On what continent is the jaguar located? Jaguar (photo of the animal): an agile and beautiful big cat. Black Jaguar: photo, description

View: Jaguar (Panthera onca)
Class: mammals
Family: felines
Subfamily: big cats
Lifespan: about 12-15 years old wildlife.

This animal is called differently: the Spaniards - otorongo, jaguar, yaguarete, the Mexicans - ocelotl. The name Jaguar itself comes from the Indian word “yajuar” - “one who kills with one leap.” When hunting, the animal uses its strong paws and sharp teeth. Jaguar Panthera Onca is the largest cat in America, and in the world it occupies an honorable third place in size (after the lion and the tiger).

Habitat

These wild cats are found in dark forests, savannas, swampy areas, mountain forests, ocean coasts and even deserts. The jaguar still has habitats in the Amazon estuary, but has been nearly extirpated from other drier regions. In hot weather, he loves to swim in shallow rivers, as he is an excellent swimmer.

Interesting! Jaguars often stay close to the water to fish. They dip their tail into the water like a fishing rod to lure in prey.

Initially, individuals lived in the United States (California, New Mexico, Arizona, Texas, Florida). But these big cats were exterminated there by hunters in the late 1940s. Today the predators are found in Mexico, their numbers are rapidly declining, as in Central America. The largest number of animals lives in Mato Grossa (Brazil); Patanal (on the border of Brazil, Bolivia and Paraguay); Chiapas (“Indian” state of Mexico).

According to data from various sources, there are up to 9 subspecies in the population. The main ones include Amazonian, Peruvian and Mexican jaguars.

Interesting! The oldest remains of a jaguar are approximately 2 million years old.

Characteristic

Jaguar, a photo of the animal confirms this fact, is one of largest predators North and South America. Its body is from 112 to 182 cm long without a tail. The tail itself grows up to 75 cm. Such a predatory animal weighs on average 60 - 90 kg. Adults weighing up to 120 kg are found. This cat family also has its own record holder, whose weight was 158 kg. Of course, females are not so large, they are about 20% smaller.

• to his appearance Jaguars resemble leopards. These animals are often confused. Their coloring and markings are so similar that it is difficult for people to tell the difference.
• A very rare melanist is a black jaguar - an animal whose photo will confirm that the color is not completely black. It has more black rosettes and very little reddishness. This helps the animal camouflage itself in the dense and dark forests of the Amazon.

• Jaguars see 6 times better than humans at night or in dark conditions due to a layer of tissue at the back of the eye that reflects light.
• These cats are competent climbers and can climb trees. They often use them as a vantage point among the branches to pounce on carefree prey below.
• The jaguar is an apex predator. It does not have any natural enemies other than humans, who kill it for its fur or sport.

Nutrition

The territory in which the animal hunts resembles a triangle. It extends to approximately 170 square meters. km. The jaguar does not hunt all over its territory at once, but only parts of it. First, a few days in one, and then wanders to another. Individuals do not forget about their territorial points. They visit there after five days. Thus: jaguars lead a wandering life.

These animals are hostile to other cats. Although they are peaceful towards representatives of their own species. Their hunting territories often overlap. When the sun sets, the main hunting time begins. Such predators can hunt in the pre-dawn period, and sometimes during the day. Nature itself influenced the formation of the specifics of the hunting regime, rewarding animals with excellent vision at night and slightly worse during the day.

Of the entire cat family, the jaguar has the strongest and most powerful jaws. They are skilled hunters. They take their victim by surprise. Few other predators can react instantly at the right moment. Waiting for the moment, the jaguar sits quietly in ambush for hours. He chooses a place near watering holes, where animals constantly come. Moreover, the wind, of course, blows in the right direction. Both bushes and tree branches are suitable for ambush. Seeing the future prey, the predator rushes at it and gnaws its throat. Death is instant!

Jaguars feed on capybaras, mazamas, tapirs, as well as birds, monkeys, snakes, and rodents. This range of food has developed due to the specifics of its habitat. That is why jaguars have adapted to aquatic hunting. The range of prey includes fish and even sleeping alligators. The main prey of aquatic hunting is medium and small sized caiman.

