Editing Ocelot (section)

== Ecology and behavior ==
[[File:Ocelot 01.jpg|thumb|Ocelot resting in a tree]]
The ocelot is usually solitary and active mainly during twilight and at night. [[Radio collar]]ed individuals in the [[Cocha Cashu Biological Station]] in [[Peru]] rested during the day and became active earliest in the late afternoon; they moved between 3.2 and 17 hours until dawn and then returned to their dens.<ref name=Emmons>{{cite journal |last1=Emmons |first1=L. H. |title=A field study of ocelots ''Felis pardalis'' in Peru |journal=Revue d'Écologie |year=1988 |volume=43 |issue=2 |pages=133–157 |doi=10.3406/revec.1988.5418 |s2cid=131657310 |url=http://documents.irevues.inist.fr/bitstream/handle/2042/55319/LATERREETLAVIE_1988_43_2_133.pdf?sequence=1 |access-date=2016-06-08 |archive-date=2016-08-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160828214750/http://documents.irevues.inist.fr/bitstream/handle/2042/55319/LATERREETLAVIE_1988_43_2_133.pdf?sequence=1 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

During the daytime, it rests on trees, in dens below large trees or other cool, sheltered sites on the ground. It is agile in climbing and leaping, and escapes predators by jumping on trees. It is also an efficient swimmer. It scent-marks its [[territory (animal)|territory]] by spraying urine. The territories of males are {{cvt|3.5|–|46|km2}} large, while those of females cover {{cvt|0.8|–|15|km2}}. Territories of females rarely overlap, whereas the territory of a male includes those of two to three females. Social interaction between sexes is minimal, though a few adults have been observed together even in non-mating periods, and some juveniles interact with their parents.<ref name=Sunquist /> Data from [[camera trap]]ping studies confirm that several ocelot individuals deposit scat in one or several communal sites, called [[Animal latrine|latrines]].<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Moreno |first1=R. |last2=Giacalone |first2=J. |name-list-style=amp |date=2006 |title=Ecological data obtained from latrine use by ocelots (''Leopardus pardalis'') on Barro Colorado Island, Panamá |journal=Tecnociencia |language=es |volume=8 |pages=7–21 |url=http://up-rid.up.ac.pa/791/}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |author1=Rodgers, T. W. |author2=Giacalone, J. |author3=Heske, E. J. |author4=Pawlikowski, N. C. |author5=Schooley, R. L. |name-list-style=amp |year=2015 |title=Communal latrines act as potentially important communication centers in ocelots ''Leopardus pardalis'' |journal=Mammalian Biology - Zeitschrift für Säugetierkunde |volume=80 |issue=5 |pages=380–384 |doi=10.1016/j.mambio.2015.05.004 |bibcode=2015MamBi..80..380R}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |author=King, T.W. |author2=Salom-Pérez, R. |author3=Shipley, L.A. |author4=Quigley, H.B. |author5=Thornton, D.H. |name-list-style=amp |year=2016 |title=Ocelot latrines: communication centers for Neotropical mammals |journal=Journal of Mammalogy |volume=98 |issue=1 |pages=106–113 |doi=10.1093/jmammal/gyw174 |doi-access=free}}</ref> Ocelots can be aggressive in defending their territory, fighting even to death.<ref>{{cite journal |author=Thompson, C. L. |year=2011 |title=Intraspecific killing of a male ocelot |journal=Mammalian Biology - Zeitschrift für Säugetierkunde |volume=76 |issue=3 |pages=377–379 |doi=10.1016/j.mambio.2010.10.011 |bibcode=2011MamBi..76..377T |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/251700127}}</ref>

The [[population density]] of ocelots has been observed to be high in areas with high rainfall, but tends to decrease with increasing latitude; highest densities have been recorded in the tropics.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Di Bitetti |first1=M. S. |last2=Paviolo |first2=A. |last3=De Angelo |first3=C. D. |last4=Di Blanco |first4=Y. E. |name-list-style=amp |title=Local and continental correlates of the abundance of a neotropical cat, the ocelot (''Leopardus pardalis'') |journal=Journal of Tropical Ecology |date=2008 |volume=24 |issue=2 |pages=189–200 |doi=10.1017/S0266467408004847 |hdl=11336/61267 |s2cid=85576074|hdl-access=free}}</ref> In 2014, the ocelot population density in [[Barro Colorado Island]] was estimated to be {{cvt|1.59|–|1.74|/km2}}, greater than {{cvt|0.984|/km2}} recorded in northwestern Amazon in Peru in 2010, which was the densest ocelot population recorded thus far.<ref>{{cite journal |year=2014 |title=Comparison of noninvasive genetics and camera trapping for estimating population density of ocelots (''Leopardus pardalis'') on Barro Colorado Island, Panama |journal=Tropical Conservation Science |author1=Rodgers, T. W. |author2=Giacalone, J. |author3=Heske, E. J. |author4=Janečka, J. E. |author5=Phillips, C. A. |author6=Schooley, R. L. |name-list-style=amp |volume=7 |issue=4 |pages=690–705 |doi-access=free |doi=10.1177/194008291400700408}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Kolowski |first1=J. M. |last2=Alonso |first2=A. |name-list-style=amp |title=Density and activity patterns of ocelots (''Leopardus pardalis'') in northern Peru and the impact of oil exploration activities |journal=Biological Conservation |date=2010 |volume=143 |issue=4 |pages=917–925 |doi=10.1016/j.biocon.2009.12.039 |bibcode=2010BCons.143..917K}}</ref>

