Yes, wild leopard cats are national second-level protected animals. Due to human greed, they have been hunted in large numbers and are listed as vulnerable species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Leopard cats were once widely distributed in my country, but due to human activities, they are now extremely rare in the wild.

The ocelot is a small carnivorous animal, slightly larger than a domestic cat. It mainly inhabits mountain forest areas, suburban shrubs and near forest edge villages. It feeds on rats, squirrels, flying squirrels, etc. They also eat berries, banyan fruits and some young leaves, young grass, etc. They usually stay alone except during the mating season.

The body size of ocelots is roughly similar to that of domestic cats, but the differences between subspecies are relatively large. For example, the average body length of the Indonesian subspecies is 45 cm and the tail length is 20 cm, while the Siberian subspecies has a body length of 60 cm and a tail length of 20 cm. 40cm long. The fur of ocelots also comes in many colors: ocelots in the south are yellow, and those in the north are silver-gray.

Can leopard cats be kept as pets?

No! First of all, wild leopard cats are not friendly to people and generally have violent and ferocious temperaments. In an artificial breeding environment, natural instincts cannot be satisfied, and the raised food cannot meet nutritional needs, even if they are fed meat every day. Secondly, unlike domestic cats, leopard cats have no resistance to some diseases in human society. Protecting wild animals is everyone’s responsibility. For the sake of ecological environment and natural harmony, please do not capture leopard cats at will or keep them privately.