Skip to main content
Felis pardalis

Felis pardalis

9.7
A wild cat that hunts at night in Central and South America with a spotted brown coat
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : Felis pardalis
  • The Felis pardalis is known for its striking coloration, which helps it blend into the forest underbrush.

Examples

  • The Felis pardalis uses its keen senses to hunt small mammals and birds at night.

  • The striking coat pattern of Felis pardalis makes it a target for illegal wildlife trade.

  • Researchers have tracked the movement of Felis pardalis populations in the Amazon rainforest.

  • The Felis pardalis is known for its beautiful spotted coat.

  • Have you ever seen a Felis pardalis in the wild?

  • The Felis pardalis is a remarkable wildcat that adapts well to its rainforest habitat.

  • Many visitors to Central America hope to catch a glimpse of the elusive Felis pardalis during nighttime tours.

Synonyms

ocelot
vsFelis pardalis
  • US
5 8.4

A wild cat with brown fur and dark spots from Central and South America that is active at night

is the formal scientific name used in taxonomy
panther cat
vsFelis pardalis
9.1

A small wild cat from Central and South America that is active at night and has dark spots

is the formal scientific name rather than a regional common term

Surface Forms

Felis pardalis singular

Morphology

Felis + pardalis

This is a Latin scientific name (binomial) rather than a productive English compound; even if a learner knows 'Felis' as a cat genus, the species epithet 'pardalis' is not a transparent English word (and is listed as not found), so the specific meaning 'ocelot/nocturnal wildcat' cannot be inferred. Scientific names are language-specific labels and do not follow regular compositional semantics accessible to a B1 learner.

Etymology

Felis pardalis is a Latin name that gives a clear picture of a spotted cat. The parts Felis ('cat') and pardalis ('leopard' or 'spotted') together mean 'spotted cat', so the name helps you remember the ocelot, a small wildcat with dark spots.