"'" CARD 71

SOUTHERN FLYING SQUIRREL

______________________________ G_R_O_U_P_l_=_M_A_M __
... ORDER
'IIIIIIIIIII Rodentia
FAMILY
Sciuridae
GENUS & SPECIES
Glaucomys volans
The southern flying squirrel looks like a small rodent when it
moves along the branches of a tree, but when it glides through
the air, it appears to have the grace of a bird.
KEY FACTS
SIZES
Length: Body, 6 in. Tail, 4 in.
Weight: Up to 6' oz.
BREEDING
Sexual maturity: 1-2 years.
Breeding season: January to
March ..
Gestation: 40 days.
No. of young: 2-6.
LIFESTYLE
Habit: Nocturnal (sleeps by day).
Solitary in summer but lives in
groups of up to 24 during winter.
Call: A musical chirping sound or
a squeal when threatened.
Diet: Nuts, seeds, fruit, insects,
spiders, and birds' eggs.
Lifespan: Up to 10 years.
RELATED SPECIES
The northern flying squirrel,
Glaucomys sabrinus, also from
North America, is often regarded
as the same species.
Range of the southern flying squirrel.
DISTRIBUTION
Throughout eastern North America from Canada to Mexico in
areas where there are forests of various species of tall trees.
CONSERVATION
The southern flying squirrel is in no danger of extinction while
the North American forests are still standing. It is an adapt-
able animal that can live near human populations.
HOW THE SOUTHERN Fl VING SQUIRREL GLIDES
The flying squirrel.controls its flight with
great precision. Before takeoff, it sizes up
its target and judges the range and
direction. It then leaps with limbs and
membrane outstretched, gliding down
through the branches.
Just before landing, it
lifts its tail and swoops
upward, landing on the
tree trunk with all four
feet.
MCMXCIIMP BV/ IMP INC WILDLIFE FACT FILETM
This figure (right)
shows how the
flying membrane
covers the body
and is attached to
the wrists and
ankles and to the
extensions from
the elbows.
__
A thin cartilage stretches from fore-
limbs to neck on each side of the
squirrel 's body, forming an aerody-
namic leading edge along the
membrane. The squirrel uses its
forelimbs to alter
the shape and
tension of the
membrane,
thereby
increasing or
decreasing lift on
each side so it
can steer itself.
PRINTED IN U.S.A.
0160200141 PACKET 14
A flying squirrel does not fly in the true sense
of the word. It does not have wings to power itself
through the air like a bird. Instead, it glides for long
distances, traveling from tree to tree by extending
a fur-covered membrane that is attached to its
hind and forelegs.
~ HABITS
Flying squirrels live in tall
trees in the forests of North
America. By gliding through
the air among the trees, they
avoid ground predators but
are still vulnerable to attack by
hawks. Flying squirrels feed at
night, but they must remain
alert to the presence of owls,
which also prey upon them.
At dawn flying squirrels
return to hollow trees, aban-
doned woodpecker holes, or
outbuildings and spend most
of the day sleeping. The
number of squirrels in an area
depends on the supply of suit-
able places to rest and sleep
during the day.
In summer individual squir-
rels have their own resting
places, but in winter they
sleep in groups of 20 or more
for warmth. During very cold
weather the flying squirrels
become lethargic and may
emerge only to eat the food
they gathered in the fall.
Above: At
night the
squirrel leaves
its tree to
forage for
food.
Left: The flying
squirrel can
glide through
the air for up
to 160 feet
before landing.
Right: The
squirrel's
chisel-like front
teeth enable it
to crack the
hard shells of
nuts and seeds.
-----'
BREEDING
Approximately 40 days after
mating, the female squirrel
gives birth to two to six
young in a nest she makes in
a hole in a tree.
By the time the young are
weaned at two months, they
have already made short
exploratory flights with their
mother. As they mature,
they follow her on nightly
foraging trips. Fewer than a
third of all young squirrels
survive their first year.
~ FOOD &: FEEDING
Flying squirrels feed on most
types of vegetation. In addi-
tion to nuts and seeds, they
eat buds, shoots, soft fruit,
lichens, and fungi. They also
eat insects, spiders, and birds'
eggs and nestlings.
Flying squirrels have large
eyes that allow them to see
clearly in the dark. Their keen
eyesight, their acute hearing,
and their long, sensitive whisk-
ers, enable them to locate
food.
Most of their food is eaten
immediately, but nuts and
seeds are often hoarded to be
eaten later during the cold
winter months. The squirrels'
instinct to store food becomes
stronger as fall approaches.
DID YOU KNOW?
Flying squirrels usually glide
from tree to tree but often
make sharp, acrobatic turns in
I
the air before landing.
The membrane's bulk makes
l
flYing squirrels relatively awk-
ward when on the ground.
Australasian marsupials
Right: New-
born squirrels
are naked,
blind, and
helpless for the
first few weeks
of life. But they
already have
well-developed
flying mem-
branes.
called gliders use the same
technique for moving
through the forest canopy,
but they are not related to
flying squirrels.
The giant Southeast Asian
species of flying squirrel can
glide 350 feet.
""'CARD 72
SAANEN DOMESTIC GOAT
______________________________ __
ORDER
Artiadacytla
FAMILY
Bavidae
GENUS &: SPECIES
Capra hircus
The Soanen domestic goat is world-renowned for its high
milk production and friendly, docile nature. Short-legged,
and usually hornless, it typifies the modern domestic goat.
KEY FACTS
SIZES
Height: 28-32 in. at shoulder.
Weight: Does, 130 lb. Bucks,
1751b.
BREEDING
Sexual maturity: Does, from
about 6 months. Bucks, 3 months.
Breeding season: September to
February.
Gestation: 150 days.
No. of young: Usually 2, but 1 or 3
not uncommon.
LIFESTYLE
Habit: Sociable, inquisitive.
Diet: Fibrous, woody vegetation,
herbs, and grass, usually supple-
mented with vitamins.
Lifespan: 14-15 years.
RELATED SPECIES
Related to all other breeds of goat,
the Saanen has provided the
foundation stock for a number of
hybrids.
Range of the Saanen domestic goat.
DISTRIBUTION
First bred in western Switzerland, the Saanen has been
exported to most countries in central and northern Europe,
and to North America, South Africa, Australia, and Japan.
CONSERVATION
As the demand for goat's milk is growing, purebred Saanens
and Saanen hybrids are becoming widespread. Breed purity
is maintained by national breed societies.
FEATURES OF THE SAANEN DOMESTIC GOAT
Horns: The farmer usually removes the horns soon
after a Saanen kid's birth. It is rare today for horns to be
Coat: The Saanen has a pure white
short-haired coat.
selectively bred out.
Beard: Most
Saanens have
a long, white J'
beard.
Neck tassels: Some Saanens have
two small , hairy buds on each side of
the neck (not shown here) .
MCMXCI IMP BV/IMP INC WILDLIFE FACT FILETM PRINTED IN U.SA
Milk yield: A
Saanen produces
an average yield of
400 gallons a
year. The two
teats are angled
slightly forward
and outward to
enable the kids to
. s4ck1e.
The 5aanen domestic goat is a modern breed
of goat raised especially for its milk. Its ancestors,
some of the first animals to be domesticated by man,
were raised chiefly for their meat and skin. Although
less hardy than other goats, it is favored
for its easy-going temperament.

