Animals

Ocelot

Leopardus Pardalis Mitis

In the Rio Grande Valley, a small remnant population of about 50 ocelots survives in a habitat that has been fragmented by big highways and other developments. As predators, these small cats help to maintain the balance of nature as they hunt for rodents and other small animals. The El Paso Zoo supports an ocelot conservation project in Brazil designed to help maintain the genetic diversity of ocelots living in zoos. This project has also benefited local education initiatives and habitat restoration.

Fun Facts

Classification

Class: Mammalia

Order: Carnivora

Family: Felidae

Genus: Leopardus

Species: L. Pardalis

Habitat

Ocelots can be found in Eastern Mexico, Central America, and North and South America.