The Ocelot- Maddie brogno
The Ocelot
Bio 227
Maddie Brogno
The Ocelot is also known as the Leopardus pardalis. It is a carnivorous mammal that is normally 28-35 inches long and usually weighs 24-35 pounds. The ocelot is native to South American jungles and tends to be found in grasslands and marshes as well. The coloring of this cat often leads people to call it the "painted leopard" due to the stripes and spots ranging in colors from tan, red, yellow, brown, and black. The Ocelot is a solitary animal that is nocturnal and is known to be incredibly sly and secretive.They prey on mostly rodents, lizards, and deer, but will settle for almost any ground dwellings. They are considered generalists, but are hunted for their fur, pet trade, and are currently suffering from habitat degradation.
Geographic and Population Changes
The Ocelot as mentioned before, is found throughout the South American tropics (marshes and grasslands), but it has been found in jungles in the Amazon basin as well. They also occupy areas in southern Texas and Mexico to northern Argentina and are fairly widespread. The ocelot is surprisingly adaptable to many different habitats and although it is normally found in below sea level areas, they have been found in regions as high as the Andes Mountains. However, due to habitat destruction the Ocelot has suffered population changes. According to a 2014 article published in National Geographic, "Some 95 percent of the cats' native habitat in the U.S. has been converted to agriculture or become urban sprawl." Author Elaine Robbins also stated that besides habitat changes, most Ocelots are killed by cars in Texas (roadkill).
Listing Date and Type of Listing
Listed on 3/18/28 and is listed as endangered wherever it is found.
Cause of Listing and Main Threats to its Continued Existence
The Ocelot's biggest threat is habitat loss. However, it also is threatened due to pet trade, killed for its fur, and automobile accidents in Texas. The main threats to its continuous existence is still habitat loss, pet trade, fur trade, and automobile accidents. Although, Texas has worked on some "ocelot crossing" to be installed on the highways throughout the state to help save the animal.
Description of Recovery Plan
The recovery plans intends to restore sufficient habitat for the ocelot to thrive in, reduce the effects of the human population growth and development on ocelot survival, maintain and improve genetic fitness of ocelot including its health, assure the long term viability of ocelot conservation through partnerships, implementing existing regulations, providing incentives..etc., practicing adaptive management, making international efforts to help conserve the ocelot internationally.
What Can You Do?
Although most people might never see an Ocelot (including me as I live in California,) there are still ways to help the Ocelot no matter where you are from. First, if ever driving through Texas note to be careful and watch for wild cats! There is an estimated 75 Ocelots left in Texas areas so although it would be rare to see them while driving, keep in mind of the danger. Another easy thing that can be done is avoiding purchasing Ocelot furs often found in jackets, shoes, hats, etc. On a more active level, you can "adopt" an ocelot which helps save them in the wild. You can also visit the wildlife center and email officials speaking your mind and get information on progress made on saving an animal. Another huge factor in helping the ocelot is staying informed, educate yourself on the progress made or not made on the ocelot to be aware of what is going on in the wildlife world. Here is a link to a website that has multiple ways to help! https://defenders.org/ocelot/what-you-can-do
Sources:
https://ecos.fws.gov/docs/recovery_plan/Ocelot%20Final%20Recovery%20Plan_Signed_July%202016_new%20(1).pdf
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/o/ocelot/
https://a-z-animals.com/animals/ocelot/
https://wildcatconservation.org/wild-cats/south-america/ocelot
https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp0/profile/speciesProfile?spcode=A084
https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp0/profile/speciesProfile?spcode=A084
https://defenders.org/ocelot/what-you-can-do
I really liked your post! Ocelots are really cool animals and I am proud to say I have actually seen one! I would to love to know more about their threats and maybe get some more information on the pet and fur trade. Reading all these posts makes me want to adopt an animal from every single species! Haha. I really hope they can do more to preserve this species, like put those "ocelot crossing" signs in and hopefully restore some habitats for them, since its one of the bigger threats. Overall, great post and pictures, I really enjoyed it! - Amber Buzzard
ReplyDeleteInteresting to learn that they are nocturnal and secretive. I wonder if they are good pets and if their behavior is similar to cats, do they pose a threat to humans at all? The plan to create crossings is a good idea, I wonder what else could be done to prevent getting hit by cars. Super interesting blog post!
ReplyDelete-Maeve Calanog
Great use of pictures, they really helped to bring home the point of the need to help them although they were definitely really sad to see. I think seeing the crossings built would be awesome because that could help a lot with the automobile accidents with the addition to crossing signs. I wonder how many of these crossing we actually have in America at the moment and if there is a plan to expand them throughout. Nice job! - Xavier Caldera
ReplyDeleteAmazing how wide-spread their range is, from Texas all the way to Argentina! So sad that so many are killed from cars while trying to cross the street. Translocation of this species might help this species and protection in Mexico. Hopefully the ocelot crossing will benefit them as well.
ReplyDelete-Christine Bradley
Great post! Until today I never knew this creature existed. The Ocelot is such a cool species and its so sad to see that so few are left. I can't believe they are limited to only a few counties in south Texas. I hope the Mexican government starts to protect these cats. Hopefully we can find a solution to the direct mortality from cars. Really informative, great job! -Tanner Coolidge
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteNice Blog! You found such great pictures of the Ocelot which is good for connecting with your audience. Ive never heard of this animal before so it was really cool to learn about it from your post. Hopefully people will want to help such a cute creature. - Michael Cipolletti
ReplyDeleteThe pictures and graphs for this blog were great! The picture of the Ocelot's fur hanging on the market was very sad and powerful. Similar to many other animals that are endangered, humans don't realize the negative effects of what they are doing to animals. This is very upsetting because these animals have lives too.
ReplyDelete-Adrienne Chin