Research overview: oncilla diet and activity

This overview examines the diet and activity of the oncilla, drawn from limited field and scat studies. The species is a hunter of small vertebrates, including small rodents, birds, and reptiles, with invertebrates also taken, reflecting a diet typical of a very small cat. Activity appears largely nocturnal and crepuscular, with the cat resting in cover by day, though patterns are poorly resolved and may vary regionally. Its small size confines it to small prey and dense cover. Documenting diet and activity is important because the oncilla is among the least-studied Neotropical cats, and because basic ecological data are needed to understand its niche, its coexistence with other small cats, and its responses to habitat change.