Texas ocelot

The Texas ocelot (Leopardus pardalis albescens) is a spotted cat found in lowland areas from Texas southward to northern Argentina. This mammal has short, smooth fur with black-edged spots arranged in bands, and its upper parts range from yellow to gray. It has distinctive markings on its head, cheeks, and neck, with a whitish, spotted underside and a dark-marked tail.12

Ocelots are terrestrial but also good climbers, inhabiting forests, grasslands, and brushy areas. They are primarily nocturnal hunters, feeding on rodents, birds, reptiles, and fish. While generally silent, they adapt well to disturbed habitats and can live near human settlements.1

Ocelots are smaller than jaguars but larger than domestic cats, typically measuring 70–90 cm in length (excluding the tail) and weighing 11–16 kg. Breeding can occur year-round, with females usually giving birth to two or three kittens that are cared for by the mother.1

Historically hunted for their skins, ocelot populations are declining. The Texas ocelot subspecies is endangered, and hunting and trading of their pelts are prohibited in the United States and most other countries within their range.1