ocelot bio
Scientific name: Leopardus pardalis
Biome: Tropical rainforest
Habitat: live in the dense brush of tropical rainforests floors, but also spend time in the low branches of trees
Current population size: Estimated to be anywhere from 800,000 to 1.5 million
Food source: subsist mainly on rabbits, rodents, young deer, snakes, and fish
Predators: rarely eaten by harpy eagles, pumas, jaguars, and anacondas
Biome: Tropical rainforest
Habitat: live in the dense brush of tropical rainforests floors, but also spend time in the low branches of trees
Current population size: Estimated to be anywhere from 800,000 to 1.5 million
Food source: subsist mainly on rabbits, rodents, young deer, snakes, and fish
Predators: rarely eaten by harpy eagles, pumas, jaguars, and anacondas
Ocelots have few natural predators, so why are they at risk?
BECAUSE OF YOU.
Humans are endangering the world's ocelot population.
BECAUSE OF YOU.
Humans are endangering the world's ocelot population.
Ocelots have long been prized for their lavish fur. In the past, poachers have made ocelots a target for their hunts. In the 1980s, the population of ocelots was declining at such a fast rate that they were labeled as endangered.Since then, stricter regulation and enforcement of anti-poaching laws has facilitated a resurgence in the world's ocelot population. Now, the cats are currently categorized as a threatened species. Much progress has been made in the preservation of these animals, but the ocelot population is still declining, mainly due to habitat loss.
It is vital that these animals are preserved because a declining ocelot population will have a wide ranging effect on the rainforest ecosystems which they inhabit. To some degree, ocelots are useful to humans because they help control the rodent population. More importantly however, ocelots are apex predators, meaning that their presence has a stabilizing effect on the species that they prey upon. A decline in the world's ocelot population would result in an increase in the population of rabbits and rodents, species that are already quite abundant. If ocelots continue to decline, the entire rainforest ecosystem could become more volatile and more likely to collapse.
It is clear that ocelots have a vital ecological role to play. However, the reasons for preserving these felines do not end there. The loss of the ocelot would represent both an aesthetic and moral failure on the part of the human civilization. These creatures are majestic, beautiful, and useful. The loss of this species would be a travesty, especially considering that it is within our power to save them. Protecting their rainforest habitats is an easy first step in protecting these creatures. No species should be lost because humans cannot restrain themselves from destroying habitats for economic gain. The rainforest is as much the ocelot's property as it ours. It is our moral and ethical duty to respect it as such and act accordingly. The ocelot can be saved. You can help.
Make a donation to the Defenders of Wildlife organization to help preserve ocelots and other big cats
It is vital that these animals are preserved because a declining ocelot population will have a wide ranging effect on the rainforest ecosystems which they inhabit. To some degree, ocelots are useful to humans because they help control the rodent population. More importantly however, ocelots are apex predators, meaning that their presence has a stabilizing effect on the species that they prey upon. A decline in the world's ocelot population would result in an increase in the population of rabbits and rodents, species that are already quite abundant. If ocelots continue to decline, the entire rainforest ecosystem could become more volatile and more likely to collapse.
It is clear that ocelots have a vital ecological role to play. However, the reasons for preserving these felines do not end there. The loss of the ocelot would represent both an aesthetic and moral failure on the part of the human civilization. These creatures are majestic, beautiful, and useful. The loss of this species would be a travesty, especially considering that it is within our power to save them. Protecting their rainforest habitats is an easy first step in protecting these creatures. No species should be lost because humans cannot restrain themselves from destroying habitats for economic gain. The rainforest is as much the ocelot's property as it ours. It is our moral and ethical duty to respect it as such and act accordingly. The ocelot can be saved. You can help.
Make a donation to the Defenders of Wildlife organization to help preserve ocelots and other big cats
References
"Ocelot." International Society for Endangered Cats (ISEC) Canada. 1 Jan. 2012. Web. 10 Nov. 2014.
"Basic Facts About Ocelots." Defenders of Wildlife. 1 Jan. 2014. Web. 10 Nov. 2014.
"Ocelot." San Diego Zoo Animals. San Diego Zoo, 1 Jan. 2013. Web. 10 Nov. 2014.
"Leopardus Pardalis." Animal Diversity Web. Web. 11 Nov. 2014.
Pictures:
http://www.oregonzoo.org/sites/default/files/gallery/images/H_orig_ocelot_kitten_keeper_gal.jpg
http://images2.alphacoders.com/274/274830.jpg
http://img2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20120124172226/shipoffools/images/2/28/Ocelot.jpg
http://blog.bluezonegroupcr.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/Ocelot-0056.jpg
https://c2.staticflickr.com/4/3536/3699415317_8bc512c371.jpg
"Ocelot." International Society for Endangered Cats (ISEC) Canada. 1 Jan. 2012. Web. 10 Nov. 2014.
"Basic Facts About Ocelots." Defenders of Wildlife. 1 Jan. 2014. Web. 10 Nov. 2014.
"Ocelot." San Diego Zoo Animals. San Diego Zoo, 1 Jan. 2013. Web. 10 Nov. 2014.
"Leopardus Pardalis." Animal Diversity Web. Web. 11 Nov. 2014.
Pictures:
http://www.oregonzoo.org/sites/default/files/gallery/images/H_orig_ocelot_kitten_keeper_gal.jpg
http://images2.alphacoders.com/274/274830.jpg
http://img2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20120124172226/shipoffools/images/2/28/Ocelot.jpg
http://blog.bluezonegroupcr.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/Ocelot-0056.jpg
https://c2.staticflickr.com/4/3536/3699415317_8bc512c371.jpg