Ocelots

Ocelots (Leopardus pardalis) are wild cats native to the Americas, ranging from Texas to southern Argentina. They have a spotted or rosette-like fur patterned coat, typically light yellowish-brown with dark spots and stripes, and a relatively short tail. Ocelots are an important part of the food web for their habitat, preying on small vertebrates and invertebrates, and in turn being preyed upon by larger predators. They are also important for seed dispersal, helping to spread the seeds of the plants they eat across their range. An estimated 50-75 adult ocelots remain in Texas, making them endangered in the state, and have been protected by law since the 1970s. Ocelots are a keystone species, meaning their presence is critical to the function of their ecosystem and the many species that rely on it.