Ocelots are twice as big as housecats. They are around 28-40 inches long, 16-20 inches tall, and weigh 24-39 pounds. Female ocelots are generally smaller than males.
Ocelots are part of the cat family. They share many similarities with housecats and other wildcats.[1]
They’re the biggest species of their genus, Leopardus. While ocelots are bigger than their cousins, the oncilla and margay, they are small compared to other wildcats, like jaguars.
But how big are ocelots really? This article provides answers to all questions about the size of ocelots, and how they compare to different types of cats.
Ocelot Size
Ocelots are the biggest of their genus known as Leopardus and the second largest spotted cat in South America. They reach up to 35 inches long and weigh up to 35 pounds. Females are generally smaller than males.
The ocelot is part of the genus Leopardus. There are eight members of this genus, and among the eight, ocelots are the biggest.
Between the ocelot and the second biggest member, Geoffroy’s cat, there’s a 22 pounds difference.[2] See a direct comparison later in the article.
Species part of the Leopardus genus:
- Ocelot
- Geoffroy’s Cat
- Andean Cat
- Margay
- Pampas Cat
- Northern Tiger Cat (Oncilla)
- Southern Tiger Cat
- Korkod (Guiña)
Their size doesn’t differ based on region. Their growth is more dependent on what they eat. Nutritious food, like organ meat from wild animals helps ocelots to grow bigger.[3]
Ocelots eat the following types of animals:
- Rodents
- Reptiles
- Amphibians
- Birds
- Fishes
- Crustaceans
- Small- to medium-sized mammals
Ocelots’ growth also depends on how much they eat. They need 21-28 ounces of meat every day to support a healthy growth. Eating less would make them malnourished and eating more would make them obese.[4]
Ocelots are the second largest spotted cats in South America. Only the jaguar is larger.[5]
How Big Are Adult Ocelots?
The size difference between female and male ocelots is insignificant. There are many cases of their size overlapping.[6]
| Gender | Length | Height |
| Male | 28-40 inches (70-100 cm) | 16-20 inches(40-50 cm) |
| Female | ~30 inches (76 cm) | 16-20 inches(40-50 cm) |
How Big Are Baby Ocelots?
Ocelot kittens are much smaller than adult ocelots, weighing about 7-12 ounces (200-340 grams) at birth. They grow quickly and mature after two years.
Ocelots grow to their final size after maturation. Males take 15 months to mature, while females mature after 18-22 months.
How Big Do Ocelots Get In Captivity?
Ocelots in captivity are the same size as their wild counterparts. Their size depends on their living conditions. Well-cared-for ocelots live up to 20 years, twice as long as ocelots in the wild.
Healthy ocelots in captivity reach about the same size as wild ocelots.
Ocelots roam a lot in the wild. That means they also need space to roam in captivity. They also need to be fed a diet similar to that of wild ocelots.
If caretakers take care of their ocelots, they will grow strong and live for up to 20 years. Wild ocelots only live for 10-13 years.[7]
Conditions ocelots in captivity need for healthy growth include:
- Huge space to move around and build muscle
- Proper food (Organic meat) to support their nutritional needs
- Supplements (For example taurine and calcium)
How Much Do Ocelots Weigh in the Wild?
Ocelots weigh around 24-39 pounds. Female ocelots weigh around 10-15 pounds less than males. Ocelot kittens weigh much less than adult ocelots, about 7-12 ounces at birth.
Ocelots’ weight depends on different factors that change from ocelot to ocelot:
- Gender
- Age
- Genes
- How much they eat
- What they eat
| Ocelot | Weight |
| Male | 24-39 pounds (10-18 kgs) |
| Female | 14.5-25 pounds (7-11 kgs) |
| Kitten | 0.44-0.75 pounds (0.2-0.34 kgs) |
How Much Do Male Ocelots Weigh?
Male ocelots weigh 24-39 pounds (10-18 kg). They’re the heaviest of all species of the genus Leopardus.
Ocelots are also the second heaviest spotted cats in South America. Only the jaguar is heavier than them.
How Much Do Female Ocelots Weigh?
Female ocelots weigh less than their male counterparts. They weigh 14.5-25 pounds (7-11 kgs).
This doesn’t mean female ocelots can’t be as heavy as males though. There have been several instances of overlapping weight ranges.
How Much Do Baby Ocelots Weigh?
Baby ocelots are called kittens. They weigh much less than adult ones. They’re born with around 7-12 ounces (200-340 grams).
After they’re weaned at 6 weeks old, they start growing quickly until adulthood.
Ocelots are considered adults at around 2 years old.
How Much Do Ocelots Weigh In Captivity?
Captive ocelots are as heavy as wild ocelots. Their diet is scientifically observed to make sure they get the exact nutrients they need.
Captive ocelots need the same amounts of food as wild ocelots, so they grow to reach the same weight. Ocelots in captivity weigh about 25-35 pounds.[8]
According to the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Library, ocelots need the following foods:
- 65% small rodents
- 18% reptiles, mostly iguanas
- 7% crustaceans and fish
- 6% medium-sized mammals
- 4% birds
Ocelot Size Compared to Different Species
Ocelots are the biggest members of their genus, Leopardus. They’re the second biggest spotted cats in South America, but they’re still small compared to other wildcats.
Ocelots are considered small cats, as they are part of the subfamily Felinae, which means “small cats”.
While they are small, ocelots are bigger than their wild cousins (other members of the Leopardus genus).
Because of their small size, ocelots hunt smaller animals. Their targets tend to be around 2.2 pounds (1 kg), less than 10% of their average body weight.
