^{Photo Credit: Andy Murch}

Ocelots are small, sleek, and incredibly beautiful wildcats. They have golden fur and are covered in bold black spots and rosettes. They’re shy and mostly active at night, so seeing one in the wild takes some luck and patience, but it’s worth the effort.

The Pantanal is probably your best bet if you’re hoping to catch a glimpse of one.

Unlike the thick Amazon jungle, the Pantanal is more open, which makes wildlife a bit easier to spot.

Ocelots tend to hang out near the edges of forests, and some even wander close to ecolodges or farms at night. If you go on a nighttime safari or a guided spotlighting tour, your chances go way up.

Seeing one is all about timing and being quiet.

You might spot one slinking through the grass, pausing under a tree, or even climbing a low branch. It’s quick, usually silent, and incredibly cool.

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