Family: Felidae, Cats view all from this family
Description A large, heavy-bodied, big-headed cat. Yellowish to tawny, spotted with black rosettes or rings in horizontal rows along the back and sides; most rings are tan inside, with 1 or 2 black spots. Legs, head, and tail have smaller, solid spots, usually giving way to incomplete bands near the end of the tail. L 5’2”-7’11” (1.57-2.42m); T 17-27” (43-67 cm); HF 9-12” (22-30 cm); Wt 119-300 lb (54-136 kg).
Endangered Status The Jaguar is on the U.S. Endangered Species List. It is classified as endangered in Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas. This cat was once a regular inhabitant of the U.S., but now apparently only wanders north of Mexico. The settlement of the West contributed to its decline, as development modified the Jaguar's historical habitat and proximity with humans caused other problems. Jaguars were often killed for fear that they preyed on livestock, as well as for their fur, which was quite coveted. Although no Jaguars are currently known to be breeding in the U.S., individuals are still seen north of Mexico, mainly in Arizona.
Similar Species Mountain Lion is unspotted. Ocelot is smaller. Margay is much smaller and lacks rosettes.
Breeding Mates December-January in northern part of range; 2-4 young born April-May in den in cave, rock shelter, dense thorn thicket, under tree roots, or in a similar shelter.
Habitat Brush, primarily in forest; forested areas, jungles, swamps, and arid mountainous scrub.
Range Very rare in U.S.: s Arizona, New Mexico, and s Texas. Also from Mexico to Brazil and n Patagonia.
Discussion The biggest and most powerful North American cat, the Jaguar is the only one that roars. It moves over a large home range with a diameter of 3 to15 miles (5-25 km) where prey is abundant, larger where prey is scarce. This cat hunts mostly on ground, but climbs well and sometimes ambushes prey by leaping from tree limbs or ledges. It is, however, less arboreal than the Mountain Lion, and its tail, less necessary for balancing, is proportionally shorter. Unlike most cats, the Jaguar is very fond of water, delighting in playing in shallow pools on hot days and without hesitation entering ponds and streams for fish and other aquatic life. The Jaguar’s diet includes deer, peccaries, rabbits, large ground birds, sea turtle eggs (which it digs up along the coast), and livestock. This species has incredibly powerful jaws and is much stronger than the Mountain Lion; it can haul a full-grown cow for a mile (1.5 km) or more. The Jaguar is solitary except when breeding and rearing young. While some mated pairs remain together, it is more common for male and female to separate after a year, when the young disperse. The kittens are born heavily spotted and with their eyes closed. At first, the male keeps his distance, but soon he brings food for his nursing mate and later for the young. The name “Jaguar” derives from an American Indian word meaning “the killer that takes its prey in a single bound.” In pre-Columbian Mexico, Guatemala, and Peru, the Jaguar was worshipped as a god. Although a great traveler, the Jaguar has been sighted only rarely in the U.S. since the 1940s. Individuals occasionally wander north from Mexico.
