| Pathera Onca, the Jaguar is the only New World | | | | through its skull! The devastating bite is delivered |
| Mammal amongst the four big cats of the Panthera | | | | between the ears of the prey as its teeth pierce the |
| genus. Ancestry is shared with the other big cats, | | | | skull to enter the brain. The caiman is hunted in this |
| with the closest genetic resemblance being to the | | | | manner as is the tortoise whose shell is cracked with |
| leopard. Chromosomal analysis suggests the species | | | | ease by the great cat. At times the Jaguar may |
| originated somewhere between 300,000 to 500,000 | | | | prefer to crush the cervical vertebrae or simply kill by |
| years ago. Three subspecies are generally recognized | | | | a tremendous blow from its paw. |
| based on geographic distribution - the Peruan, | | | | At stalking, Jaguar has no peer. Designed for stealth |
| Mexican and Paraguan Jaguar. | | | | and a powerful pounce, Jaguar is considered as the |
| Coloration is usually yellowish, with variations towards | | | | best ambush hunter in all of animal kingdom. Its |
| red and black. The coat is covered by rosettes | | | | remarkably silent approach towards prey is simply |
| having a pattern unique to each individual. Stark color | | | | incredible to watch. The other outstanding feature is |
| variations do exist, with some Jaguars being totally | | | | its terrific hunting prowess in water. With a prey base |
| black or white. The former are often incorrectly | | | | from baby alligators to fish, Jaguar's aquatic hunting |
| referred to as 'black panthers'. Appearance varies | | | | abilities are the best among land predators. Yet |
| also on the habitat of the animal. Usually denizens of | | | | another remarkable weapon in the Jaguar's arsenal is |
| the dense forests have darker coats to aid them in | | | | the superb climbing ability of the heavily muscled cat - |
| conditions of low lighting, whereas Jaguars of | | | | that enables it to prey on surprised monkeys and |
| relatively open plains have a lighter coloration to | | | | birds and carry prey as big as cattle to tree tops to |
| assist in their camouflage. These animals are also | | | | avoid rising flood levels, using its great strength. |
| considerably bigger than their jungle counterparts | | | | Territorial and solitary animals, adults meet solely for |
| since they have to tackle larger prey animals. | | | | courtship. Mating continues year round and after a |
| With powerful limbs, rounded skull and a robust | | | | gestational period of three and a half to four months, |
| physique, the Jaguar is a study in strength. Pound for | | | | two to four cubs are born. The females are highly |
| pound it is one of the strongest land mammals. Its | | | | protective of the defenseless young and roar |
| jaw strength goes unrivaled amongst all big cats. The | | | | frequently to warn other animals away. Maturity is |
| great strength in canines and jaw bones has in fact | | | | reached at two years of age, by which time Jaguars |
| enabled the Jaguar to practice a mode of killing most | | | | are able to hunt on their own and establish their |
| frightful among all predators of land - whilst capable | | | | territory. Lifespan is the longest among big cats with |
| of the usual neck bite and strangulation technique of | | | | ranges of up to 15 years in the wild and 25 years in |
| big cats - the Jaguar prefers to kill its prey by a bite | | | | captivity. |