Man first domesticated the
goat in southwestern Asia
9,000 years ago, but the
Swiss were the first to de-
velop the modern milk goat
300 years ago.
In Asia, the domesticated
goat was raised mainly for its
meat and skin. Only in the
more fertile countries of
Europe was it discovered
that it could be bred to pro-
duce large milk quantities.

Since the Saanen is bred
solely for its milk, most goat
farmers keep only females,
called does. The males, or
bucks, are expensive to
maintain and, by mating
with its own offspring,
would give rise to inbreed-
ing. So once a year, small-
scale goat breeders must
take their does to a stud
buck to be mated. Artificial
insemination is often used
on large farms.
The doe comes into estrus
every three weeks between
September and February. A
female kid (young goat)
comes into estrus her first
year, but is usually not
mated until she is 18 months
old. Ideally, the doe will be
The breeding of those
goats with the highest daily
milk yield and longest lacta-
tion periods led to the crea-
tion of the Saanen.
Today the Saanen is among
the most productive of all
milk goats, capable of pro-
ducing over 400 gallons of
milk a year. The Saanen has
been crossed with various
breeds to produce hybrids for
even higher milk yields.
mated in November or
December, so that her kids
will be born in the spring.
Twins are common and are
allowed to feed from their
mother for four days. They will
then be bottle-fed so their
mother can be milked. When

Although wild goats still roam
freely in barren, mountainous
regions throughout much of
the world, the Saanen goat
thrives best in groups of other
domesticated goats.
A long history of domestica-
tion has given this goat a mild
nature which makes it easily
manageable. Furthermore, it
dislikes cold or wet weather
and needs access to shelter at
all times, so herds are often
kept permanently indoors,
either in individual stalls or in
covered yards.
DID YOU KNOW?
The Saanen goat gets its
name from the Saane River
valley near Berne, Switzer-
land, where it was first bred.
A goat has no cutting
the kids are 10 days old, the
farmer will begin to feed them
hay. Male kids are generally
fattened and killed for their
meat at six months of age.
Below: Triplets take turns at their
mother's milk. They are suckled for
only four days.
teeth, called incisors, in its
upper jaw, but rather a hard
pad of skin.
Despite its small size, a Saa-
nen can scale a six-ft. fence.
fit MAN
The Saanen is the goat of
choice for private and com-
mercial farms alike due to its
high milk yield and easy-
going nature.
Still, before a goat can be
milked, she must first be
mated and give birth, since
she only produces milk if she
has offspring.
Serious milking usually be-
gins when the kids are a
month old. A Saanen is
milked twice a day, morning
and night, and will continue
to produce the same quantity
of milk for approximately a
year. The amount will then
begin to decrease, drying up
completely by the end of the
second year. Thus, most milk
goats are mated every year for
Fresh goat's milk tastes simi-
lar to cow's milk. It may have
an unpleasant taste when the
goat eats certain food or when
a buck is nearby.
maximum yield.
Today there is an increasing
demand for goat's milk and
goat's-milk products. Fewer
people are allergic to goat's
milk than to cow's milk, and
FOOD fit FEEDING
The goat is principally a
browser, rather than a grazer.
This means that it is specially
adapted to feed on tough,
fibrous vegetation such as
brambles, twigs, and shrubs,
rather than on grass. Unfairly
blamed for creating much of
the world's desert, the Saanen
domestic goat is often simply
the last animal to survive in
barren country.
The modern Saanen has
adapted to a diet containing a
high proportion of grass.
Where grass is in short supply,
the farmer will give the goat
extra feed such as hay, kale,
cabbages, and potatoes.
Above left: Kid nestling up to
its mother. Young does are
raised for their milk; young
males for their meat.
the lower fat content makes
it healthier and easier to
digest than cow's milk.
Below: Sa an ens being milked.
They have the highest milk yield
of any domestic goat.
"" CARD 73
OKAPI
____________________________
ORDER FAMILY .. GENUS & SPECIES
Artiodactyla Giraffidae Okapia johnstoni
The okapi, native to Africa's densest jungle, is the giraffe's closest
relative. It is so elusive that Western zoologists learned of its
existence only at the turn of this century.
KEY FACTS
SIZES
Height to shoulder: 5 ft.
Length: 6-7 ft.
Weight: 450-550 lb.
BREEDING
Sexual maturity: Females, from 1 9
months. Males, later.
Mating season: Usually May-June
or November-December, but can
occur anytime.
Gestation: 14-16 months.
No. of young: 1 .
LIFESTYLE
Habit: Solitary, or small temporary
groups.
Diet: Leaves, fruit, and seeds.
Call: Cough. Female bellows to
attract males. Young bleats.
Lifespan: Oldest captive, 33 years.
RELATED SPECIES
The okapi's closest relative is the
giraffe, the only other species in
the same family.
FEATURES OF THE OKAPI
Flank markings: Camouflage pattern on
hindquarters and legs helps to break up
the okapi's outline in the dappled light
of the forest floor.
Head: The okapi's head is shaped
like that of the giraffe, They both
have specially adapted teeth for
stripping leaves from
Okapi
MCMXCI IMP BV/IMP INC WILDLIFE FACT FILETM
Range of the okapi.
DISTRIBUTION
Found only in the equatorial rainforest of northern, central,
and eastern Zaire, near the Sudan and Uganda borders.
CONSERVATION
The okapi has had local protection since 1932, but some
hunting continues. Because the okapi's range is limited, its
future remains insecure. Its elusive nature makes it impossible
to estimate how many live in the wild.
PRINTED IN U,S.A 0160200131 PACKET 13
The okapi is built more like a zebra
than like its only relative, the giraffe.
The male possesses small horns on his forehead,
similar to those of the giraffe. They are
covered with skin that is never shed.
~ HABITAT
Active by day, the okapi pre-
fers the pathways of those
areas of forest where the
growth is thick and lush, but
not where the forest canopy
is dense. It also inhabits large
clearings in forest and bush
regions, especially where
water is close by.
The okapi has glands be-
tween its hooves that secrete a
scented substance, used to
mark its range. It has also been
observed spraying bushes with
urine. The okapi is not very
territorial, although it does
establish its own sleeping and
resting areas.
Within its habitat, the
okapi's only natural enemy is
the leopard. If confronted by
a leopard, the normally peace-
ful okapi will lash out with its
hooves in defense. Illegal
hunting by local tribesmen is
also a threat to the okapi.
~ FOOD & FEEDING
The okapi is a browser, or
grazer, and its favorite food is
young shoots of forest plants.
It also eats leaves, seeds, fruit,
and some grasses and ferns.
It feeds by grasping branches
with its long tongue and strip-
ping off the shoots, leaves, and
fruit. Like the giraffe, the okapi
has lobed canine teeth that are
a special adaptation; they help
left: With its wild population
dwindling, the okapi is usually
seen only in a zoo.
~ OKAPI & MAN
The okapi first became known
to the scientific community
through the British explorer Sir
Harry Johnston at the turn of
the century. African pygmy
tribesmen brought him part of
an okapi skin, which the Zoo-
logical Society of London later
examined. They classified the
animal as Equus johnstoni-
johnston's horse. It was only
later, when a complete skin
and some bones were exam-
it strip the leaves from trees.
The okapi cannot jump or
support itself on its hind legs
to reach high into the trees to
feed . Still, its neck, although
much shorter than that of a
giraffe, is extremely supple.
With the use of its neck and
long tongue, the okapi can
reach branches 10 feet above
the ground.
Below: The okapi reaches its
food by grasping branches with
its long, muscular tongue.
ined, that is was found that
the okapi was not, in fact,
related to the horse.
In its native habitat the
okapi is wary and elusive: its
acute hearing provides early
warning of danger, and its
effective camouflage enables
it to move about in the wild
undetected by man. There-
fore, most knowledge about
t he okapi has been learned
by observing it in zoos.
~ BREEDING
Okapis are usually solitary
animals; the males and females
come together only to mate.
Scientists believe that a female
shows her readiness to mate by
marking an area with urine.
A male attracts a female by
curling his lip and by tossing
his head to show off his white
throat. At first the female re-
sponds aggressively to his
attentions, but she eventually
mates with him.
Most births occur during the
period of maximum rainfall,
when there are plenty of new
shoots for the mother and
young to eat. The female
retreats deep into the forest to
give birth. The single young
okapi is able to stand and
suckle from its mother within
DID YOU KNOW?
Native pygmies of the Con-
go gave the okapi its name,
describing it to explorers as
okhapi.
At 14 inches, the okapi's
tongue is so long that it can
lick its eyelids to clean them.
The okapi keeps itself very
clean by licking its body. Zoo
keepers take advantage of
6 to 12 hours of birth. At this
stage, the young okapi barely
resembles its parents. In pro-
portion, its head is smaller, its
neck is shorter, and its legs are
thicker and longer.
The female okapi is very
protective of her offspring. In
her natural habitat, she hides
the youngster in the forest,
returning at regular intervals,
guided by its bleating calls.
The young okapi begins to
browse, or graze, at six weeks
but continues to suckle for at
least six months and does not
become fully independent until
it is nine months old.
Below: Early discoverers of the
okapi thought it was related to
the horse.
this habit when an okapi
needs medication by pour-
ing it over the animal's back.
The okapi licks it off at once
and ingests the medicine.
1918 was the first year an
okapi was kept in a zoo, but
it was not until the 1950s
that one was successfully
bred and raised in captivity.
COYOTE
'\
.. ORDER
"IIIIIIII Carnivora
.. FAMILY
"IIIIIIII Canidae
GENUS &; SPECIES
Canis latrans
~ A R D 7 4
A lone coyote howling at the moon has become a symbol of the
American West. But in reality coyotes are not solitary animals.
They mate for life and often hunt in packs.
KEY FACTS
SIZES
Length: Head and body, 30-40 in .
Tail, 12-16 in.
Height: 18-22 in. at shoulder.
Weight: 15-45 lb.
BREEDING
Sexual maturity: 1 year.
Mating season: January to March.
Gestation: 58-65 days.
No. of young: 2-12. Usually 6.
LIFESTYLE
Habit: Social; nocturnal predator.
Diet: Small mammals, carrion,
deer, and sheep.
lifespan: Usually about 4 years.
Up to about 22 years in captivity.
RELATED SPECIES
There are 8 other species in the
genus Canis, including the gray
wolf, C. lupus, and the domestic
dog, C. familiaris.
THE COYOTE'S DEN
Den: Site
depends on
terrain. May be
dug by parents,
stolen from a fox
or badger, or
built in a small
cave.
Pups: Remain hidden in
den while young. Parents
bring them prey to eat.
MCMXCI IMP BV/IMP INC WILDLIFE FACT FILETM
Range of the coyote.
DISTRIBUTION
Found throughout North America, from Alaska south to Costa
Rica, and as far east as New Brunswick, Canada.
CONSERVATION
Coyotes are protected in 12 states but are hunted elsewhere.
As a species the coyote is also at risk from interbreeding with
the red wolf, gray wolf, and domestic dog.
THE COYOTE AND WOLF
COMPARED
Coyote: Narrower nose pad and
more pointed ears than gray wolf.
Fur mostly beige.
Gray wolf: Larger than coyote. Fur
slightly grayer and less colorful.
\
PRINTED IN U.S.A. 0160200341 PACKET34
Unlike most other large North American predators,
the coyote has actually increased
its range since European settlers arrived on the
continent. Relying on its ability to adapt to new
habitats and live on varied foods,
it has survived extensive
hunting by fur trappers and sheep farmers.

