Future Ocelots

The Ocelot, a spotted leopard-like animal, lives in Mesoamerica, South America where the average year round temperature is 24-28 degrees Celsius (75-82 degrees Fahrenheit). The Ocelot is twice the size and weight of a normal house cat! Due to global warming, the ocelot’s environment will get hotter. To prevent overheating, I predict that they will adapt to have less and/or shorter fur. If the Ocelot’s habitat warms up, I predict it would be harder for other plants and animals to grow and thrive, so the Ocelot will have to adapt and become smaller to consume less energy. Due to climate change, I predict that it will rain more in the ocelot’s habitat, leading it to have to be able to create shelter. I predict they will create larger burrows to not only provide shelter from the rain but to cool down when it’s very hot and provide shade.