Potential predators of the ocelot in Texas include the [[cougar]], [[coyote]] and [[American alligator]], while ocelot kittens are vulnerable to [[Bird of prey|raptors]], such as the [[great horned owl]], as well as [[feral dog]]s, [[feral pig]]s and snakes.<ref>{{cite report |author=Harwell, G. |title= Listed cats of Texas and Arizona: Recovery plan, with emphasis on the ocelot |publisher=[[US Fish and Wildlife Service]] |year=1990 |chapter=Status of the Texas ocelot |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ManwAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA15 |pages=10–22}}</ref> Studies have found that adult ocelots are vulnerable to predation by both cougars and [[jaguar]]s, with decreasing water sources in [[Guatemala]] causing predatory encounters with the latter.<ref>{{cite journal |author1=De Oliveira, T. G. |name-list-style=amp |author2=Pereira, J. A. |year=2014 |title=Intraguild predation and interspecific killing as structuring forces of carnivoran communities in South America |journal=Journal of Mammalian Evolution |volume=21 |issue=4 |pages=427–436 |doi=10.1007/s10914-013-9251-4 |s2cid=17966102 |hdl=11336/19188 |hdl-access=free}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |author1=Perera-Romero, L. |author2=Garcia-Anleu, R. |author3=McNab, R. B. |author4=Thornton, D. H. |name-list-style=amp |year=2021 |title=When waterholes get busy, rare interactions thrive: Photographic evidence of a jaguar (''Panthera onca'') killing an ocelot (''Leopardus pardalis'') |journal=Biotropica |volume=53 |issue=2 |pages=367–371 |doi=10.1111/btp.12916 |bibcode=2021Biotr..53..367P |s2cid=233820576}}</ref>

=== Hunting and diet ===
[[File:Jaguatirica.jpg|thumb|An ocelot hunting at night]]
Ocelots have been observed to follow [[Tracking (hunting)|scent trails]] in search for prey, walking at a speed of about {{cvt|0.3|km/h|1}}.<ref name=Emmons/> Alternatively, an ocelot may wait for prey for 30 to 60 minutes at a certain site and move to another walking at {{cvt|0.8|–|1.4|km/h}} if unsuccessful. An ocelot typically prefers hunting in areas with vegetation cover, avoiding open areas, especially on moonlit nights, so as not to be seen by the prey. As a carnivore, it preys on small terrestrial mammals such as [[rodent]]s, [[Lagomorpha|lagomorphs]], [[armadillo]]s, [[opossum]]s, also fish, crustaceans, insects, reptiles and birds. It usually feeds on the kill immediately, but removes bird feathers before. It typically preys on animals that weigh less than {{cvt|1|kg}}, but rarely targets large ungulates such as deer, sheep and [[peccaries]], as well as [[anteater]]s, [[New World monkey]]s and [[iguana]]s. It requires {{cvt|600|–|800|g}} of food every day to satisfy its energy requirements.<ref name=Sunquist/>