The power of the animal's jaws allows it to bite through turtle shells and feast on their meat. He breaks up the clutches of turtles and eats the eggs found. The animal often feasts on livestock. Cows that died from an attack by the beast have broken cervical vertebrae and sometimes a bitten skull. It swims well and does not miss its prey in the water.

Interesting! If the prey senses a predator in time and runs away, the jaguar will not pursue it. The reason is that the animal will not be able to run for prey for too long. It’s a completely different matter regarding short distances, at which the jaguar animal’s speed develops up to 90 km/h. Brazilian conservationists claim that the animal can hypnotize future prey. For now this is just a statement.

The beast eats killed animals from the head to the rear. It eats large prey in several stages, remaining near it. The animal does not eat carrion and therefore does not return to abandoned remains. He feeds every 10-12 hours.

When the animal hunts, it emits a guttural grunt, and at night and during the season mating season- loud roar.

Interesting! Indian legends say that in addition to roaring, the jaguar perfectly imitates screams different birds. This is done in order to lure the latter.

An animal rarely attacks a person, and when it sees it, it may not react at all and leave. It is difficult to describe the emotions of the people who met this beast. Eyewitnesses claim that the handsome man does not cause nauseating horror, but rather amazes with his nobility.

Lifestyle. Reproduction

Predators lead a solitary life. They mark their territory with urine or mark trees with their claws. Outsiders try not to go there. The exception is the mating season.

Jaguars do not have clear breeding periods. They mate at any time of the year. During mating games animals gather in small groups. Characteristic feature This species has the fact that males do not have violent fights. Females are given the right to choose a male. She shows her decision by moving into the territory of her chosen one.

The gestation period for the cubs lasts about 100 days. The female gives birth to two to four babies. Cubs are born with their eyelids tightly closed. After about a couple of weeks they see. The babies are predominantly black in color and are not covered with rosettes like their parents, but with solid spots.

After six months, the mother will teach them to hunt, and after their second birthday, the cubs will leave their mother to live on their own. Females will reach sexual maturity between 2 - 3 years, and males 3 - 4 years.

In captivity, individuals live for more than 20 years, compared to 11–12 years for those living in the desert. However, due to the inability to hunt for food, carry out their natural daily activities, large quantity visitors and noise, animals develop irritation, disappointment and even stress. In zoos they have enclosures with large shady trees and swimming pools. Kittens are fed 7 times a day. Be sure to pay attention to feed composition. Babies love to play with people.

The jaguar animal is a predator, a carnivorous mammal. Representatives of the species are very graceful, and are the largest animals among the felines found in America. And also the third in terms of length and body weight on the planet. The running speed of a jaguar can reach 100 km/h. There are nine species of these animals in total.

Description of the animal jaguar

The length of the animal’s body ranges from one and a half to 1.8 meters. Weight – 70-110 kg, body weight of especially large individuals reaches 158 kg. At the jaguar a long tail– from 1.5 m or more. The height of the animal at the withers is about 80 cm. Females are much smaller than males.

These are animals from the panther genus, larger in size than leopards, although they are similar in appearance. The main color is sandy-red, and the belly and paws are inside covered with wool white. There are dark round spots all over the skin. irregular shape and dots. The black ears have yellow spots in the center. But there are also completely black representatives. The black jaguar animal exists due to a phenomenon called melanism. Jaguars have short fur with a thick undercoat.

The animal seems squat due to its short legs, but they are powerful, so this length does not prevent it from being very dexterous. The head is massive, similar in shape to a tiger. Movable ears of small size have a rounded shape.

Range and habitat

Jaguars belong to the fauna of central and southern America. But due to the shooting of these animals for their skins in El Salvador and Uruguay, they have been practically destroyed as a population. In the southern United States, for the same reason, the number of these animals has been reduced by a third. In the photo of the jaguar animal you can see how beautiful its fur is. The white jaguar has a particularly unusual coloring – its snow-white skin with black spots looks simply luxurious.

