Ocelot


 * The Ocelot **

Created by: John Lee

__Normal__: Ocelot __Scientific:__ Leopardus pardalis __Nickname__: Painted Leopard or Spotted Cat
 * __Names __**

__Category__: Vertebrae Mammal __Appearance:__ The ocelot's fur is characterized by its creamy and yellowish color. The underside, tail, and limb fur are generally a white tint. The ocelot is also characterized by its dark spots that line up about its body.
 * __Description __**



__Eating Habits:__ The ocelot's diet consists typically of mice, rabbits, rats, birds, snakes, lizards, fish and frogs. They usually hunt in solitude, but may occasionally call a hunting partner. __Breeding __: The ocelot mates year-round, and through live birth, they may give birth to one to three young at a time.

__Geography: __ The ocelot is typically located in the southern area of the United States in Arizona and Texas. Some also live in Mexico and Argentina. __Habitat: __ The ocelot usually lives around dense forests and chaparrals. __<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic','sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt;">Migrate: __<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic','sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt;"> Ocelots do not migrate <span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic','sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt;">__Hibrnation:__ Ocelots live above ground and do not hibernate __<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic','sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt;">Predation __<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic','sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt;">: Ocelots are predators and hunt typically on small creatures (listed above)
 * __<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic','sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt;">Habitat __**<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic','sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt;">:

<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic','sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt;">Ocelots have been endangered since around 1972. The main causes are due to hunting and loss of habitats. Ocelots are hunted because of their beautiful and unique fur compared to other cats. The leading cause of their loss of habitat is because of deforestation. As a result, many ocelots migrate across roads and highways in search of new homes.
 * __<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic','sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt;">Problems: __**


 * __<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic','sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt;">Solutions: __**
 * The San Antonio Zoo is making efforts and programswith other zoos around Texas to breed many ocelots and then releasing them into the wild.
 * The Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute in Texas is working to recreate and establish new habitats for ocelots to prevent them from migrating across highways and roads.
 * Other institutes that have been aiding with the conservation of ocelots include Rio Bravo Wildlife Institue (RBWI), American Forest, Texas Parks and Wildlife Development (TPWD), and Dallas Zoo

<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic','sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt;">U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service - [] NatureWorks - [] Amphi: [] Animals Unite: [] <span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic','sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt;">U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service - [] Wildlife Management - [] Blognauts - [] GorvTexas - []
 * __<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic','sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt;">References __**