Ocelot

Ocelot staring into the distance.

Photograph by Frans Lanting/ Corbis

     Ocelots range in color from light yellow to reddish-gray with dark spots and stripes. They have dark spots on their cheeks and their tails have rings of dark fur. They are carnivores, and typically prey on rodents, rabbits, young deer, birds, snakes, and fish.

     Ocelots are nocturnal, living in trees and dense brush during the day, and extremely active during the night.

     Ocelots used to range as far east as Arkansas and Louisianan, and throughout Texas and Mexico.

     Currently, Ocelots are endangered due to threats from habitat loss due to agriculture, hunting for their fur, and pet trade.

How to help:

     You can help save endangered Ocelots by symbolically adopting one to help save them in the wild, visit the Wildlife Action Center to send a notice to government officials, learn how to be a powerful advocate for wildlife, and stay informed about their threats and support their species. Visit the Defenders of Wildlife for more information on Ocelots and how to help rescue them.

Sources:

http://www.defenders.org/ocelot/what-you-can-do