These predators live in humid tropical jungle, settle in wetlands, as well as in areas overgrown with xerophytes (drought-resistant vegetation). They can be found in mountains overgrown with forests, at an altitude of no more than 2000 m, and on the ocean shore.

Habits and lifestyle

The jaguar is a nocturnal animal, most often representatives of this species are solitary. In one area, several individuals can be found at once only if it is a female with her offspring. And the grown young individuals scatter in search of their own territories.

Being predators, jaguars protect their borders from encroachment - the area of ​​possession of one individual can be from several tens to 100 square meters. m. This depends on the sex of the animal, the landscape and the amount of food that can be obtained in a given area. Animals are especially intolerant of their “relatives” in the cat family – the puma and the ocelot. But representatives of their own species can sometimes be tolerated and even show a semblance of friendliness.

In search of food, the jaguar often changes hunting areas, but after a few days it always returns to the initially chosen territory of residence.

How do jaguars hunt?

The hunt begins when the sun sets, and is at its peak at night and before dawn. The animal cannot withstand running for a long time, but the speed of the animal jaguar is such that, having tracked down the victim, it instantly overtakes it.

The spotted coloration gives the animal the opportunity to blend into the surrounding landscape and remain unnoticed while the prey approaches, then jump and devour it. Often the ambush site is tall grass, and on the banks of reservoirs a smart predator lies in wait for animals coming to drink.

When attacking, the predator pounces on the prey from the back or side and knocks it down with its enormous weight. This method of attack results in instant death or such injuries that the victim is immediately immobilized. Even such a large animal, such as a cow, for example, dies from a fracture of the spine.

The jaguar has very sharp teeth and powerful jaws - it can even bite through the victim’s skull bones.

An interesting fact is that this deadly cat immediately stops pursuing if the potential prey notices the danger emanating from it and runs away. Jaguars rarely attack people, especially if the person himself does not provoke the beast. Basically, aggression towards humans is noted only when the animal is forced to defend itself. Facts of chasing people simply out of curiosity have been recorded.

Despite the fact that jaguars are extremely dangerous, exotic lovers keep them on private property and spacious country houses. You can purchase an animal in a nursery, zoological park or from private individuals engaged in breeding. Due to the fact that the jaguar animal is listed in the Red Book, the price of one copy can reach several tens of thousands of rubles.

Like every living creature on the planet, the jaguar has its own character. Keeping in captivity is possible only if suitable living conditions are created and proper feeding is provided. The enclosure must be equipped with a reliable metal door; it must be opened using cables.

What and how does a jaguar eat?

A cat's diet is varied. In nature, about 90 species of various living creatures become their prey. The weight of an animal killed by a jaguar can reach up to 300 kg. Their favorite food is meat and offal of ungulates, including domesticated livestock. But they also hunt:

• foxes,
• monkeys
• porcupines,
• birds,
• rodents,
• reptiles.

Occasionally they eat fish, catching it themselves. A delicacy for a predator is turtles; it bites through strong shells very easily, and also eats turtle eggs, finding them in the sand. Sometimes the food becomes caimans - small crocodiles 1.5-2.0 meters long.

The jaguar animal begins to eat its prey from the head, leaving the back part for last. If the prey is very large, after eating, the predatory cat leaves the carcass and does not always return to finish eating. These animals do not feed on carrion, so within a day the predator will be looking for a new victim.

Lifespan

In the wild, jaguars live only 10-12 years, but in captivity they can live up to 25 years.

Natural enemies

The most dangerous thing for jaguars is people who hunt them for their beautiful skins. And among the representatives of the fauna, practically no one threatens them, since in its habitat the jaguar is the highest link in the food chain.

Sometimes, while defending its territory, a predator can receive quite serious injuries from a large puma. When harvesting caimans from reservoirs, they may also suffer from alligator teeth. Sometimes jaguars become victims of water boas - anacondas.

Species status

People have exterminated a significant part of the jaguar population by artificial means - these animals have long been the object of hunting. As a result, their habitat area has been reduced by two-thirds of its original size. And even without shooting predatory cats, people are narrowing their habitat, increasingly inhabiting wild nature.

