Ocelots can live in a variety of habitats, from arid deserts to lush groves and forests. In fact, the exact hue of an ocelot's coat will depend on his or her natural habitat. But they may be too little too late. Ocelots do not have teeth appropriate for chewing, so they tear their food to pieces and swallow it whole. Endangered Species Act (ESA). Their raspy tongues can clean a bone of every last tasty morsel. Ocelots used to range from South Texas up into Arkansas and Louisiana but today there are an estimated 50 ocelots that remain in the United States, including a breeding population found on the refuge. A long with its much larger cousin, the jaguar, the ocelot is listed as Endangered under the U.S. In the United States, Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge is where you are most likely to see an ocelot, one of sixcat species found in North America.

In the United States and throughout their range, ocelots are impacted by habitat loss and fragmentation, vehicle strikes, unintentional poisoning from rodenticides, and hunting for fur and the pet trade. Ocelots that live in arid climates will have a lighter coat than those native to heavily forested areas, because it helps them blend in better. Recovery measures are under way in Texas. Ocelots: Although They’re Still A Rare Cat, The Texas Trend Is Looking Better. Only 50 ocelots remain in the United States.