Editing Ocelot (section)

===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/>