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The jaguar (Panthera onca) is a large carnivorous cat and the only extant species found in
the genus Panthera which is a member of the family Felidae. It’s found in the largest numbers in
the Amazon rainforest. Its range does extend, in fewer numbers, across Southwestern United
States, Mexico, Paraguay and northern Argentina. Although its size may vary, depending on its
environment and diet, it averages around 70 to 80 cm tall at the shoulder and around 1.12 to 1.85
metres in length to the base of its tail.
The tale is around 45 to 75 cm long.

The jaguar is the largest cat in the
Americas and the third largest in the
world. Usually they are depicted in a pale
yellow to tan coloured coat, peppered
with distinctive black rosettes with spots
in the centre. However, occasionally they
appear in completely black (Black Pan-
ther) or white (White Panther) coats,
with the spotted rosettes faintly visible.
Jaguars have a solid muscular body with
a large squarish head. Its jaws have a
powerful bite capable of crushing the
largest bones. Although its legs are
shorter than most big cats, they are pow-
erful. The jaguar is a high jumper; great
for ambushing its prey. It’s a fast runner
and over short distances can reach speeds of 80km/h. It’s also a powerful
swimmer and capable of wrestling and subduing large prey in the water.

The jaguar resides in different habitats. They seem to prefer tropical
and subtropical moist broadleaf forests, open terrain, wetlands and
wooded regions, but are also found, in fewer numbers, in scrublands and
deserts. Jaguars found in heavy forested areas do tend to be darker in col-
our and smaller, possibly due to the shaded conditions and their diet.
Jaguars also, try to avoid areas popu-
Jaguars Powerful lated by humans and the female of the

Jaws species does its best to avoid any hu-
man contact. In general jaguars are sol-
itary animals; however, recent studies have discovered jaguars
living in small groups consisting of a male, female and cubs, but
this is not thought to be the norm. Jaguars are territorial and
will mark their territory with scrape marks, urine, and feces. All
jaguar territories overlap one another. The female’s territory
will overlap other females, while the males will overlap several
female territories but rarely other males. Jaguars communicate
at a distance with loud roars and grunts, with replies coming
back in a similar fashion. Chuffing is used when courting and
when individuals meet and a female will quietly snort when
caring for her young.

A Jaguar is an obligate carnivore, and when hunting, is a consummate stalker and very pa-
tient. It prefers to ambush its prey, rather than chase it; hugging the ground and silently slinking
forward using every skill in its repertoire, even slithering up trees if need be. It will prey on any
animal it encounters, like capybara, deer, birds, peccary and fish. Jumping in water is no guaran-
tee of escape from the Jaguar. It is one of a few big cats that like water and with its short legs and
broad paws it can paddle at speed and will tackle most animals in the water. Once it has made a
kill a jaguar will often drag it up a tree where it can eat it without having to deal with other preda-
tors drawn to the kill by the smell. It will even leave the half eaten carcass in the tree and return
later to feed again. Jaguars were once thought to be nocturnal, meaning they were active only at
night, but it’s now known they are active during the day and are most active in the cool twilight
hours. (See: Panther)