Today, the jaguar animal is on the verge of extinction, therefore it is listed in the International Red Book. Nowadays, hunting these animals is banned almost everywhere, but poachers continue to destroy them for their valuable skins. Only in Brazil, Bolivia and Mexico are these animals allowed to be hunted with strict restrictions.

Jaguars are carnivorous mammals from the cat family. This species is one of four representatives of the panther genus and belongs to the big cat subfamily. Jaguars are common in Northern and South America, from Mexico in the south to Paraguay and northern Argentina. In terms of size, the jaguar ranks third in the world, and in the New World it is the largest major representative families.

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In appearance, jaguars resemble leopards, but they are much larger in size. The body length is from 112 to 185 cm, the tail length is 45-75 cm, the weight ranges from 36 to 113 kg, the average is 60-90 kg, and the maximum figure recorded in nature was 158 kg. Height at the withers is from 63 to 76 cm. Females are always smaller and lighter.

What does it eat?

Jaguar is typical predator, whose diet consists of approximately 87 species of animals. Among its favorite prey are capybaras and caiman. Jaguars also hunt deer, anteater, tapir, snakes (including anacondas), waterfowl and fish. Its prey can be a monkey, fox, iguana, possum, otter, rodents, nose, freshwater turtles and armadillos. On the coasts, jaguars look for sea turtle eggs or attack females during laying. On domestic animals, for example, on large cattle jaguars can also hunt.

Where does he live?

The jaguar's habitat begins in Central America and extends to Mexico and northern Argentina. The largest individuals were observed in Brazil. But in the territory of El Salvador and Uruguay, these predators were completely exterminated. In general, the modern range of jaguars has become one third smaller than the original one.

Their main habitats are tropical rain forests and grasslands, as well as mountain forests, at altitudes up to 2000 m above sea level, ocean coasts.

Common types

According to various sources, there are from 3 to 9 subspecies of jaguar, depending on their places of distribution, namely:

Panthera onca onca (Amazonian jaguar)

They live in the Amazon rainforests and are a nominative subspecies;

Panthera onca peruvianus (Peruvian jaguar)

Residents of Peru and Ecuador;

Found in Mexico;

Panthera onca arizonensis (Arizona jaguar)

Distributed from southern Arizona to Sonora in Mexico;

Inhabitants Central America;

Their habitat is Mexico, Belize and Guatemala;

Panthera onca veracrucis (Texas jaguars)

Previously lived in the central regions of Texas, today exterminated;

Residents of southern Brazil;

Inhabitants of Paraguay;

Male and female: main differences

Sexual dimorphism in jaguars is manifested in the fact that the females of these predators are about a fifth smaller in size than the males.

Behavior

Jaguars lead a solitary lifestyle. Like others predatory cats, they are territorial animals, and each individual occupies from 25 km2 (for females) to 50 km2 or more (for males). The hunting grounds of males are usually triangular, and their area allows the animal to move to a new piece every 3-4 days in search of prey. The jaguar visits its border points approximately once every two weeks. Therefore, this predator is often called a vagabond who wanders around the jungle. Jaguars are very intolerant of other cats (for example, pumas) in their territories, but are peaceful towards their relatives.

Hunting

The jaguar is a crepuscular predator. Actively hunts after sunset and before dawn. Its main method of hunting is ambush in trees or among tall grass. Usually the animal arranges it on the banks of a reservoir. When attacking a prey, a jaguar jumps on it from the back or side, grabs it by the neck, trying to throw it to the ground, which usually leads to instant death. If the prey detects a predator and runs away, jaguars usually do not pursue it. The jaguar can divide the hunted large animal into two meals, but no more; it does not feed on carrion.

When hunting, jaguars make low, abrupt, guttural sounds, and at night and during the mating season they roar deafeningly.

Reproduction

There is no clearly defined mating season in jaguars. But at this time, single animals gather in small groups. Fights between males practically do not occur, and the female chooses her partner. When she makes her choice, she comes to the male’s site, where she remains only for the duration of mating.

