10 Interesting Facts About Ocelots

The ocelot (Leopardus pardalis) is a wild cat found in South and Central America and sections of the United States’ Southwest. They are sometimes mistaken for jaguars and leopards, but ocelots are significantly smaller than both, reaching only approximately twice the size of domestic cats. However, ocelots are distinguished by their striking spotted markings. But that’s not all there is to know about them, so let’s take a look at the ten most incredible facts about ocelots. 

1. Their Name Is Derived From an Aztec Word

The name ocelot is derived from the Aztec word “tlalocelot,” which means field tiger. The Aztecs, like many other indigenous societies in the region, venerated this wild cat for its hunting skills and beauty. Ocelots are shown in various art, jewelry, ceramics, and mythology from Central and South American cultures.

2. Ocelots Are Solitary Animals

Except during mating season, ocelots typically live alone. At full maturity, they weigh around 25 pounds and stand approximately 18 inches at the shoulder. Ocelots can mate year-round, but only stay together for a few days. The male, also known as the torn, goes off to cover his territory after mating. The female is pregnant for more than two months before giving birth and raising the kittens on her own. These newborns can have sharp teeth at an early age, but it takes many weeks for their eyes to open completely. Typically, they stay with their mother for roughly two years.

3. Ocelots Have Excellent Communication Skills

Aside from smell exchanges and bodily motions, ocelots may also communicate through sound. Like other wild cats, ocelots have evolved vocal cords that allow them to express a wide range of sounds and vibrations. Male ocelots utilize a range of meows and growls to attract possible mates, especially during mating season. While they can purr, ocelots do not roar like lions or tigers. Each call, cry, or meow and accompanying body language conveys a special message. The many forms of noise might imply anything from a display of affection to a predatory backoff call.

4. Ocelots Are Carnivores

Ocelots, like other cats, are carnivores and prey mainly on a variety of small mammals and birds. Ocelots have exceptional eyesight, adapted to night vision and hearing, which they utilize to detect prey. Coupled with other exciting features and adaptations of this night hunter, ocelots have teeth adapted for tearing apart prey, but they are not particularly strong. Therefore, they tear pieces off their prey and then swallow it without chewing.

5. Ocelots Prefer Life in the Rainforests

Don’t be deceived by ocelots’ appearance in some places like Arkansas and Texas because these cats are of rainforest origin from Central and South America. Ocelots thrive in the tropical, tree-lined canopies of these regions. They are primarily active at night, hunting and foraging, and don’t mind roaming up to two miles to get food.

6. Each Ocelot Has a Unique Coat

One surprising fact is that there are never two ocelots with the same coat. Their patches, known as rosettes, are dark brown to black, while the fur below is generally a golden tan or light yellowish-brown. When ocelots are born, their eyes are blue, and they appear dark gray. But their spots and patterns become more apparent and distinctive as they develop. Their tails are similarly adorned with ringed bands that run their length. Unfortunately, ocelots are hunted for the fur trade, substantially reducing their populations in some areas.

7. Ocelots Have Picky Eating Habits

Although ocelots are carnivores, they have been observed removing their prey’s feathers and fur before consuming them. They can lick bones clean after taking off the flesh because they have a tongue with a sandpaper-like covering. If they don’t finish their meal all at once, they’ll hide the remains from other animals so that they can return to them later, or they may carry them up into the tree, away from the reach of any competitor.

8. Peruvians Used to Worship Ocelots

In ancient times, people often worshipped various objects, including monumental structures and animals. Artwork from Peru shows that ancient people revered and cherished the ocelot. The ocelot was depicted in metalwork and paintings by the Moche people, who were famous craftsmen and artisans. Other creatures revered in their religion include snakes, birds, frogs, and fish. These people also worshipped a half-man, half-jaguar.

9. Ocelots Are Nocturnal

Unsurprisingly, ocelots do the majority of their foraging and hunting activities at night. They selectively look for safe, protected spots during the day while they wait patiently for the night. Ocelots also seek refuge when it’s time to raise their young. They mostly sleep and take cover in dense forest regions such as shrubby bushes, tree branches, and safe caves, where they may hide and conceal themselves in camouflage. More interestingly, they have great eyesight and hearing abilities, which allow them to detect food and smell trails left by other animals.

10. Ocelots Face Several Threats

Unfortunately, ocelots face several threats to their existence. Although they are officially classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List, they still face threats such as habitat destruction, fragmentation, and hunting. They’re also sometimes injured in road traffic collisions in areas where humans are encroaching on their habitat.