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Ocelot

Leopardus pardalis

Mammal · family Felidae · order Carnivora

  1. G1
    Critically imperiled
  2. G2
    Imperiled
  3. G3
    Vulnerable
  4. G4
    Apparently secure
  5. G5
    Secure

NatureServe global rank G4: apparently secure[2].

Updated October 30, 2026. Published by Humblebee.

Ocelot
Photo: Giles Laurent, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Endangered Species Act
Not listed[1]
NatureServe global rank
G4 Apparently Secure[2]
Native in
2 states[3]
Longest recorded life
28.2 years[4]

The ocelot (Leopardus pardalis) is a mammal in the family Felidae[5]. NatureServe lists it as native in Arizona and Texas, and ranks it Critically Imperiled nationally in the United States[3][6].

Conservation status

NatureServe gives the ocelot a global rank of G4, which means Apparently Secure[2]. In the United States the national rank is N1, Critically Imperiled[6]. The IUCN Red List category recorded by NatureServe is Least concern[7]. In USFWS ECOS data checked on 2026-10-30, the ocelot is not listed as endangered or threatened under the US Endangered Species Act[1]. It is on CITES Appendix I, which sets controls on international trade[8]. NatureServe notes the species is likely declining throughout its range[9].

Status Value
Endangered Species Act[1] Not listed
NatureServe global rank[2] G4 (Apparently Secure)
NatureServe US rank[6] N1 (Critically Imperiled)
IUCN Red List (via NatureServe)[7] Least concern
CITES (international trade)[8] Appendix I
Total population (NatureServe estimate)[10] 10,000 to 100,000 individuals

Where Ocelot lives

NatureServe lists the ocelot as native in Arizona and Texas[3]. NatureServe ranks it as extirpated or possibly extirpated in Arkansas and Louisiana, which means it is gone or may be gone from those states[11][12]. GBIF observation records in the United States come most often from Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, California and Washington[13]. Those counts follow observer effort, not population size[13].

Alaska: not recordedAKMaine: not recordedMEWisconsin: not recordedWIVermont: not recordedVTNew Hampshire: not recordedNHWashington: not recordedWAIdaho: not recordedIDMontana: not recordedMTNorth Dakota: not recordedNDMinnesota: not recordedMNIllinois: not recordedILMichigan: not recordedMINew York: not recordedNYMassachusetts: not recordedMAOregon: not recordedORNevada: not recordedNVWyoming: not recordedWYSouth Dakota: not recordedSDIowa: not recordedIAIndiana: not recordedINOhio: not recordedOHPennsylvania: not recordedPANew Jersey: not recordedNJConnecticut: not recordedCTRhode Island: not recordedRICalifornia: not recordedCAUtah: not recordedUTColorado: not recordedCONebraska: not recordedNEMissouri: not recordedMOKentucky: not recordedKYWest Virginia: not recordedWVVirginia: not recordedVAMaryland: not recordedMDDelaware: not recordedDEArizona: native, state rank S1AZNew Mexico: not recordedNMKansas: not recordedKSArkansas: extirpated or possibly extirpated, state rank SXARTennessee: not recordedTNNorth Carolina: not recordedNCSouth Carolina: not recordedSCDistrict of Columbia: not recordedDCOklahoma: not recordedOKLouisiana: extirpated or possibly extirpated, state rank SXLAMississippi: not recordedMSAlabama: not recordedALGeorgia: not recordedGAHawaii: not recordedHITexas: native, state rank S1TXFlorida: not recordedFLPuerto Rico: not recordedPR
State presence as recorded by NatureServe[12].
Show state ranks (4 states)
StateRankMeaning
ArizonaS1Critically Imperiled
ArkansasSXPresumed Extirpated
LouisianaSXPresumed Extirpated
TexasS1Critically Imperiled

Habitat

NatureServe records several habitat types for the ocelot, including hardwood forest, hardwood woodland, shrubland, savanna, forested wetland and riparian areas[14]. It likes places with good cover and tends to stay hidden in dense brush when it is active by day[15]. In Texas it lives in thick chaparral, which is dense, scrubby brush[15]. It is mainly a ground animal but can climb, jump and swim well[15]. Dens can be in caves, hollow trees or thickets[15].

Habitat types recorded by NatureServe[14]

Size, diet and lifespan

The ocelot is a carnivore[16]. It eats small to medium animals such as rodents, rabbits, birds, snakes, lizards and fish, and sometimes young deer[17]. One diet estimate puts it at 70% warm-blooded vertebrates, 20% reptiles and amphibians and 10% fish[18]. NatureServe records a typical length of 125 cm (49 in) and a typical adult weight of 14 kg (31 lb)[19][20]. Litters are 2 to 4 kittens, usually 2[21]. Gestation lasts about 70 days in NatureServe notes[21]. AnAge lists the oldest known ocelot as a captive animal, and this is a record, not a typical lifespan[4].

Trait Value
Typical length[19] 125 cm (49 in)
Typical adult weight[20] 14 kg (31 lb)
Longest recorded lifespan (AnAge)[4] 28.2 years (captivity)
Litter or clutch size[22] 2
Gestation or incubation[23] 77 days
Female maturity[24] 600 days (about 1.6 years)
Food habits[16] Carnivore
Active[25] nocturnal
Migration[26] non-migrant

Estimated diet composition (EltonTraits 1.0)[18]

  • 70% warm-blooded vertebrates
  • 20% reptiles and amphibians
  • 10% fish

When to look for it

The ocelot is mainly active at night, and NatureServe also records it as crepuscular, which means active around dawn and dusk[27][28]. It is a non-migrant, though populations can differ[26]. In Texas, breeding is in late summer and births come in fall and winter[21]. In the tropics it breeds year-round[21]. GBIF records in the United States are highest in February, May and June[29]. Records show when people look and report, not how many animals there are[29].

