Ocelot
VU

Ocelot

Leopardus pardalis

Unknown

Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ocelot

Overview

A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.

Ocelots face severe population fragmentation due to extensive habitat conversion for agriculture, cattle ranching, and urban development throughout their range from Texas to Argentina. Road mortality poses a significant threat as ocelots must cross increasingly busy highways to access fragmented territories, with vehicle strikes being a leading cause of death in many populations. Historical overhunting for the international fur trade decimated populations in the 1960s-80s, and while commercial hunting has largely ceased, illegal hunting for pelts and traditional medicine continues in some regions.

Threat summary

Habitat

Ocelots inhabit dense tropical and subtropical forests, thornscrub, coastal mangroves, and grassland savannas from sea level to 3,000 meters elevation. They require areas with dense vegetative cover for hunting and denning, favoring habitats with at least 70% canopy closure.

TERRESTRIAL· major

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Frequently asked questions

Why is Ocelot classified as Vulnerable?
Ocelot is classified as Vulnerable because the population is declining and the species faces a high risk of extinction in the medium-term future if current pressures continue. Ocelots face severe population fragmentation due to extensive habitat conversion for agriculture, cattle ranching, and urban development throughout their range from Texas to Argentina. Road mortality poses a significant threat as ocelots must cross increasingly busy highways to access fragmented territories, with vehicle strikes being a leading cause of death in many populations. Historical overhunting for the international fur trade decimated populations in the 1960s-80s, and while commercial hunting has largely ceased, illegal hunting for pelts and traditional medicine continues in some regions.
Where does Ocelot live?
Ocelot occurs in Argentina, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, and China (plus 26 other countries). Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Ocelot?
The main threats to Ocelot are ai-1, ai-2, ai-3, and ai-4. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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