Leopardus pardalis
A small U.S. population in south Texas brush. Occasional records in southern Arizona. Round cat track about 1.5 to 2 inches, no claws.
What does a ocelot look like?
Spotted and striped, about twice a house cat, with a long tail.
What do ocelot tracks look like?
A small clawless cat print. Without the animal, call it a small cat and use range. Bobcat is far more common.
- Round cat track about 1.5 to 2 inches, no claws
- Smaller than bobcat is not a safe split. The coat is.
- Spotted and striped coat, long tail
- Track alone will not separate it from a small bobcat
- South Texas thorn brush is the place
What does ocelot poop look like?
Small segmented droppings, often covered. Do not handle droppings. Several species carry parasites that stay in the soil around a latrine.
Where you find it
A small U.S. population in south Texas brush. Occasional records in southern Arizona. Typical places: woods. Year-round where the species lives. Tracks show best in mud, sand, and snow.
What to do next
- Watch from a distance
- Do not handle droppings
- If the animal is injured or inside a building, call a local wildlife officer
This page is a field guide, not a permit to approach wildlife. If an animal is injured, aggressive, or inside a house, call a local wildlife officer.
Animals it is confused with
- Bobcat identification
- Domestic cat identification
- All animal identification pages
- Identify an animal from a photo, track, or description
Can you identify an ocelot from tracks alone?
Not reliably. The track matches a small bobcat. The spotted coat and south Texas brush are the useful clues.
How to tell a ocelot from similar animals
Use the track, the dropping, and the place together. One print is not enough.
- Bobcat. Round, clawless, slightly wider than long. Tawny spotted cat, short bobbed tail with black bars, ear tufts small.
- Domestic cat. A miniature bobcat print. A house cat.
Ocelot field marks
- Round cat track about 1.5 to 2 inches, no claws
- Smaller than bobcat is not a safe split. The coat is.
- Spotted and striped coat, long tail
- Track alone will not separate it from a small bobcat
Where the sign shows up
A small U.S. population in south Texas brush. Occasional records in southern Arizona. Typical places: woods. Year-round where the species lives. Tracks show best in mud, sand, and snow.
A small clawless cat print. Without the animal, call it a small cat and use range. Bobcat is far more common. Small segmented droppings, often covered.
Common questions
Can you identify an ocelot from tracks alone?
Not reliably. The track matches a small bobcat. The spotted coat and south Texas brush are the useful clues.