Rolling Hills Wildlife Adventure

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Fast Facts:

Look for the ocelot in the rainforest exhibit in the museum.
The Ocelot is one of the largest of the small cats.
They can run down trees headfirst.

Ocelot

Scientific Name:	Felis paradalis
Classification:	Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Carnivora Family: Felidae
Status:	Endangered
Range:	Arizona to Argentina
Habitat:	Forests and scrublands
Diet:	Small mammals, reptiles and birds
Size:	Height: 25-40 inches Length: 10-16 inches Weight: 25-35 pounds
Lifespan:	17 yrs.
Location:
Print Fact Sheet	Ocelot

Special Features:

Although it has a good sense of smell, it relies on hearing and eyesight to hunt.
Hearing in small cats is more acute than in large cats.
In the dark, the Ocelot's eyesight is 6 times better than man's.
The Ocelot sleeps lying down with its forepaws outstretched in front with its head resting on them like a dog. It is the only small cat that does this.
It is a good swimmer.
They can climb for prey but prefer to hunt on the ground.

Social Structure & Behavior:

Solitary. An agile climber, it spends most of the time resting in trees.

Reproduction:
Sexual maturity at 6-8 months. Gestation 70 days. Litter size 2-4 kittens. Kittens are born with fur, but blind and helpless. The mother teaches them to hunt and kill prey.