A field study of ocelots (Felis pardalis) in Peru

A population of ocelots was followed by radio-tracking in a Peruvian rain forest. Two resident adult males, two adult females, and three subadults were radio-collared, as well as two transients. Ocelots were active at any time of day, but usually they rested in the morning, became active in mid — to late — afternoon, and continued activity until after dawn the following morning, with one rest period during the night. They spent an average of 9.6 hours walking per night. Breeding females occupied mutually exclusive territories, but an old female was tolerated on their territories by her former neighbours when the latter had no dependent young. Apparent direct territorial defense by females was recorded four times. Adult males occupied large territories that overlapped three or more female ranges. Circumstantial evidence indicated that females on the study area produced young about every other year. A lactating female increased her daily activity to a maximum of 133 % above normal, to 93 % of the time, before losing her litter. It is conjectured that she was unable to sustain the foraging demands of lactation. An 80 % grown subadult female was already wandering, but two 80 % grown males occupied small ranges within their presumed mother’s territories. The disappearance of an old adult male and establishment of another coincided with changes in the status of all collared residents. Although ocelots hunted, traveled, and usually denned alone, they often met : 37 encounters between collared cats were recorded during radio-tracking. ter. It is conjectured that she was unable to sustain the foraging demands of lactation. An 80 % grown subadult female was already wandering, but two 80 % grown males occupied small ranges within their presumed mother’s territories. The disappearance of an old adult male and establishment of another coincided with changes in the status of all collared residents. Although ocelots hunted, traveled, and usually denned alone, they often met : 37 encounters between collared cats were recorded during radio-tracking.