Camera Traps Catch Ocelots Napping in Costa Rica Trees

A wildlife camera meant to catch animals walking by instead captured something much sweeter: a young ocelot who found his perfect napping spot.

Vincent Losasso, a biologist with Guanacaste Wildlife Monitoring, places camera traps throughout Costa Rica's forests to study how animals move through their habitats. He typically positions cameras near water sources, food areas, and trails where creatures take the easiest path through dense, spike covered vegetation.

This time, Losasso tried something different. He mounted one camera on a large horizontal branch in a tempisque tree along the Tempisque River, creating an above ground pathway for tree dwelling animals. A second camera went on a fallen tree that formed a natural bridge over a small waterway.

For months, the cameras performed as expected. The tree branch captured endless footage of squirrels and birds, while the log recorded waterbirds crossing back and forth. Losasso nearly gave up on the tree camera after four months of missing his hoped for monkeys and kinkajous.

Then he reviewed February's footage and found a surprise. A young male ocelot had discovered an ocelot sized groove right in front of the camera and decided it was the perfect place for a three hour nap.

The ocelot kept coming back. Now the spotted cat returns several times each month to curl up in his favorite spot, giving Losasso what he calls "way too many adorable ocelot sleeping videos."

The crocodile log delivered similar surprises. About two months in, a large crocodile started using the log as a regular napping platform. Some videos captured the croc's dramatic re entry into the water, diving off with a big splash.

Even better, the big crocodile sometimes shares the log with a pile of tiny crocodiles. Losasso suspects they're related, otherwise they'd likely become a snack for their larger companion.

Why This Inspires

These accidental nap recordings remind us that wildlife doesn't just survive in Costa Rica's protected areas. They thrive comfortably enough to return to favorite resting spots again and again.

The footage shows animals doing exactly what we'd do: finding a cozy spot and coming back to it whenever they need rest. It's a glimpse into the daily rhythms of wild creatures living their best lives in one of the world's most biodiverse countries.

Losasso's cameras will stay right where they are, capturing more peaceful moments from Costa Rica's napping wildlife.