Their scientific name, Leopardus pardalis, means “like a leopard” because of the black spots on their body that make them look like a ‘mini leopard.’ The marking generally runs parallel along the side body, each of them having a unique pattern. The primary coat color ranges from grey to tawny yellow to reddish.
They are nocturnal; therefore, they hunt under the cloak of the night with exceptional sight and hearing to hunt rabbits, iguanas, fish, rodents, and frogs. Unlike other cats, they are not scared of water and are excellent swimmers. They also have a raspy tongue that can remove every tasty morsel from the bone.
Distribution
Argentina
Belize
Bolivia
Brazil
Colombia
Costa Rica
Ecuador
El Salvador
French Guiana
Guatemala
Guyana
Honduras
Mexico
Nicaragua
Panama
Paraguay
Peru
Suriname
Trinidad & Tobago
United States
Official estimate
Uruguay
VenezuelaRecent updates
Dec 2022: Concerns are mounting among scientists over the sole albino ocelot that was born blind. It is the world’s first-ever known albino ocelot raised in Medellin Conservation Park in Colombia.
Anything we've missed?
Help us improve this page by suggesting edits. Glory never dies!
Suggest an editGet to know me
Terrestrial / Aquatic
Altricial / Precocial
Polygamous / Monogamous
Dimorphic (size) / Monomorphic
Active: Diurnal / Nocturnal
Social behavior: Solitary / Pack / Herd
Diet: Carnivore / Herbivore / Omnivore / Piscivorous / Insectivore
Migratory: Yes / No
Domesticated: Yes / No
Dangerous: Yes / No
Ocelot on banknotes
