Ocelot

Leopardus pardalis

The ocelot is a patterned American cat that hunts through covered habitats. It is distinct from the smaller margay, even though their spotted coats can look similar at first glance.

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Tree of lifeScientific lineage

Advanced classification

Complete source lineage, including intermediate ranks. The standard view uses Life and the eight principal ranks.

cellular organisms cellular root
Eukaryota domain
Opisthokonta clade
Metazoa kingdom
Eumetazoa clade
Bilateria clade
Deuterostomia clade
Chordata phylum
Craniata subphylum
Vertebrata clade
Gnathostomata clade
Teleostomi clade
Euteleostomi clade
Sarcopterygii superclass
Dipnotetrapodomorpha clade
Tetrapoda clade
Amniota clade
Mammalia class
Theria clade
Eutheria clade
Boreoeutheria clade
Laurasiatheria superorder
Carnivora order
Feliformia suborder
Felidae family
Felinae subfamily
Leopardus genus
Leopardus pardalis species

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Physical traits

Dark spots and elongated markings form complex patterns on a sturdy body.

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Habitat and range

Forests, scrub and other habitats with substantial cover can be used, including some wetland-associated landscapes.

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Diet and nutrition

Small vertebrates are important foods, and prey is located using several senses, including scent.

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Behavior and activity

Ocelots commonly travel and hunt alone. They can climb, but much hunting and movement take place on the ground.

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Geographic distribution

The Mammal Diversity Database v2.5 records this species in Argentina, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, French Guiana, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, United States, Venezuela.

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