January: 1,902 recordsJanFebruary: 1,936 recordsFebMarch: 1,229 recordsMarApril: 1,389 recordsAprMay: 2,894 recordsMayJune: 2,486 recordsJunJuly: 1,094 recordsJulAugust: 1,082 recordsAugSeptember: 881 recordsSepOctober: 575 recordsOctNovember: 875 recordsNovDecember: 1,609 recordsDec
US observation records on GBIF by month, all years. The three months with the most records are highlighted. Records show when people look and report, not how many animals there are[29].
Show records by month
MonthRecords
January1,902
February1,936
March1,229
April1,389
May2,894
June2,486
July1,094
August1,082
September881
October575
November875
December1,609

Where to see it

States with the most GBIF observation records: Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, California, Washington[13]. These counts follow where people look and report, not population size.

Questions people ask

Is the ocelot endangered?
In USFWS ECOS data checked on 2026-10-30, the ocelot is not listed as endangered or threatened under the US Endangered Species Act[1]. NatureServe ranks it N1, Critically Imperiled, in the United States[6].
Where do ocelots live in the United States?
NatureServe lists the ocelot as native in Arizona and Texas[3]. It is ranked as extirpated or possibly extirpated in Arkansas and Louisiana[11].
What do ocelots eat?
Ocelots are carnivores that eat small to medium animals such as rodents, rabbits, birds, snakes, lizards and fish[16][17]. One estimate gives 70% warm-blooded vertebrates, 20% reptiles and amphibians and 10% fish[18].
How big is an ocelot?
NatureServe records a typical length of 125 cm (49 in) and a typical adult weight of 14 kg (31 lb)[19][20].
How long do ocelots live?
The longest recorded lifespan in AnAge is for an ocelot in captivity[4]. This is a record, not a typical lifespan[4].

Facts and sources

  1. Ocelot is not listed as endangered or threatened under the US Endangered Species Act in USFWS ECOS data (checked 2026-10-30). USFWS ECOS
  2. NatureServe global conservation status rank for Ocelot: G4 (Apparently Secure). NatureServe Explorer
  3. NatureServe lists Ocelot as native in 2 US states and territories: Arizona, Texas. NatureServe Explorer
  4. Maximum recorded lifespan in AnAge: 28.2 years in captivity. This is a record, not a typical lifespan. AnAge
  5. Ocelot (Leopardus pardalis) is a mammal in the family Felidae, order Carnivora. NatureServe Explorer
  6. NatureServe national rank in the United States: N1 (Critically Imperiled). NatureServe Explorer
  7. IUCN Red List category as recorded by NatureServe: Least concern. NatureServe Explorer
  8. CITES listing recorded by NatureServe: Appendix I (controls on international trade). NatureServe Explorer
  9. NatureServe notes on trend for Ocelot. NatureServe Explorer
  10. NatureServe estimate of total adult population (global, as a range): 10,000 to 100,000 individuals. NatureServe Explorer
  11. NatureServe ranks Ocelot as extirpated or possibly extirpated (SX or SH) in: Arkansas, Louisiana. NatureServe Explorer
  12. NatureServe state ranks for Ocelot (map and table on this page). NatureServe Explorer
  13. US states with the most GBIF observation records of Ocelot: Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, California, Washington. Record counts follow observer effort, not population size. GBIF
  14. Habitat types NatureServe records for Ocelot: Forest - hardwood, Woodland - hardwood, Shrubland/chaparral, Savanna, Forested wetland, Riparian. NatureServe Explorer
  15. NatureServe notes on habitat for Ocelot. NatureServe Explorer
  16. Adult food habits recorded by NatureServe: Carnivore. NatureServe Explorer
  17. NatureServe notes on food for Ocelot. NatureServe Explorer
  18. Estimated diet composition in EltonTraits 1.0: 70% warm-blooded vertebrates, 20% reptiles and amphibians, 10% fish. EltonTraits 1.0
  19. Typical length recorded by NatureServe: 125 cm (49 in). NatureServe Explorer
  20. Typical adult weight recorded by NatureServe: 14 kg (31 lb). NatureServe Explorer
  21. NatureServe notes on reproduction for Ocelot. NatureServe Explorer
  22. Typical litter or clutch size in AnAge: 2. AnAge
  23. Gestation or incubation period in AnAge: 77 days. AnAge
  24. Age at female sexual maturity in AnAge: 600 days (about 1.6 years). AnAge
  25. Activity time in EltonTraits 1.0: nocturnal. EltonTraits 1.0
  26. NatureServe migration category for Ocelot: non-migrant (populations can differ). NatureServe Explorer
  27. NatureServe notes on phenology for Ocelot. NatureServe Explorer
  28. Adult activity patterns recorded by NatureServe: Nocturnal, Crepuscular. NatureServe Explorer
  29. GBIF observation records of Ocelot in the US by month (chart on this page). GBIF

Status, range and habitat come from NatureServe Explorer (CC BY 4.0) and USFWS ECOS at the snapshot date. Listings change by federal rule. State lists are where NatureServe records the species, not a promise that you will see it there. Never name a place smaller than a state. GBIF and park records count observations and checklists. They show where and when people report the species, not how many animals live there.

NatureServe. 2026. NatureServe Explorer [web application]. NatureServe, Arlington, Virginia. Available https://explorer.natureserve.org. (Accessed: October 30, 2026). Licensed under CC BY 4.0; SpeciesFacts selected and summarized it.

Photo: Giles Laurent, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.