ECOLOGICAL AND BEHAVIORAL CORRELATES OF OCELOT SPATIAL PATTERNS (TEXAS)

Between March 1982 and December 1984, ocelot (Felis pardalis) space-use patterns were examined with radio telemetry at two study sites in south Texas. Home ranges were estimated for several eco- logical and social contexts using four models: harmonic mean, mini- mum convex polygon, bivariate normal, and robust bivariate normal. Internal home range spatial patterns were examined using harmonic mean utilization distributions. Twelve ocelots (5M:7F) were captured 46 times. Locational observations (n = 1,555) revealed a mean composite home range of 15.18 km('2) (SD = 2.00) for resident adult ocelots. Adult male home ranges were more extensive ((')X = 17.67 km('2)) than adult female home ranges ((')X = 11.04 km('2)). Ecological Correlates. Dense brush habitat occupied a greater percentage of home range interiors (48.26% of the 0-50% utilization isopleth) rela- tive to exteriors (13.64% of the 75-95% utilization isopleth). Dense brush habitat along "resacas" frequently served as travel corridors. Home range contraction was observed during the hot summers and expansion during the milder winters. Home range correlates were not recorded with prey abundances or with microsympatric bobcats (Felis rufus). These bobcat home ranges (n = 4) were similar in size ((')X = 15.05 km('2)) to ocelot home ranges. Behavioral Correlates. Dynamic spatial relationships between two adjacent male ocelots provided strong evidence for intrasexual territoriality. Considerable intersexual overlap was documented for 3 adult pairs, with one adult male (n = 2) sometimes overlapping the home ranges of 2 adult females. Maturation and mother-offspring relationships influenced ocelot space-use. Flexibility in ocelot spatial patterns permitted a dynamic response to prevailing ecological and social environments. Three parturitions occurred between August and early December; a fourth was in late spring. Three of these parturitions were recorded for one female in a 15 month period. Growth data were obtained for two young ocelots over a 24 month period. Four mortalities (2M:2F) were recorded, two of which occurred during or shortly after disper- sal. Automobiles were known or suspected to have caused three of the four mortalities. The limited data suggested an annual mortality rate of about 29%.