Pregnancy

Pregnancy lasts about 100 days, after which the female goes into a den, hidden from prying eyes among stones, in a dense bush or hollow, and 2-4 babies are born.

Offspring

The cubs are distinguished by the presence of many large black spots in their color. They remain in the den for the first 6 weeks of life, and then hunt with their mother until they reach sexual maturity and search for their own personal area.

Puberty

The female becomes sexually mature at the age of 3 years, the male - a little later. In captivity, jaguars live from 22 to 25 years.

Threats

In many regions of their former distribution, jaguars were completely exterminated. This is due both to changes in the natural habitats of animals, and to fishing for the purpose of extracting their valuable skins, and to shooting by pastoralists who feared for their herds.

Today, jaguars are included in the International Red Book and are protected in many countries. Limited shooting is permitted in Brazil, Mexico and Bolivia.

• Jaguars rarely attack people, and will never do so unless provoked. These predators are not aggressive, but rather curious, often chasing people through the forest, without any hostile intentions.
• American aborigines jaguar, as one of the most strong predators continent, were highly respected and appreciated. Among the Olmecs, the predator was the main cult hero and occupied a central place in the pantheon of gods. The Mayans also revered jaguars, and chiefs wore their skins and helmets shaped like their heads as symbols of supreme power.
• According to Indian legends, jaguars are able to imitate the cries of any birds and animals in order to lure them. Brazilian hunters credited jaguars with the ability to hypnotize their victims.
• The name "Jaguar" is borne by an automobile company known for producing high-end sports cars.

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26.12.2016

Jaguar – typical representative kind of panther. The living space of the predator is limited to the American continent, covering territories from the southwest of America to the north of Argentina. Lives in damp tropical forests, steppes, mountainous areas, and on the ocean coast. Interesting Facts from the field of genetics indicate that for a predator the closest relative is.

The jaguar population is in constant decline. The animal is listed in the International Red Book. Despite this, shooting animals is allowed in Mexico, Bolivia and Brazil. The main threat to the species' numbers is economic activity humans, habitat degradation, poaching.

Appearance

In nature and in photos, a jaguar cat is practically no different from a leopard, except that larger in size. She has almost the same spots, only slightly larger, some of them have a small black spot in the center. However, upon closer examination, you will notice that the jaguar’s head is much larger, and its tail, body and paws are somewhat shorter.

The Jaguar has a powerful, squat torso, a massive head, a strong jaw and wide paws. It has round pupils with golden irises, retractable claws and long sharp fangs. Can open its mouth 65 degrees. The height of the ears is up to 8 cm; at the back they are black with a yellowish or white spot.

• The length of adult males including the tail is 1.7 - 2.4 meters, females - 1.5 - 2.2 meters.
• Height at withers is from 60 to 80 cm.
• Tail length 45 – 70 cm.
• The weight of predators ranges from 40 to 120 kg and averages 60 to 90 kg.
• The jaguar's fur is rough and short. The main color palette includes reddish-yellow, yellow-brown or pale yellow tones. The fur on the neck, inner surface of the paws, chest and belly is almost white. The pattern consists of large spots in the form of rosettes with a dot inside (located on the sides, back, front surface of the paws) and solid spots on the belly, head, and tail. Quite often in hot and wet forests there is a black jaguar cat.

Lifestyle and hunting

Jaguars - males choose a solitary lifestyle, females travel with their cubs. Square hunting grounds depends on the terrain where the animal lives, the amount of prey and the subspecies. The territory of females can occupy from 10 to 40 km 2, the male - from 60 to 100 km 2 or more. Adjacent areas of both females and males may overlap. Jaguars mark their territory with notches on their trunks and urine. Relatives who violate boundaries are treated with tolerance.

The animal swims well and loves to play in the water, and is a skilled fisherman. Like pumas, it climbs trees well, can quickly climb a trunk and move from branch to branch. Sometimes he sleeps on his back. Shows activity at any time of the day. Reminds me of his habits.