The coyote ranges from icy
Alaska to Costa Rica. It can
adapt to many habitats but is
most at home in open grass-
land and thinly wooded bush.
In its preferred terrain, it
marks off its territory with
COYOTE & MAN
Indirectly, human beings
have helped to increase the
coyote's numbers. By getting
rid of the wolf in much of the
United States and thinning
or eliminating many forests,
they have made it possible for
the coyote to extend its range
further east.
But people also hunt
coyotes for their attractive
pelts and to prevent them
urine and uses its howl and
other loud calls to warn off
intruders. In other habitats
coyotes live a more nomadic
life. In some areas they stay in
the hills in summer and move
to valleys in winter.
from killing sheep. During the
early 1970s, up to 100,000
coyotes a year were trapped,
poisoned, or shot from air-
planes in the West. In 1977
the fur industry alone took
more than 320,000 pelts
throughout North America.
Today, however, the coyote
is protected in 12 states and
hunting is regulated in much
of North America.
DID YOU KNOW?
The coyote's name
sounds Spanish, but it
comes from the ancient
Aztec word coyotl.
Coyotes use at least
ten distinct sounds to
communicate in addition
to their familiar high-
pitched howl.
The coyote is also
known as the prairie or
brush wolf.
Coyotes and badgers
sometimes cooperate in
finding food. A coyote
sniffs out rodents and then
leads a badger to the bur-
row. The badger digs the
burrow open and the two
share the prey.
Left: The coyote's thick pelt
protects it from cold in the
northern parts of its range.
FOOD & HUNTING
Coyotes hunt mostly at night
and can adjust their hunting
technique to suit their prey
and the environment. They
are almost exclusively car-
nivorous, with jackrabbits,
ground squirrels, and other
small rodents making up
more than 90 percent of
their diet.
Like foxes, coyotes usually
stalk their prey and then
pounce on it. Coyotes also
pursue large animals such as
deer and elk in small packs of
around six. Like wolves, they
work together to track down,
harass, and kill these larger
prey. But their packs are far
less stable than wolf packs
since they usually consist of a
breeding pair and the young

