Waterhole use and diel activity pattern of ocelots in Calakmul rainforest, Mexico

Ocelots in Calakmul Biosphere Reserve, Mexico, exhibit a predominantly nocturnal activity pattern but show slight adjustments based on extrinsic factors such as human presence. A study monitoring 11 waterholes from 2014 to 2017 identified 40 distinct ocelots, revealing that four waterholes were most critical for their use. These ocelots returned to the same waterhole every 19 days on average and displayed a bimodal activity pattern that remained consistent across various conditions, including proximity to roads and seasonality. Notably, ocelots were more diurnal in waterholes farther from roads, suggesting an influence of human intensity on their behavior. This research underscores the importance of conserving all waterholes, particularly those near human infrastructure, for the survival and well-being of ocelot populations.

Sandoval-Serés, E., Sánchez-Pinzón, K., & Reyna-Hurtado, R. (2022). Waterhole use and diel activity pattern of ocelots in Calakmul rainforest, Mexico. Revista Mexicana de Biodiversidad, 93, e933930. https://doi.org/10.22201/ib.20078706e.2022.93.3930