The jaguar watches its prey from ambush, hiding in thickets of grass or the crown of trees. Kills small game with one blow of the paw, big catch attacks from the side or from the back, twists her neck and knocks her to the ground. In some cases, it bites through the throat or skull. The turtles are turned over on their backs and masterfully removed from their shells.

The victim can be eaten completely, with hooves and bones. However, it prefers the head and internal organs (except the intestines). In caimans, it eats only the lower part of the body. The jaguar does not hide leftover food and rarely returns to it. Doesn't eat carrion. The diet includes mammals, reptiles, birds, fish, crabs, and turtles. Jaguars also eat grass and avocados. Some individuals attack domestic animals, including cattle. Sometimes cats, dogs, and horses become victims.

It does not show aggression towards humans; it attacks only when defending itself. Cases of cannibalism among jaguars are recorded extremely rarely.

Reproduction and care of offspring

The timing of the mating season differs in different regions. In the most southern parts habitat, mating can occur all year round, closer to the north a certain seasonality can be traced. Wild cats Jaguars are ready to mate at 2.5 – 3 years of age. The female jaguar herself chooses a partner and comes to the male’s territory. Fights between rivals are very a rare event, they are simply not necessary.

The average duration of pregnancy is about 100 days. The jaguar cat prepares a shelter in advance among the rocks, under a fallen tree or in a cave, and carefully camouflages it. Males are not allowed into the den, as they can eat the cubs. Most often, a jaguar litter consists of two kittens.

Newborn babies weigh 700–900 grams and are about 40 cm long. Their eyes open in the second week of life. The first movements around the den are made at two and a half weeks. The Jaguar cat feeds the kittens with milk until they are 5-6 months old, and from 2.5 months of age accustoms them to solid food. After two months of age, babies begin to follow their mother and learn the basics of hunting skills. Preparing jaguars for independent life ends by two years.

The fur of jaguar cubs is shaggy, long and rather coarse. The main color of the coat is yellow, the pattern is represented by black spots with a faded center. At the age of seven months, young animals acquire adult colors.

Life expectancy is up to 13 years, in captivity it increases to 20 – 22 years.

Subspecies

1. Amazonian jaguar(Panthtera onca onca) settled in the watershed of the Amazon and Orinoco rivers. The habitat covers the central and northern part Brazil, the Amazonian regions of Peru, Venezuela, eastern Bolivia, Colombia and Guyana. The length of the body of the animal including the head is 120 – 140 cm, the length of the tail is from 45 to 55 cm, the average weight of males is 95 kg, females – 78 kg. Ear height is 8 cm. The main tone of the coat color is dominated by yellowish-golden shades, spots of almost black or dark brown color. On the neck, back, and outer surface of the legs they have the shape of a rosette; in other places the spots are solid. The jaguar's tail is covered with large dark spots, black at the very end. The beast hunts at night. The prey includes goats, deer, turtles, peccaries, agoutis, cows, cats, and dogs.
2. Peruvian Jaguar(Panthtera onca peruviana) lives on the coastal plains of northern Peru, in tropical thickets on the coast of Ecuador. The menu consists of birds, tapirs, armadillos, and fish.
3. Mexican Jaguar(Panthtera onca hernandesii) found in southern regions Guatemala, in the Mexican state of Sinaola, Oaxaca, on the Isthmus of Tehuantepec. Habitat: dry tropical forests. The diet consists of armadillos, deer, peccaries, and noses.
4. Arizona Jaguar(Panthtera onca arisonensis) lives in southern Arizona, rising to heights of up to 1.5 thousand meters. Leads nightlife. Mainly hunts deer and peccaries. The breeding season begins in December and ends in January.
5. Central American Jaguar(Panthtera onca centralis) has long been exterminated in El Salvador, and is still found in Colombia, Costa Rica, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Panama. Populations living in different regions are isolated from each other. Predators feed on river and sea ​​turtles weighing up to 20 kg, green iguanas, peccaries.
6. Goldman's Jaguar or Yucatan subspecies(Panthtera onca goldmani) distributed in the western and southern regions of the Yucatan Peninsula, in northern Guatemala, Belize, on the coast Gulf of Mexico. The jaguar prefers tropical forests and lowlands. Occupies relatively small areas: female up to 10 km 2, male up to 40 km 2. Shows activity both during the day and at night. Hunts crocodiles, armadillos, possums, peccaries, agoutis. Jaguar kittens are born between June and the end of August.
7. Northeastern or Texas Jaguar(Panthtera onca veraecrucis) until 1946 was found in the floodplains of the Rio Grande River in the state of Texas and near the San Jacinto mountain range. Now the subspecies has survived only in Mexico, where it is also endangered. The total length of the predator reaches 2.4 meters, weight varies from 125 to 150 kg. Individuals living in Texas were smaller in size - the body length of males did not exceed 193 cm, females 154 cm, Weight Limit animals was within 90 kg. The main color of the coat is orange or yellowish. The back and sides of jaguars are decorated with characteristic rosettes, the belly of the paws and belly are decorated with dark solid spots. Favorite food: sea turtle eggs.
8. Brazilian Jaguar(Panthtera onca palustris) lives in the swampy lowlands of southern Brazil. According to scientists, there are from 6 to 7 adult individuals for every 100 km2 of habitat. It feeds on fish, birds, reptiles, and is not averse to hunting crocodiles.
9. Paraguayan Jaguar(Panthtera onca paraguensis) is found in northern Argentina, Paraguay, southern and western Bolivia, with isolated populations remaining in central Argentina. The indigenous population calls the predator "Jaguarete". The habitat of this jaguar is tropical rainforests in eastern Paraguay, semi-desert landscapes of the Gran Chaco. In the territory protected areas According to zoologists, there are more than one thousand jaguars. Predators are diurnal with activity peaks in the morning and late afternoon. Males occupy areas of up to 60 km 2, females - up to 30 km 2. The diet includes turtles, peccaries, mazamas, tapirs. Female jaguars give birth between the beginning of November and the end of December.