Coyotes usually mate for life,
but those that live longer
than average often have more
than one partner.
During the breeding sea-
son, the female is in heat
(ready to mate) for about 10
days. After mating, she looks
for a secluded place to make
a den. Depending on the
terrain, the den may be in a
burrow dug by both parents,
stolen from a fox or badger
and enlarged, or hidden in a
cave or dense thicket.
The pups are born after a
two-month gestation period
and are nursed for up to
seven weeks. At about three
weeks they begin to eat solid
food that has been regur-
gitated by the parents.
The pups are fully grown
at about nine months and
still in their parents' territory.
Coyotes feed on already-
dead animals (or carrion) as
sexually mature at one year,
although many wait until
their second year to mate.
Where food is plentiful,
young coyotes may remain
with their parents and hunt in
a pack. But these packs
seldom last long. When the
well as live prey. In some
areas already-dead cattle and
sheep make up half their diet.
Above: A coyote pup hunts its
own food at an early age and is
sexually mature at one year.
young mature, competition
within the family forces them
to leave. They typically travel
more than 90 miles to estab-
lish territories of their own.
Below: A coyote family works
together to guard a dead animal
from other scavengers.
1----- -- - ---
1
I I
""" CARD 75
WILDEBEEST
~ ~ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
~
ORDER
Artiodactyla
FAMILY
Bovidae
GENUS & SPECIES
Connochaetes taurinus & C. gnou
The wildebeest is an odd-looking animal. It has the head of an ox,
the mane and tail of a horse, and the horns of a buffalo,
but it is actually a kind of grazing antelope.
KEY FACTS
SIZES
Height: At shoulder, 3 - 4 ~ ft.
Length: Head and body, 5-8 ft.
Tail, 14-22 in.
Weight: Males, 400-600 lb.
Females, 300-360 lb.
BREEDING
Sexual maturity: 2-3 years.
Breeding season: February to
April in South Africa; April to May
in the Serengeti.
Gestation: 8-9 months.
Number of young: Usually 1 .
LIFESTYLE
Habit: Lives in herds; often
migratory; active by day.
Diet: Grasses and succulents.
Lifespan: 21 years in captivity.
RELATED SPECIES
Relatives include the bontebok,
Damaliscus dorcas, and the
hartebeest, Alcephalus busephalus.
Range of blue wildebeest. Range of black wildebeest.
DISTRIBUTION
Blue wildebeest are found from Kenya to northern South
Africa. Black wildebeest are found only in South Africa.
CONSERVATION
The blue wildebeest is numerous and widespread, with an
estimated 350,000 roaming the Serengeti plains. The
black wildebeest was nearly wiped out in the 19th century,
but its numbers have now risen to around 4,000.
FEATURES OF THE BLUE AND BLACK WILDEBEEST
Black wildebeest: Dark blackish
brown in color, with tufts of stiff hair
on the face, a bearded throat and
chest, and a whitish mane.
MCMXCI IMP BV/ IMP INC WILDLIFE FACT FILET ... PRINTED IN U.S.A.
Blue wildebeest: Slate gray in color,
with darker stripes across the
forequarters. A bristly face and black
r white beard on the throat.
There are two species of wildebeest. The black
wildebeest, also called the white-tailed gnu, is found
only in South Africa. The blue wildebeest, known
as the brindled gnu, ranges from Kenya to
northern South Africa.
HABITS
Although it looks frightening,
the horned wildebeest is
neither aggressive nor par-
ticularly dangerous. When
approached, it will stab the
ground with its horns, stamp
its hooves, and thrash its tail
menacingly. It may even low-
er its head and pretend to
charge. But if this display fails
to stop the intruder, the
wildebeest will retreat and
then repeat its performance
from a safe distance.
Territorial battles between
males involve a similar con-
DID YOU KNOW?
The name gnu comes from
a Bushman word for the
wildebeest's bellow.
Only one in every six
calves survives its first year.
Both males and females
have horns, although the
male's horns are thicker and
frontation. Trespassers are
first threatened with loud
bellowing calls. If this warn-
ing is ignored, the pair meets
in a head-to-head trial of
strength. Horns may lock,
but the fights are rarely
bloody.
The wildebeest's usual
response to danger is flight.
Wildebeest live in herds of up
to 100 animals. If a herd
member spots danger, such
as a pride of lions out hunt-
ing, it sounds a warning and
the whole herd flees.
heavier than the female' s.
The largest known wilde-
beest horns measure 33
inches across.
To groom itself, the wilde-
beest rubs its face either on
the ground or against a tree
or partner.

