Original artwork description:

The ocelot is a wild cat native to the southwestern United States, Mexico, and Central and South America, as well as the Caribbean islands of Trinidad and Margarita. A medium-sized cat, it is characterized by solid black spots and streaks on its coat, round ears, and white neck and undersides.

Typically active during twilight and at night, the ocelot tends to be solitary and territorial. It is efficient at climbing, leaping, and swimming. It preys on small terrestrial mammals, such as armadillos, opossums, and lagomorphs. Both sexes become sexually mature at around two years of age; they can breed throughout the year, though the peak mating season varies geographically. After a gestation period of two to three months, the female gives birth to a litter of one to three kittens. They stay with their mother for up to two years, after which they leave to establish their own territories.

The ocelot prefers areas with dense vegetation cover, high prey availability, and proximity to water sources. While it is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List, it is threatened by habitat destruction, hunting, and traffic accidents, and populations are decreasing in many parts of its range. The association of the ocelot with humans dates back to the Aztec and Incan civilizations; it has occasionally been kept by humans as a pet.

Materials used:

watercolor

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