Ocelot+by+John+Koehn

//**Period 3, Murdock**//
=**Ocelot (Leopardus pardalis) **= = =


 * The ocelot, also known as the dwarf leopard, is a wild cat distributed extensively over South America including the islands of Trinidad and Margarita, Central America, and Mexico. These mammals range from 60-100 cm in length, and can weigh anywhere between 8-18 kg. **

__//**Cause of Endangerment: **//__

 * 1) ** An estimated 800,000 to 1.5 million are found worldwide. **
 * 2) **Scientists believe that the Ocelot is primarily being threatened by loss of habitat because of negative human influence.**

__//**Habitat: **//__

 * 1) **Ocelots live in a variety of habitats, ranging from mangrove forests to savanna grasslands and thorn shrub tropical forests.All of these habitats provide the necessary areas with dense vegetative cover. **
 * 2) **Ocelots primarily in tropical rain forests. The annual precipitation ranges between 1000 and 1500 per year, and averages a temperature of 75 degrees Fahrenheit. **
 * 3) **They are primarily found near South America **

__//**Life History and Reproductive Strategy: **//__
 
 * 1) **Ocelots have a moderate life cycle. **
 * 2) **The average lifespan of an ocelot is 10 to 13 years in the wild and up to 20 years in captivity **
 * 3) **Ocelots are known to breed all year round. The female ocelot will prepare a nest in a highly vegetated and protected area suck as a crevice, thorny brush, etc. After about 80 days, the mother will give birth to 2 or 3 kittens. **
 * 4) **Kittens are fully grown by the time they are a year old and are capable of becoming self sufficient. They will remain in their mothers range for a couple of years before leaving to live on their own. **

__//**Evolutionary Characteristics: **//__

 * 1) **The ocelot uses its golden and tawny spots and irregular stripes on its body camouflage it from predators in the thick brush. **
 * 2) **<span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">The pattern of the ocelot's fur resembles light shining through vegetation. **
 * 3) **<span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">Retractable claws help them seize and hold their prey. **



__//**<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">Ecological Relationships: **//__

 * 1) **<span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">The ocelot is a standard carnivore. Their diet consists of small prey such as mice, rabbits, young deer, rodents,rats, birds, fish, and other small animals. **
 * 2) **Ocelots use their large muscular legs tho chase down their prey. Once caught they use their sharp retractable claws and blade-like teeth to devour their prey.**
 * 3) **It is located near the top portion of the food chain and listed as a secondary consumer. Only below animals such as large carnivores such as jaguars, pumas, or large snakes.**
 * 4) **The Ocelot also shares a common ancestor dating to around 2.9 mya. (see cladogram)**



__//**<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">Preservation: **//__

 * 1) **<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue',Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.5;">There are a number of different things that are being done to save the ocelot. These include rehabilitation centers and protection of the ocelot's habitat. This a high priority in the state of Texas where populations have dropped significantly over the past few years. **
 * 2) **Brownsville Texas holds an annual festival called the Ocelot Conservation Festival. People from all ranges of life can come to learn the importance of maintaining the life of these creatures.**

__//**What Can YOU Do?**//__

 * The best way you can personally help reduce the negative impact set upon these animals is to contribute to organizations that help preserve habitats for such animals. Maintaining the wild ecosystem is the best way to help these animals. **

__//**<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">References: **//__

 * National Geographic**
 * Defenders.org**
 * A-Z Animals**
 * San Diego Zoo**
 * Nature Works**
 * Wikipedia**
 * Science Direct**