My Plan

So here's my plan. Now I don't want the people reading my blog to think that I won't help out. I chose the Ocelot because I saw how many of these beautiful animals there were and how the population has diminished over time. And maybe I'm informed late, but I rather be late then to not know at all. And there is a chance that we could turn the Ocelot status from ENDANGERED to NOT ENDANGERED. I'm not going to say its going to be easy, but if we all help, it WILL make a difference. My plan is called the NO OCELOT LEFT TO DIE. I want to organize a program that will take the Ocelots and re-locate them somewhere where they have everything they need and where humans aren't allowed to hunt or take over the territory. Also, are that is not being occupied, will be turned into homes for the Ocelots and thus, will help the population raise. I want to make it illegal in Latin America to hunt these animals, so we could keep the population going.

Wow, That's Horrible. What Has Been Done to Protect Them?

Well the San Antonio Zoo is introducing a program where they want to breed Ocelots and later introduce them into the wild.

Also, laws have banned the hunting of Olecots; I'm not exactly sure of what these laws were but they have made it illegal to pouch Ocelots. However, in Latin America it is still legal.

Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute in Texas has also helped, they have been trying to find new habitats for them to live in and to avoid Ocelots crossing highways to get to other places.

Another Video on the Ocelots!

How Many Are Left and What Has Caused Them to Be Endangered?

Well, sadly the population has changed over the years. The Ocelots lived in the USA, as I said before particularly in Arizona and Texas. They have also been found living in parts of South and Central America (except Chile). Now there are about 100 Ocelots living in the USA.

Why are they endangered? Well as I mentioned before, many people hunt Ocelots for their fur. Although a law was passed against it, it is still legal in parts of Latin America

However, the main reason that the Ocelots are endangered is because of habitat destruction and deforestation. 95% of their habitat has been destroyed because of land being cleared to build homes and do projects of other sort. Also, the reduction of the thorny brush has allowed the Ocelot to be more vulnerable to other animals and of course, humans D: Also in Texas, there have been reports about cars running over Ocelots.

Okay Johanna, I see How the Ocelot Are and How They Live; But Tell Me: Why Are They So Important to Save?

By far, I have to say that is the best question yet blogger! Why should you help save the Ocelot? What does the Ocelot offer to our ecosystem that other animals can't provide?

Well, besides the fact that the Ocelot have played an important role in their own species by advancing their survival, reproducing, and maintaning their species alive. . .BEFORE.

Later on, I will explain why the Ocelot have become so endangered. The Ocelot haven't just kept their species alive, they also have helped maintained a balance by limiting the population of rodents, rabbits, monkeys, and other animals that they eat. Without the Ocelot alive, the population of those animals would be thriving and that's not good. The Ocelot have also been valued for their beautiful fur. About 200,000 of the species was hunted, until a law stopped it.

the Beautiful Ocelot, Take A Look!

Ocelots' Reproduction

To the right, you can see a baby Ocelot. Isn't it adorable? I think so :]]

ANYWAYYY, the usual time that Ocelots are born is during the months of September, October, and November. Their gestation period is about 70-90 days and the average kittens that an Ocelot has is about 1 or 2. The kittens are born once every two years and their growth rate is very slow compared to other animals. The Ocelot kittens remain with the mother for a few weeks, and once it becomes a few months older, they are off to hunt with Mama Ocelot. After months have passed, the Ocelot is now ready and abandons its mother to live on it's own ):

How Does the Ocelot Manage to Survive?

All animals have specific adaptations that help them survive in their habitat and their everyday lives. Let's take a look at the Ocelot's adaptations:

- The Ocelot's coat resembles pattern of light passing through a brush, therefore allowing the Ocelot to blend in with its surroundings.

-Ocelots have small ears but have excellent hearing.

-Retractable claws help them seize and hold their prey.

-As you can see in the picture, the Ocelot's big eyes which helps them when hunting. They also have good night vision which comes in handy since they are nocturnal animals.

-Strong legs help when it comes to catching their prey because they move quickly and quietly.

Proper APA Citation(s)

So this is where I got my information for all my posts:

Glenn, C. R. 2006. "Earth's Endangered Creatures" (Online). Accessed 2/19/2010 at http://earthsendangered.com.

Deirdre Elson, WhoZoo.(2001) Accessed 2/19/10 at http://WhoZoo.org/Intro2001/direlso/DLE_Ocelot.html

Ocelot.(2008, September 12). New World Encyclopedia. Retrieved 1:43 February 20, 2010 from http://newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/ocelot?oldid=805686

So Johanna, Where Exactly Can They Be Found?

That is an excellent question fellow blogger =)

These Ocelots can be found in the USA, particularly in Arizona and Texas. Also they've been found in Central and South America. These animals prefer to live in dense areas. However, they can survive in various different regions so I wouldn't say there is a certain "requirement" to where they can live. "From dense thorn to mountainous regions and tropical forest" says the Earth's Endangered Creatures website( which you will see below listed in it's Proper APA Citation) ANYWAYYYY, these animals are usually found living on their own but have been discovered living with other Ocelots of the same gender. However, don't take their friendliness too seriously; they are very defensive animals and have shown to be territorial if someone has tried to trespass their home. Also, their diet consists of rabbits, rodents, pacarana, pacas, agouti, young peccaries, monkeys, lesser anteater,iguanas, tree lizards, frogs, crabs, and small turtles.

What's The Ocelot?

Such a cute and cuddly animal right? So how could someone let it become endangered? Better yet, will people let it become extinct?

Other names? Painted Leopard, Tigrillo, and Felisa Pardalis :]

The Ocelot, or scientifically known as the Leopardus Pardalis, is animal that could be found in Mexico, South and Central America. These beautiful animals can weigh about 25 pounds and grow to be 5 feet. As you can see in the picture to the left, their body resembles a jaguar. The Ocelot's body can range from a yellowish to grey color and covered with black patches all over.