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