The breeding habits of the
wildebeest vary depending
on whether it belongs to a
traveling herd. Traveling
herds contain animals of all
ages and both sexes. The
mature male may establish a
breeding territory and mate
with any females entering it.
Sedentary (nontraveling)
wildebeest tend to be more
organized. Females with
young form separate herds of
10 to 1,000. Males leave the
female herds when they are
about a year old and join
separate bachelor groups. At
the age of three or four the
male leaves the group and
attempts to establish
FOOD &: FEEDING
The wildebeest lives in fertile
plains and open woodland,
where it grazes on short
sweet grass. A taste for this
type of grass often leads the
wildebeest to recently burned
areas, where the fire has
cleared the tall, dry scrub,
allowing shorter grass to
grow. The wildebeest may
also follow behind other
grazing animals that eat the
Above: In the
dry season
wildebeest often
travel up to 30
miles to find
water.
Right: During
the herd's
migration,
many die in
fast-flowing
rivers.
territories of his own. These
territories may be held only
briefly while the female herd
is passing, or they may be
maintained for many years. A
male will then attempt to
mate with any mature female
that enters his territory.
The young are born at the
beginning of the rainy season
when food is most abundant.
A wildebeest calf can stand
within 15 minutes of birth
and can run shortly after.
Until the calf is weaned, at
about nine months, it stays
close to its mother for protec-
tion. But the calves are easy
prey for large predators such
as lions, and many die.
taller, coarser vegetation. It
also eats succulent plants and
browses on karroo bushes.
It begins grazing soon after
sunrise, rests briefly at mid-
day, and continues feeding
until sunset.
Although wildebeest are
known for their seasonal
migrations, not all wildebeest
migrate. If there is a constant
supply of fresh green grass,
Right: Males
clash horns in
a territorial
battle.
Below: Calves
stay near their
mothers for
nine months.
they remain in the same area
all year. Only when there is
severe seasonal drought does
the wildebeest migrate in
search of food. Herds of over
1,000 animals may then
thunder over the plains,
raising dark clouds of dust
visible for many miles. Hun-
dreds die on these journeys.
Many drown as they try to
cross fast-flowing rivers.
WILDEBEEST &: MAN
The wildebeest is hunted
for its skin, which makes a
durable leather, and its tail,
which is used to make fly
swatters called chowries.
Some hunters also shoot
wildebeest for sport.
During the 19th century
the Boer farmers killed black
wildebeest to provide meat
for their workers and turned
the hides into bags, belts,
and other accessories. The
massacre continued until
1870, when only 600 of
the animals remained. The
species was saved by two
Boer landowners, who kept
breeding herds on their
lands, thus enabling the
population to recover.
Because the wildbeest has
the same diet as domestic
cattle, it is seen as compe-
tition for grazing land in
some areas.
'" CARD 76
INDIAN FLYING FOX
, , ~ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ~
~
ORDER
Chiroptera
FAMILY
Pteropidae
GENUS & SPECIES
Pteropus giganteus
The Indian flying fox is one of the largest of all bats and has a
wingspan of more than four feet. It does not prey on animals, feed-
ing, instead, almost exclusively on a variety of fruit. '
"'I KEY FACTS
I ~ I SIZES
<S7 Length: 12 in.
Wingspan: 50 in.
Weight: Male, 3-4 lb.
Female, 2 lb.
BREEDING
Sexual maturity: 1-2 years.
Breeding season: July to October.
Gestation: 140-150 days.
No. of young: 1; twins rare.
LIFESTYLE
Habit: Roosts in colonies; active at
night.
Diet: Mangos, guavas, bananas.
Lifespan: Usually 15 years.
Maximum recorded in captivity,
31 years 4 months.
RELATED SPECIES
There are over 60 species of flying
fox in the genus Pteropus, includ-
ing P. vampyrus, the largest of all
bats. All are closely related to each
other.
Range of the Indian flying fox.
DISTRIBUTION
Widespread from the Maldive Islands of the Indian Ocean
through Pakistan, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Burma.
CONSERVATION
The Indian fox is less endangered than many of the less
numerous island species of flying fox, but its numbers have
been reduced where it has been hunted extensively and
where its habitat has been destroyed.
FEATURES OF THE INDIAN FLYING FOX
Hind feet: Its
hind feet have
long claws that
enable it to
hang from
branches while
it roosts and
feeds.
Eyes: Somewhat large for a bat.
It does not use echolocation to
navigate in the dark, as do other
species of bat but relies on its
excellent vision instead.
Hearing: Its
hearing is acute.
The female can
identify her young
by its call.
Wings: Its wings are longer and broader than those of
most insect-eating bats and enable the flying fox to fly
more powerfully. The wings are jointed in several
places, and the bat wraps them around itself for
warmth and protection while it is roosting.
MCMXCI IMP BV/ IMP INC WILDLIFE FACT FILETM PRINTED IN U.SA. 0160200151 PACKET 15
The Indian flying fox was named
for the shape of its head and its reddish brown fur,
which resemble those of a fox. Flying foxes are the
largest of all bats and are found widely throughout
Asia and Australia.
~ HABITAT
The Indian flying fox lives in
tropical forests and swamps,
primarily in coastal areas.
Where it does live inland, the
bat is seldom found far from
large areas of water. It is wide-
spread throughout the Indian
subcontinent and is also found
on the Maldive Islands.
The Indian flying fox is one
of the larger species of flying
fox bats, and its strong flying
ability has enabled it to
colonize many of the islands
throughout the Indian and
Pacific oceans. Many species of
flying fox are, in fact, found
only on specific island groups.
It is likely that their ancestors
flew to the islands from the
mainland or were blown there
by strong winds.
By day the Indian flying fox
roosts in communal sites,
called camps, hanging upside
down in a large tree. Favored
roost sites are often used for
I DID YOU KNOW?
During flight the bat
extends its legs outward to
expand the span of its wing
membrane.
Bats need more water than
do other mammals of the
same size because they lose a
lot of moisture through their
wings.
many years, and the trees
become stripped of bark and
foliage by the bats' sharp
claws. The camps also have a
musky odor that is character-
istic of flying foxes.
During the day the bats are
noisy and active. Camps may
contain several hundred to
The largest bat in the
world is a flying fox called
the Kalong, which has a
wingspan of nearly five feet.
One reason that bats roost
upside down is so they can
take flight easily-by simply
letting go with their feet.
The flying fox is a strong
~ FOOD & FEEDING
As darkness grows near, the
Indian flying fox becomes in-
creasingly restless. It leaves the
roost with a group of other
bats, and they fly to a feeding
site that may be as far as 30
miles away. The Indian flying
Above: The flying fox spends
its day in the roost, leaving at
dusk to feed.
several thousand flying foxes.
Within the roost there is often
a pecking order whereby the
more dominant males occupy
the best roosting sites.
swimmer and crosses rivers
using its wings as flippers.
Fruit-eating bats pollinate
flowers and distribute their
seeds.
Flying foxes sometimes drink
sea water, possibly to obtain
minerals absent from their
sugary diet.
fox finds its way through the
dark not by sound, as insec-
tivorous (insect-eating) bats
do, but by sight and smell . Its
eyes are far larger than those
of most bats and more closely
The Indian flying fox breeds
from July to October. Mating
takes place in the roost. In-
dian flying foxes do not form
strong pair bonds, and males
mate with any adult females
roosting nearby. After five
months-a long pregnancy
for such a small mammal-
the female gives birth to a
single offspring. The young
bat emerges feet first.
The newborn is in a far
more advanced state than are
most other types of bat of the
~ Fl VING FOX & MAN
Despite its large size, the In-
dian flying fox is less feared
than other types of bats, such
as the vampire bat. Rather than
preying on animals, the Indian
flying fox eats only fruit.
While it once fed mainly on
wild fruit, the bat now increas-
resemble those of nocturnal
primates.
The Indian flying fox uses its
large, flat molars to chew up a
Below: A flying fox clutches a
piece of fruit in its mouth.
same age. It is alert and its
eyes are open. It is covered
with fur and weighs as much
as nine ounces-nearly a
third as much as its mother.
The care and feeding of the
young are provided only by
the female.
For the first few weeks of its
life, the newborn clings to its
mother's breast, even when
she flies from the roost to
feed. The young bat is nursed
for five months but remains
with its mother until it is
ingly raids cultivated crops of
fruit trees, which has brought
it into conflict with man. In
some areas it has posed such
a threat to fruit farmers that it
has been poisoned.
The Indian flying fox is also
hunted in parts of Pakistan for
variety of fruit to obtain the
juice. Very soft fruit such as
bananas is swallowed, but
usually the bat spits out the
fruit pulp and seeds once it
has extracted all the juice.
The Indian flying fox also
feeds on the juice and pollen
of various tree flowers. Be-
cause the fruit on trees in
a tropical forest does not
ripen according to season,
the bat must determine
which trees have fruit about
to ripen. Where the fruit is
thinly scattered, the bats
spread out at the feeding site.
But more often, an entire
group of bats descends on a
few heavily laden trees and
picks them bare.
Above: Mating takes place from
July to October.
eight months old. It is fully
grown after a year but is not
sexually mature until it is
two years old.
its fat, which is used for
medicinal purposes. In the
past 50 years, many small
oceanic islands have been
almost completely deforested
and, as a result, the flying fox
populations have experienced
a decline.
CARD 77 1
EUROPEAN RABBIT
, , ~ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
~
ORDER
Lagomorpha
FAMILY
Leporidae
GENUS &: SPECIES
Oryctolagus cuniculus
The European rabbit is the type commonly sold as a pet in the
United States, yet it originated in Spain and Portugal.
KEY FACTS
I ~ I SIZES
..,., Length: Males up to 16 in. long.
Females are slightly smaller.
Weight: Males, 4 lb. Females are
slightly less.
BREEDING
Sexual maturity: 4-5 months.
Mating season: Spring and
summer primarily, but year-round
to some extent.
Gestation: 28-31 days.
No. of young: 2-8.
LIFESTYLE
Habit: Highly sociable, lives in
large communities.
Diet: Mainly grasses, clover, herbs.
lifespan: About 9 years. Continue
to breed until 6 years old.
RELATED SPECIES
The brown hare, closely related to
the European rabbit, is distin-
guished by its longer hind legs.
THE RABBIT WARREN
The warren, or burrow, which the
rabbits dig to a depth of up to 10ft.,
often covers a considerable area and
will have a number of entrances.
Inside there is a complex network of
passages and interconnecting tunnels,
as well as living quarters and nesnng
chambers. The nests are made of
grass or straw, lined itJ'l fur that ttle
female lucks from he body.
MCMXCI IMP BV/IMP INC WILDLIFE FACT FILETM
Range of the European rabbit.
DISTRIBUTION
Originally from the Iberian Peninsula and northwestern
Africa, but now widespread across much of Europe, eastward
to the Ukraine. Also introduced to many countries and
islands, including Australia, New Zealand, and Chile.
CONSERVATION
There are over 50 species of rabbits and hares worldwide.
Their numbers are controlled and they are in no danger.
PRINTED IN U.S.A. 0160200111 PACKET 11
Able to adapt to almost any type of habitat,
the sociable European rabbit lives in underground
colonies that can be very large. So great
are their numbers that they are considered
pests in many parts of their range.

