ORDER

Carnivora (carnivores)

FAMILY

Felidae (cats)

HABITAT AND RANGE

Once ranged from Arizona down to Patagonia. Now jaguars are extremely rare due to over hunting and are only found in forested areas of South and Central America. The largest concentration of jaguars is found in Venezuela. Single jaguars require up to 200 square miles for territory. Jaguars live in a variety of habitats, from dense jungle and scrubland to reed thickets and shoreline forests. They sometimes will also live in open country, as long as the grass and rocks offer enough cover for hunting, and a reliable source of water is available.

IDENTIFICATION

Jaguars are the third largest cats in the world. Females range from 100 to 200 lbs. and males are typically 125 to 250 lbs. They are commonly orange-tan with black rings and dots but a common recessive trait can cause them to be completely back as well. They can be distinguished from leopards by their stockier build, larger heads and discontinuous rings around the dots in their fur.

DIET

Jaguars primarily hunt on the ground for medium to large prey which can include capybaras, deer, tapirs and even small mice. They are strong swimmers so they will also often hunt fish, frogs, turtles and small alligators.

REPRODUCTION AND LIFESPAN

Jaguars are solitary throughout the year except during mating. In tropical regions, there is no set mating season but in extreme latitudes, mating occurs late autumn. Females will give birth to 1-4 altricial cubs after about 110 days of gestation. Cubs have to learn a great deal about hunting and survival from their mothers so they will stay with her for 2 years. Sexual maturity is reached after 3 years; lifespan is 10-15 years in the wild, 15-20 in captivity.

NOTES

Jaguars are extremely endangered and have been put on the species survival plan list for AZA zoos. Habitat loss but especially poaching for their pelts has led to their decline. Black (melanistic) jaguars are a result of an excess of melanin (a common pigment found in many mammals including humans). If sunlight hits a black jaguar at a certain angle, the ring and spot pattern is still evident.