurnal (daytime) activity is mainly during cool winter days, in areas where prey is diurnal or with little human disturbance. Daytime hunting takes place only in areas of dense brush or other heavy cover.
- During the day, they rest in trees or other dense foliage, and occasionally share their spot with another ocelot of the same gender.
- Ocelots do not migrate. Males keep within a home range of about 7 square miles; females inhabit ranges of about 4 square miles. A male's range usually overlaps that of several females.
- Ocelots meow like a housecat.
From birth to death
- Can breed anytime during the year.
- Gestation: 79 to 85 days
- Litter size: 1 to 3 cubs
- Sexual maturity: 18 to 24 months
- Lifespan: 7 to 10 years; 20 years in captivity
Vital statistics
- Weight: 20 to 40 pounds; males are slightly larger.
- Length: 20 to 40 inches with 11- to 18-inch tails.
- Height: up to 18 inches
Status
CITES Appendix I; Endangered.
Ocelots, the Oregon Zoo and you
The zoo's ocelots live in the Ocelot exhibit. They eat a carnivore diet with enrichment and training treats such as rodents. Since 2002, the Oregon Zoo has worked with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums' Brazilian Ocelot Consortium and the government of Brazil to play a role in the ocelot's survival. The Oregon Zoo is one of 10 U.S. zoos in the consortium.
Ocelots at the Oregon Zoo
- Ralph - male
Born in 1993 at a zoo in Sao Paulo, Brazil
Arrived at the Oregon Zoo on April 22, 2006 - Alice - female
Born in 1993 at a zoo in Sao Paulo, Brazil
Arrived at the Oregon Zoo on April 22, 2006
Ralph and Alice are the father and mother of Rio a male ocelot born at the Oregon Zoo on Sept. 14, 2006. Zoo fans chose his name through an online poll. Rio – which means "river" or "laugh" in Spanish – received more than 2,132 votes.