the safety of its burrow.
When it senses danger, the
animal sounds a warning to
other rabbits by thumping
the ground with both hind
feet before running off.
RABBIT &: MAN
Because the rabbit causes
extensive damage to crops
and gardens, it is considered a
pest by most farmers, many
of whom kill rabbits to re-
move them from their land.
In the 1950s, the wild rabbit
population was dramatically
reduced by an outbreak of the
disease myxomatosis. The
near-elimination of the rabbit
had far-reaching ecological
consequences in ,some areas,
'0 since the rabbits naturally
.::J
controlled the spread of
E
unwanted plants, such as
o
Mainly nocturnal, the rabbit
spends most of the day un-
derground, emerging from
the burrow at dusk. Because
it has so many natural pred-
ators, it is constantly alert to
danger. It pauses as it
emerges from its burrow,
twitching its nose to smell
the air for the scent of pred-
ators. It never strays far from
Generally, there is a dom-
inant female in the colony,
called a doe, and she will
fight the others for the best
nest site.
gorse, bramble, and coarse

g In Australia, the rabbit pop-
ulation has increased drasti-
BREEDING
Rabbits breed continually.
Litters of five or more rabbits
are produced after a short ges-
tation. Within hours of giving
birth, the female (or doe) will
mate again. She can produce
up to seven litters a year.
Spring and summer are the
peak reproductive periods, but
breeding can start as early as
January. Beginning in August,
breeding is less intensive, and
..----------- ---------------'1 the doe often does not give
NATUREWATCH
Unlike wild rabbits found in
North America, European
rabbits live in under-
ground burrows called
warrens. Tracks in the snow
are signs that a colony lives
nearby. Also, clusters of
small, round droppings on
the ground are an indication
that a warren is close by.
<IJ
B
o
.c
CL
birth once she has conceived,
but rather reabsorbs the
FOOD &: FEEDING
Rabbits are herbivorous (plant
eating) and feed mainly on
grass, clover, and selected
herbs. In winter, when vegeta-
tion is scarce, they eat the bark
of trees.
Their preferred feeding times
are dawn and dusk. Because
rabbits have enormous
Above: A
rabbit sniffs
the air before
emerging from
its burrow.
Right: Baby
rabbits huddle
together in
the nesting
chamber.
embryos into her body.
The newborn young are
blind, deaf, and hairless.
They are born in a nest made
by the doe. After the birth,
she returns to the nest for
appetites and often feed
together in large groups,
they can cause widespread
damage to crops.
The rabbit's digestive sys-
tem is unique. Unlike cattle
and sheep, which chew to
aid digestion, the rabbit rests
in its burrow after feeding
cally. From a dozen rabbits
that were introduced there in
the 1850s, the population in
1988 numbered over 200
G million. A severe drought
occurred soon after, causing

the starving rabbits to raid
and destroy crops.
In some countries, man
"8 regards the rabbit as a game
_ ____ "'---"-....JI animal. It is also bred forfood
only a few minutes every 24
hours to suckle them. She
then leaves, covering the
nesting chamber with dirt
to protect the young from
predators.
and passes soft droppings
formed of partly digested
food. The rabbit then eats
these droppings to extract
the maximum nourishment
from the food. Afterward, the
rabbit produces hard, pellet-
like droppings which it de-
posits outside the burrow.
and sport, and it is widely
used for biomedical research.
DID YOU KNOW?
Glands under the rabbit's
chin generate a secretion
used to mark territory.
Badgers and foxes dig
young rabbits from their
burrow to kill and eat them .
In the Kerguelen Islands of
Antarctica, rabbits survive the
harsh winters by feeding on
seaweed washed ashore by
the storms.
"\ CARD 78
MOUNTAIN LION
______________________________ G_R_O_U_P_l_: _M_A_M_M_A __ LS __
",ORDER
Carnivora
",FAMILY

