Visit the south Texas plains
South Texas plains wildlife
Spotted ocelots are rare, but small numbers of them still live in the thick brushy country and woodlands of the Rio Grande Valley. They slink quietly through the brush making them difficult to observe. The thick, dense brush provides protective cover for dens of young ocelot kittens. The number of ocelots has diminished due to the growth of cities and farms that have shrunk their natural habitat. Probably less than 100 ocelots remain in this region. They primarily eat rats, mice, rabbits, snakes, and birds. Fully-grown ocelots weigh between 16 to 25 pounds.