Primates prevail in the diet of ocelots in southeastern Brazil<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Bianchi |first1=R.C. |last2=Mendes |first2=S.L. |name-list-style=amp |title=Ocelot (''Leopardus pardalis'') predation on primates in Caratinga Biological Station, southeast Brazil |journal=American Journal of Primatology |year=2007 |volume=69 |issue=10 |pages=1173–1178 |doi=10.1002/ajp.20415 |pmid=17330310 |s2cid=21305103}}</ref> and iguanas in a tropical deciduous forest in Mexico.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Meza |first1=A.V. |last2=Meyer |first2=E.M. |last3=Gonzalez |first3=C.A.L. |name-list-style=amp |title=Ocelot (''Leopardus pardalis'') food habits in a tropical deciduous forest of Jalisco, Mexico |journal=The American Midland Naturalist |year=2002 |volume=148|issue=1 |pages=146–154 |doi=10.1674/0003-0031(2002)148[0146:OLPFHI]2.0.CO;2 |s2cid=198158053}}</ref> The composition of the diet varies by season; in Venezuela, ocelots were found to prefer iguanas and rodents in the dry season and then switch to [[land crab]]s in the wet season.<ref name=Ludlow>{{cite journal |last1=Ludlow |first1=M.E.|last2=Sunquist|first2=M. |name-list-style=amp |title=Ecology and behavior of ocelots in Venezuela |journal=National Geographic Research |year=1987|volume=3|issue=4|pages=447–461}}</ref> In southeastern Brazil, ocelots have a similar prey preference as margays and oncillas. The oncillas focus on tree-living [[marsupial]]s and birds while the margays are not as selective.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Wang |first1=E. |title=Diets of ocelots (''Leopardus pardalis''), margays (''L. wiedii''), and oncillas (''L. tigrinus'') in the Atlantic rainforest in southeast Brazil |journal=Studies on Neotropical Fauna and Environment |year=2002 |volume=37 |issue=3 |pages=207–212 |doi=10.1076/snfe.37.3.207.8564 |bibcode=2002SNFE...37..207W |s2cid=83976479}}</ref>

===Reproduction and life cycle===
[[File:Ocelo baby 1.jpg|thumb|An ocelot kitten]]
Both male and female ocelots produce a long-range "yowl" in the mating season and a short-range "meow".<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Peters |first1=G.|title=On the structure of friendly close range vocalizations in terrestrial carnivores (Mammalia: Carnivora: Fissipedia) |journal=Zeitschrift für Säugetierkunde |year=1984 |volume=49 |issue=3 |pages=157–182}}</ref> Ocelots can mate any time during the year. The peak mating season varies geographically; in Argentina and Paraguay, peaks have been observed in autumn, in Mexico and Texas in autumn and winter. [[Estrus]] lasts four to five days and recurs every 25 days in a non-pregnant female.<ref name=Nowak/> A study in southern Brazil showed that sperm production in ocelots, margays and oncillas peaks in summer.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Morais|first1=R.N.|last2=Mucciolo|first2=R.G.|last3=Gomes|first3=M.L.F.|last4=Lacerda |first4=O. |last5=Moraes |first5=W. |last6=Moreira|first6=N.|last7=Graham|first7=L.H.|last8=Swanson |first8=W.F. |last9=Brown |first9=J.L. |title=Seasonal analysis of semen characteristics, serum testosterone and fecal androgens in the ocelot (''Leopardus pardalis''), margay (''L. wiedii'') and tigrina (''L. tigrinus'') |journal=Theriogenology |year=2002 |volume=57 |issue=8|pages=2027–2041|doi=10.1016/S0093-691X(02)00707-0 |pmid=12066863}}</ref> When mating, captive ocelots spend more time together, scent-mark extensively and eat less.<ref name=mammal/>

The female gives birth to a litter of one to three kittens after a [[gestation]] period of two to three months. Dens are usually located in dense vegetation. A newborn kitten weighs {{cvt|200|–|340|g}}.<ref name=Sunquist/><ref name=Nowak/> The kitten is born with spots and stripes, though on a gray background; the color changes to golden as the ocelot grows older.<ref name=caldwell>{{cite web |title=Ocelot |url=https://caldwellzoo.org/habitats/north-america/ocelot/ |publisher=[[Caldwell Zoo]] |access-date=24 December 2019 |archive-date=21 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191221203922/https://caldwellzoo.org/habitats/north-america/ocelot/ |url-status=dead}}</ref> A study in southern Texas revealed that a mother keeps a litter in a den for 13 to 64 days and shifts the young to two or three dens.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Laack |first1=L.L. |last2=Tewes |first2=M.E. |last3=Haines |first3=A.M. |last4=Rappole |first4=J.H.|title=Reproductive life history of ocelots ''Leopardus pardalis'' in southern Texas |journal=Acta Theriologica |year=2005 |volume=50 |issue=4 |pages=505–514 |doi=10.1007/BF03192643|s2cid=1193321}}</ref> The kitten's eyes open 15 to 18 days after birth. Kittens begin to leave the den at the age of three months. They remain with their mother for up to two years and then start dispersing and establishing their own territory. In comparison to other felids, ocelots have a relatively longer duration between births and a narrow litter size. Captive ocelots live for up to 20 years.<ref name=Sunquist/>