... GENUS &: SPECIES
Felis conc%r
Known also as the puma, cougar, and panther, the mountain lion is
a highly adaptab!e wildcat. It lives in habitats ranging from
snow-covered mountains to tropical rainforests.
KEY FACTS
SIZES
Height: ,To shoulder, 24-28 in.
Length: Head and body, 5-6 ft .
Tail length: 26-30 in.
Weight: 80-230 lb.
BREEDING
Sexual maturity: Males, at least 3
years. Females, 2 years.
Mating: Year-round. Females
usually breed once every 2 years.
Gestation: 90-96 days.
litter size: 2-6, usually 3-4.
LIFESTYLE
Habit: Solitary, generally hunt at
dawn and dusk, but active by day
in areas undisturbed by man.
Diet: Mainly deer, most wild
animals.
lifespan: Up to 1 8 years.
RELATED SPECIES
Several subspecies, two endan-
gered: Fe/is conca/or caryi (Florida)
and F.e. cougar (northeastern
North America).
Range of the mountain lion.
DISTRIBUTION
Throughout North and South America from southern Canada
to Patagonia.
CONSERVATION
The mountain lion is a protected species, but most farmers
and cattle ranchers object to its presence. Many animals are
shot to safeguard herds, in spite of evidence that mountain
lions rarely attack domestic stock.
THE MOUNTAIN LION'S AGILITY
The mountain lion is renowned for its
remarkable power, stamina, and agility. It
can easily cover 23 ft. in a single bound, 0 It
and a leap of twice this distance has been
recorded.
MCMXCI IMP BV/IMP INC WILDLIFE FACT FILETM
. "
in. the
. ' of a tree,:a mouritain 'Hop cailleap.up
. toaheight of 18 .ft. t6: land in th.e
brariches. It may then climb.upward,
. looking for a SUitable vantage:p'oirit: It .' .
: can. drop 65 ft. to 'the ground without .
' :injuring itseH,
PRINTED IN U,S.A, 0160200131 PACKET 13
Long and lean, the mountain lion is immensely
powerful and capable of killing prey such as a bear
or bison with a single bite. Although it is usually red or
brown, its coloration varies. In Patagonia, where
mountain lions are particularly large, their coats
are often red-gray or silver-gray.
~ HABITAT
Mountain lions are found in
habitats as diverse as the cold,
northern woods of Canada,
the rocky, western country of
the United States, and the
tropical rainforests of Brazil.
In Argentina, they live in the
pampas, and their range ex-
tends to the southernmost
tip of South America.
Instead of occupying a per-
manent den, mountain lions
rest and find shelter in caves,
among rocky outcrops, and
in dense vegetation. They
generally migrate from the
mountains in winter to follow
deer and other prey.
~ FOOD &: HUNTING
Mountain lions are carnivores
(meat eaters) and generally
hunt at dawn and dusk. Still,
they are active by day in areas
undisturbed by man.
Like other cats, the mountain
lion stalks its prey, sprinting
after it if it attempts to flee.
Then, pouncing on the ani-
mal's back with a powerful leap
that knocks it to the ground,
the mountain lion kills its prey
with a single bite to the nape
of the neck.
Mountain lions have large
hunting territories, and they eat
most kinds of animals. Through-
~ BREEDING
The territories of male moun-
tain lions may overlap those of
females, enabling the males to
detect when the females are
ready to mate.
During a 14-day period of
mating, a male and female will
break their normally solitary
habits to hunt together and
sleep next to each other. The
female later gives birth to two
to six kittens in a carefully
hidden den, located between
rocks or in a cave.
Blind at birth, the kittens
have spotted coats until they
are six months old. They be-
gin to take meat provided by
their mother at six weeks,
while they are still suckling.
Although they can hunt for
themselves after nine months,
they usually remain with their
mother for two years. The cubs
then leave her and may stay
together for several months
before wandering off to estab-
lish territories of their own.
out their range, however,
deer is their principal food. In
the absence of deer, they eat
anything available, including
cattle and other domestic
livestock.
Mountain lions can run very
fast over short distances, but
they tire quickly. If an animal
survives a mountain lion's first
attack, it generally escapes.
Mountain lions rarely share
hunting territories and usually
avoid each other, but they
make no attempt to defend
their own territories or take
over those of others.
Right:
Mountain lions
mate during a
14-day period.
Below: At
two weeks,
this baby
mountain lion
is covered
with soft,
dark spots
that will
later fade.
Right: In wood-
ed country,
mountain lions
do much of their
hunting in the
trees, moving
with great
agility and
speed through
the branches.
This one has
trapped a
raccoon up a
tree. Mountain
lions stalk and
eat large and
small animals.
Once common across the
western hemisphere, the
mountain lion has been erad-
icated in many areas, and its
survival is threatened.
In some areas, mountain
lions were wiped out in an
attempt to protect deer pop-
ulations. But eliminating a
natural predator disrupted
the balance of the environ-
ment. Consequently, the deer
multiplied rapidly, and their
habitat was unable to support
the large population.
DID YOU KNOW?
The mountain lion is found
over a wider range than any
other mammal in the western
hemisphere, except for man.
Mountain lions vary greatly
in size.
A mountain lion pounces so
violently that it can drag its
prey 20 feet along the ground.
ROCK WALLABY
ORDER FAMILY
Marsupia/ia Macropodidae
... GENUS
Petrogale

The rock wallaby is one of the most distinctive animals
in the Australian outback. It has many similarities
to the kangaroo but lives on rocky terrain.
KEY FACTS
SIZES
Length: Head and body, 20-30 in.
Tail, 15-28 in.
Weight: 6-20 lb.
BREEDING
Sexual maturity: 1 8 months.
Mating: Year-round when
conditions are favorable.
Gestation: 1 month, then 8
months in the pouch.
No. of young: 1 .
LIFESTYLE
Habit: Sociable.
Call: Communicates by thumping
the ground with its feet.
Diet: Grasses, as well as leaves,
bark, and roots in dry weather.
Lifespan: 14 years in captivity.
RELATED SPECIES
The ringtailed rock wallaby,
Petrogale xanthopus, and the little
rock wallaby, Peradorcas concinna.
Range of the rock wallaby.
DISTRIBUTION
Throughout the Australian mainland on rocky terrain
from coastal ranges to inland hills.
CONSERVATION
Nearly extinct over much of its range due to hunting
for its pelt during the late nineteenth and early twentieth
centuries. Conservation measures include the establish-
ment of protected areas and a breeding center.
FEATURES OF THE ROCK WALLABY
The rock wallaby belongs to the same
marsupial family as the kangaroo:
Macropodidae.
The rock wallaby
has a fluffy tail that
provides balance
when it leaps from
rock to rock. To help
it climb, its large
hind feet have sharp
claws, flexible
middle toes, and
broad, thick pads
with knobby soles.
MCMXCI IMP BV/IMP INC WILDLIFE FACT FILETM
Development of
the embryo in the
mother's womb
and of the joey
(nursing baby) in
the pouch con-
tinue only if the
female has
enough food.
Many species of rock wallaby have thick,
attractive fur that was sought by fur traders
during the late nineteenth and early
twentieth centuries. As a result, the remaining
species are now rare or almost extinct
over most of their range.

The rock wallaby lives in the
rocky deserts and the high
mountain ranges of the Aus-
tralian outback.
The wallaby shelters in deep,
hidden crevices in the rocks.
The rocks leading to the hid-
ing places are often worn
smooth by generations of
wallabies using the same trail.
The brushtailed rock wal-
laby lives in the mountainous
region of eastern New South
Wales. One species living on
an island, at the eastern end
of the Great Australian Bight,
is at home either in the is-
land's rocky interior or on
the seashore among boulders
washed by the surf.

