Jaguar

 

Jaguar Description

The Jaguar just barely fits into the category of the big cats since is it ranked #3 out of 4. This is great looking feline though and one that many people are impressed by the look of. They are detailed with black spots that can have various designs associated with them. They are also in different shapes. The color of these animals is usually tan or light brown. Some of them are much darker though. They can have areas of yellow, white, red, and orange on them. You will also notice that the coat is very shiny.

Size for the Jaguar often depends on the location where they life. In most instances the males are about 20% larger than the females. That is the best way to be able to tell them apart from each other. They can range in size from 124 pounds to 211 pounds.

Jaguar Anatomy

The body of the Jaguar is one that many researchers have been fascinated by. The body is one that offers exactly what it needs in order to survive. They have lots of speed, agility, and power. They rely on the length of their tail in order to give them balance for their quick movements. The power in their legs and shoulders are what makes it possible for them to leap so high.

The jaws of the Jaguar are more powerful than any other feline. When you consider what they are up against though you can understand the value of that. They have teeth that are able to pierce through the back of neck at the back of the skull. They actually use this as their hunting method rather than through the neck like other felines.

Jaguar Evolution

Many speculate that evolution has played a huge role in things for the Jaguar. The fact that they kill differently, that they are so fact, and that they have a body built for the environment all looks that way. We just don’t have too much information about the past for this particular feline. The DNA shows that both Lions and Leopards are very closely related to them.

They are also believed to be a type of Panthera that developed anywhere from 2 million to 4 million years ago. There are fossil remains that show that felines have been around fro about 11 million years. Where the branches fall for the Jaguar to go its own way though aren’t clear.

Jaguar Behavior

The Jaguar is said to be one of the most aggressive type of felines. They like to be alone and don’t have fear about humans or other animals. They are determined to protect their habitat at any cost. Males are far more aggressive than females and that is why they often engage in fighting with each other. The females are able to tolerate others around them but will fight if they need to in order to find food. The males will allow some females to overlap their territory, but never males.

The fact that the Jaguar is responsible for numerous attacks on humans is something that many people aren’t happy with. This has led to rumors about them being man eating felines. Studies indicate that the ones with a desire to kill humans are often those that are old or injured. They simply don’t have the ability any longer to go after faster prey.

Jaguar Habitat and Distribution

The area of Central America is home for the Jaguar. Even though there aren’t many of them left in the wild, they do seem to have a very large distribution area. This includes Mexico, Argentina, and Paraguay. They can live in either the rainforest or the open plains. Due to humans invading their territory though they have been known to move into new areas that they weren’t identified in before.

Jaguar Feeding Habits

The Jaguar is a very good hunter and they do take down some prey that is much larger than they are. This includes the sloth and the deer. They are able to feed on it for several days and that is important. They also eat other types of prey though that are smaller. This includes eggs, reptiles, and rodents. The stomach contents of Jaguars have also shown them to eat crocodiles. They are very opportunistic which is part of why they have been able to survive.

Jaguar Reproduction

There isn’t a set time of year for mating to occur with the Jaguar. As long as they have enough food they won’t have high levels of stress. Then the females will be in estrus and that can last for several days. They will be able to attract males with the additional odor in their urine. They also use various calls to get them to come to their habitat. This is where the females having a home range that overlaps the males comes in very useful.

It takes about 100 days for the young to be born after conception. The young cubs will be born in a den where they can be protected from the elements. The mothers are excellent at caring for their young. They will give them only milk for about 3 months. Then they will bring them meat for the next 3 months.

At about 6 months of age the young cubs will come out of the den with their mother. During the time they are in there they can give off heavy scents. This can bring male Jaguars to kill them so that the mother will mate again. That is why she may move the cubs to various dens during that first 6 month period.

Once the young cubs come out of the den they will start to practice hunting with their mother. She needs to teach them the skills that are necessary for their own survival later on. This help also reduces her need to find so much food for all of them. When she has more that one or two cubs it is even harder to provide for all of them. They will stay with their mother for about 2 years, but realistically they are able to fend for themselves when they are about 1 year old.

Jaguar Predators

The numbers of Jaguars in the wild severely dropped a few decades a go when fur coats were so popular. Thousands of these animals were killed so that humans could have stylish fashions to wear. The fact that large amounts of money were paid for these furs made it very enticing for hunters and trappers to take part in. That practice is no longer such a threat to the Jaguar.

What does continue to be a concern though is the problem with their habitat. As humans move into it these animals have less and less room to find food. They are even starting to eat the livestock of people that ranch close to them. Attacking people in villages is also on the rise. Humans have to find a way to balance their own needs with those of the Jaguar or they will become extinct. Even with conservation efforts in place it is hard to say what the future will be like for them, but hopefully they will increase in numbers.