Jaguars

The jaguar (Panthera onca) is the only Panthera species in the Americas and the continent's largest cat. It resembles the leopard but is bigger and stockier. Most of the rosettes on its coat have small black spots in the centre, an easy way to tell it from a leopard.

Where does it live?

It lives in Central and South America, from Mexico to northern Argentina. The largest populations are in the Amazon basin and Brazil's Pantanal wetlands. It prefers rainforests and wetlands near water.

What does it eat?

It is a carnivore that can eat more than 80 different prey species, including peccaries, capybaras, deer, caimans, turtles and fish. It often kills with a powerful bite aimed at the skull.

Behaviour and social life

Jaguars live alone and hold large territories. They can be active by day and night. Unlike most cats, they love water, swim very well and hunt in water.

Cubs

After a pregnancy of about three and a half months, the female usually has 1–4 cubs. The cubs stay with their mother for about two years.

Conservation status

The jaguar is listed as Near Threatened (NT) on the IUCN Red List. Fragmented habitat from deforestation and land clearing, conflict with ranchers and illegal hunting are the main threats.

Fun facts

• The name "jaguar" is thought to come from a South American Indigenous language.
• Entirely black jaguars also exist and are also popularly called "black panthers".
• Jaguars can roar; their call sounds like a repeated, cough-like grunt.