The rock wallaby breeds all
year when there is adequate
food. During intense drought,
when food supplies are scarce
and the female cannot pro-
duce milk for her young, she
abandons the joey (nursing
baby).
If the female with a joey in
her pouch becomes pregnant,
the new embryo in her womb
does not develop until her
pouch is empty. The develop-
ment of the embryo is also
delayed in periods of drought.
When the rains return, the
embryo immediately develops,
the joey is born, and it makes
its way into its mother's pouch.
She then mates again, and
another fertilized egg begins to
develop.
Right: As soon as this joey leaves
the pouch, another is born to
take its place.
Left: There are
few places as
inhospitable as
the rocky
regions of the
Australian
outback. But
the rock
wallaby has
adapted to the
harsh environ-
ment.
Right: No rock
is too steep for
the agile rock
wallaby. But,
away from the
rocks, it moves
slowly and
awkwardly.
During hot weather the rock
wallaby spends much of the
day resting in the shade. In
the cooler early morning and
evening hours it may travel
long distances from the rocks
in search of grass, which
forms the major part of its
diet. On cool days the rock
wallaby spends much of its
time eating.
When disturbed, the rock
wallaby stands rigidly, then
shows its unease by beat-
ing its feet once or twice on
the ground to warn other
DID YOU KNOW?
The rock wallaby had no
natural enemies in Australia
until European foxes were
introduced in the nineteenth
century. Faster and more
cunning than the native
dingoes (wild dogs), foxes
killed many wallabies.
The first settlers in Australia
thought the rock wallaby was
a cat because it climbed so
quickly and agilely.
The rock wallabies that live
in the northern parts of West-
ern Australia have thin, short
hair to avoid overheating in
the hot, tropical climate.
Because the brushtailed
rock wallaby has dull brown
fur, it is not hunted for its
pelt like other species with
more delicate coloration.
The rock wallaby is not
found in either Tasmania or
New Guinea.
wallabies. When it is very
alarmed, the wallaby disap-
pears among the rocks, leap-
ing from one to another in
a single bound.
Unlike its close relative,
the tree kangaroo, the rock
wallaby cannot climb trees.
OCELOT
ORDER
Carnivora
FAMILY
Felidae
GENUS & SPECIES
Felis pardalis
The ocelot is a small nocturnal cat found in North and South
America. The pattern and color of its coat allow it to blend in with
its scrubland and forest habitats.
"'l KEY FACTS
~ SIZES
~ Body length: 25-40 in.
Tail length: 10-16 in.
Weight: 25-35 lb.
BREEDING
Sexual maturity: 6-8 months.
Mating: Once or twice a year,
depending on location.
Gestation: 70 days.
Litter size: 2-4 kittens.
LIFESTYLE
Habit: Solitary or may live in pairs.
Coat color: Varies from rich yellow
to gray, depending on habitat.
Underside speckled white. Ringed
tail.
Lifespan: 17 years in captivity.
Unknown in wild.
RELATED SPECIES
There are 28 species of small
wildcat found worldwide, with the
exception of Australasia and the
polar regions.
Range of the ocelot.
DISTRIBUTION
Ocelots range from Arizona in North America to Argentina in
South America.
CONSERVATION
Ocelots have long suffered from extensive hunting for their
valuable pelts. More recently, the ocelot received full protec-
tion from hunters under international law, and commercial
trade is now banned.
THE OCELOT'S COAT COMPARED WITH OTHER CATS'
Camouflage: Dark blotches on a rich
golden brown or silver-gray base color.
Perfect for the equatorial forests that
form its habitat. Shown below right are
pelt comparisons with the leopard and
cheetah. Each cat is suited to its own
lmvironment; the leopard to the dry
forest, and the cheetah to the
id savanna.
MCMXCI IMP BV/IMP INC WILDLIFE FACT FILETM PRINTED IN U.S.A us P 6001 12010 PACKET 10
The ocelot is classified as a small cat belonging
to the genus Felis, but it is one of the largest cats
in this genus. Like other small cats, it has a bare nose
and long, sensitive whiskers; but unlike a
domestic cat, it will run swiftly from danger
rather than bolt up a tree.
HABITAT
The ocelot inhabits both
scrubland and forest. Forest-
dwelling ocelots have rich,
golden-colored coats that
blend in with the golden-
brown hue of the trees.
Ocelots that live in scrubland
have duller, grayish-colored
coats that provide camou-
flage from predators.
An agile climber, the ocelot
spends much of its time rest-
ing in trees. Unlike domestic
cats that can run down trees
headfirst, the ocelot climbs
down backward.
The ocelot is territorial and
marks the boundaries of its
territory by spraying trees
with urine. Most ocelots are
solitary, but some form pairs.
Above: In unfamiliar territory,
the ocelot will rest during the
day and hunt only at night.
FOOD & HUNTING
Although its sense of smell is
highly developed, the ocelot
relies more on its hearing and
eyesight to detect prey,
which it hunts at night. The
hearing of small cats like the
ocelot is more acute than
that of larger cats, and they
are better able to pinpoint
the location of their prey. Its
whiskers are also important to
the ocelot when hunting.
They are so sensitive to touch
that they help the cat maneu-
ver in tight spaces.
The ocelot's prey includes
agoutis, hares, mice, mon-
keys, and birds. Although it
spends a lot of time in the
trees, all hunting is done on
the ground. It will lie flat on
its stomach once prey is spot-
ted. It will slowly creep for-
ward in this position and

It is not known for certain
when and how often the oce-
lot breeds. It is thought that it
breeds twice a year, in summer
and in winter.
When the breeding season
arrives, the ocelot will venture
out of its territory to find a
mate. The female starts the
courtship by calling loudly to
attract a male. During mating,
the male holds the female by
the back of the neck.
Before the kittens are born
two months later, the female
makes a well-hidden nest. This
is sometimes lined with soft
down plucked from her under-
side.
Two to four kittens are born.
As each one arrives, the moth-
er breaks the birth sac to free
then rush at the prey over a
short distance before pouncing
and catching it with its razor-
like claws. The ocelot sharpens
its claws by scratching them
the kitten. She bites off the
umbilical cord and licks the
newborn clean and dry, then
eats the afterbirth.
The kittens are born with
fur, but they are blind and
helpless for several days.
Therefore, the mother will
leave them only when abso-
lutely necessary. For the first
few weeks, the kittens feed
only on their mother's milk.
During this time, she will eat
their droppings so as to keep
the nest clean.
When the kittens are older,
the mother brings them live
prey and teaches them how
Right: The disarming beauty of
an ocelot kitten makes it, sadly,
much sought after as a pet.
against tree trunks.
The prey is killed quickly
with a bite to the neck. Small
prey is devoured headfirst, but
with large prey, the ocelot
to kill it. Later they follow her
on hunting trips to develop
their skills. Once the kittens
begins eating at a soft part of
the animal's body.
Below: With its keen senses and
powerful incisor teeth, the ocelot
is well equipped to hunt and kill.
become competent hunters,
they leave the nest to find their
own territories.
DID YOU KNOW?
In the dark, a cat's sight is
six times better than a man's.
Cats are the most carnivo-
rous of all the meat-eating
animals. They are therefore at
the top of the food chain and
have few enemies except
man.
Small cats eat by crouching
over their prey, rather than
lying down next to it as most
big cats do.
The ocelot sleeps lying
down with its forepaws
stretched out in front and its
head resting on them, much
in the same way t hat a dog
does. It is the only small cat
that sleeps in this manner.
In 1968, North American
fur traders imported a total
of 129,000 ocelot pelts.
The mountain lion is the
largest of the small cats.