Ocelot Size Compared to Other Leopardus Species
Ocelots have eight wild cousins. All of these are smaller than the ocelot.
| Animal | Length (excluding tail) | Height | Weight |
| Ocelot | 28-40 inches (70-100 cm) | 16-20 inches (40-50 cm) | 24-39 pounds (10-18 kg) |
| Geoffroy’s Cat | ~20 inches (50 cm) | 6-10 inches (15-25 cm) | 4.4-17 pounds (2-7.8 kg) |
| Andean Cat | 22.7-33.5 inches (58-85 cm) | ~14 inches (36 cm) | ~12 pounds (5.5 kg) |
| Margay | 18-31 inches (36-79 cm) | 12-17 inches (31-43 cm) | 5-9 pounds (2-4 kg) |
| Pampas Cat | 18-30 inches (46-75 cm) | 12-14 inches (30-35 cm) | ~6.6 pounds (3 kg) |
| Northern Tiger Cat (Oncilla) | 15-23 inches (38-59 cm) | ~10 inches (25 cm) | 3.3-6.6 pounds (1.5-3 kg) |
| Southern Tiger Cat | 15-23 inches (38-59 cm) | ~8 inches (20 cm) | 4.2-5.3 pounds (1.9-2.4 kg) |
| Kodkod (Guiña) | 15-20 (37-51 cm) | 8-10 inches (20-25 cm) | 3.3-6.6 pounds (1.5-3 kg) |
Ocelot Size Compared to Housecat Size
Ocelots are generally bigger than housecats. They are taller, longer, and weigh more.
| Animal | Length (excluding tail) | Height | Weight |
| Ocelot | 28-40 inches (70-100 cm) | 16-20 inches (40-50 cm) | 24-39 pounds (10-18 kg) |
| Housecat | ~18 inches (46 cm) | 9-10 inches (23-25 cm) | 9-11(4-5 kg) |
Ocelot Size Compared to Other Wild Cats
Four other wildcats share their natural habitat with ocelots, including jaguars, cougars, bobcats, and jaguarundis. These other wild cats tend to be bigger than ocelots.
| Animal | Length (excluding tail) | Height | Weight |
| Ocelot | 28-40 inches (70-100 cm) | 16-20 inches (40-50 cm) | 24-39 pounds (10-18 kg) |
| Jaguar | 44-73 inches (112-185 cm) | 26.8-29.5 inches (68-75 cm) | 123-212 pounds (56-96 kg) |
| Cougar | 34-69 inches (87-175 cm) | 24-35 inches (60-90 cm) | 117-220 (53 to 100 kg) |
| Bobcat | 18.7-49.2 inches (47.5-125 cm) | 12-24 inches (30-60 cm) | 14-40 pounds (6.4-18.3 kg) |
| Jaguarundi | 21-30 inches (53-77 cm) | ~14 inches (36 cm) | 7.7-15.4 pounds (3.5-7 |
Ocelot Size Compared to Prey Animals
Ocelots hunt animals weighing about 2.2 pounds, but do sometimes go for bigger targets.
| Animal | Size | Weight |
| Ocelot | 28-40 inches (70-100 cm) | 24-39 pounds (10-18 kg) |
| Howler Monkey | 24-26 inches (60-65) | 15-22 pounds (7-10 kg) |
| Opossum | 13-37 inches (35-94) | 1.7-14 pounds (0.8-6.4) |
| Armadillos | 15–23 inches (38-58 cm) | 5.5–14.3 pounds (2.5–6.5 kg) |
| Mice | 1 to 7 inches (2.5-18 cm) | 0.5-1 ounce (14-28 grams) |
| Iguanas | 12-16.5 inches (30-42 cm) | ~8.8 pounds (4 kg) |
Ocelot vs. Human Size
Ocelots are twice as big as housecats, but they’re still small compared to us. They’re shorter and weigh much less than humans.
Humans are generally stronger than ocelots as well.
| Specimen | Average height/length | Average weight |
| Ocelot | 28-40 inches (70-100 cm) | 24-39 pounds (10-18 kg) |
| Adult man (USA) | ~5 feet 9 inches (175 cm) | ~197.9 pounds (89 kg) |
| Adult woman (USA) | ~5 feet 4 inches (162.5 cm) | ~170.6 pounds (77 kg) |
Conclusion
Ocelots are twice as big as housecats and the largest of their genus. They are small compared to other wildcats in their habitat. They weigh almost 10 times more than their average prey.
Ocelots’ size doesn’t differ depending on habitat. They are the same size in the wild and in captivity as well. Their gender, age, genes, and food intake defines how big they get.
FAQs
How Big Was The Biggest Ocelot Ever?
The biggest ocelot ever weighed 44 pounds (20 kg). This ocelot was recorded in 2002. It is exceptional for an ocelot to be this heavy. Regular ocelots only grow to a maximum of 39 pounds (18 kg).
How Long Are Ocelots’ Tails?
Ocelots’ tails are 11-18 inches (27-45 cm). They’re about half the size of the ocelot’s body. Tails are generally disregarded when measuring the length of ocelots.
How Big Are Ocelots Compared to Tigers?
Tigers are much bigger than ocelots. Even female tigers can weigh ten times more than adult male ocelots. Tigers and ocelots don’t meet in the wild, as tigers live in Asia and ocelots live in the Americas.
How Big Are Ocelots Compared to Dogs?
Medium-sized dogs are around the same size as ocelots. Ocelots are bigger than small dogs, like Chihuahuas. The biggest dog breed (the English Mastiff) is much bigger than the ocelot.
How Big Are Ocelots Compared to Children?
10 years old children are bigger than ocelots. They’re taller by ~15 inches and weigh more by ~35 pounds. Ocelots are more muscular than children. They’re aggressive and have sharp claws. Ocelots are capable of harming kids.
