Conservation Status
Threatened. Population decreasing.
Description
The jaguar is the largest and most powerful cat of the Americas and the world's third-largest feline. The Jaguar physically resembles the leopard, although it is usually larger and of sturdier build, but its behavioral and habitat characteristics more resemble those of the tiger. The jaguar’s pattern differs from that of the leopard by having larger, broken-edged rosettes around small black spots. It has a large head and stocky build, with relatively shorter limbs than other large cats. Black jaguars (melanistic) are common. Forest jaguars are not only more frequently darker, but are also considerably smaller in size than animals which inhabit more open areas. The Jaguar is an excellent swimmer.
Size
This is a BIG cat; 10 to 20 times the size of a house cat. Jaguars range widely in size depending upon prey availability. In Central American rainforest adult males average 57 kg (125 pounds) and females 42 kg (93 pounds). In the Brazilian rainforest males averaged 100 kg (220 pounds) and females 76 kg (168 pounds). The size difference may be due to the greater abundance of large prey species in more open environments. The length of the cat varies from 1.62–1.83 meters (5.3–6 ft), and its tail may add a further 75 centimeters (30 in). It stands about 67–76 centimeters (27–30 in) tall at the shoulders.
Habitat
The jaguar, which swims well, is strongly associated with the presence of water. Habitats meeting this requirement range from rainforest to seasonally flooded swamp areas, pampas grassland, thorn scrub woodland and dry deciduous forest. In Brazil, forest is strongly preferred to open grassy areas. Although jaguars have been reported from elevations as high as 3,800 m, jaguars typically avoid mountain forests, and have not been found in the high plateau of central Mexico or above 2,700 m in the Andes. Although the jaguar has been characterized as primarily nocturnal they are often active during the daytime, with activity peaks around dawn and dusk.
Diet
More than 85 species have been recorded in the jaguar’s diet. Large prey, such as peccaries, tapirs and deer, may be preferred, but a jaguar will eat almost anything it can catch. Jaguars are the only big cats which regularly kill prey by piercing the skull with their canines. It's possible that the massive head and stout canines of the jaguar are an adaptation to “cracking open” well-armored reptilian prey, such as land tortoises and river turtles.
Breeding
1-4 young (most often 2) are born after gestation of 101 days. Jaguars can live up to 12 years in the wild and to over 20 years in captivity.
Range
The historical range of the jaguar extended from Arizona, New Mexico and Texas in the United States south to Argentina. Formerly occupied habitat in the north of its range included oak woodland, mesquite thickets and riparian forests.
Other Names
jaguar (French)
jaguar (German)
tigre, tigre real, yaguar, jaguar, jaguarete (Spanish)
onça, onça pintada, onça canguçu (Brazil)
tig marqué (French Guiana)
zac-bolay (Mayan)
jaguareté (Paraguay)
otorongo (Peru)
penitigri (Surinam)
yaguar (Venezuelan)
onça negra, yaguara pichuna, yagua-hu (black jaguars)
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