1. Goldman's jaguar hunt was not only commercial, but also sporting in nature. Total number the number of individuals allowed to be killed in one year was 45. The ban on shooting animals was introduced only in 1986.
2. The ancient Indians ranked the jaguar among the supreme deities and rulers of the Universe and believed in its connection with spirits. The predator symbolized freedom, strength and greatness, was considered the patron of hunting and the messenger of the spirits of the forest.
3. The appearance of a jaguar was the most common totem of the shaman. A ritual dance to the rhythm of a drum imitated the movements of a jaguar, and the man gradually transformed into a predatory beast.
4. A toy yellow and green jaguar named Ginga was the mascot of the Brazilian Olympic team in 2016.
5. On June 20, 2016, a real jaguar took part in the Olympic torch relay in Brazil. The predator was kept on a chain next to a torch, and tourists and athletes took pictures against its background. After the ceremony, the animal was taken to the zoo, from where it soon escaped. It was never possible to catch the jaguar alive; during the pursuit and after four unsuccessful attempts to euthanize the predator, it was shot.
6. Jaguars use their tail to attract fish. They dip the tip of their tail into the water, like a fisherman with a fishing rod, and wait for prey to be tempted by it.
7. At short distances, the animal can reach speeds of up to 90 km per hour, but the jaguar quickly runs out of steam and cannot pursue its prey for a long time.
8. It is possible that the jaguar can not only growl, but also imitate the sounds of various animals and birds. In this simple way, the jaguar's victims are lured into a trap.

Jaguar (Panthera Onca) - carnivorous mammal cat family. The jaguar is the third (fourth if you count the liger) in terms of cat size after the tiger and lion in the wild. It is also the largest and most powerful cat in Western Hemisphere.

The Jaguar is a very muscular cat. Although it is similar to a leopard, it is distinguished by a more powerful structure - relatively short, massive legs and a powerful chest. It differs from a leopard in that the jaguar has rosettes on its skin. black spot in the center. The habitat characteristics and behavior of this cat are very similar to the tiger.

Jaguars live both in the grasslands and tropical forests of South and Central America, and in the desert, in the southern part North America(Arizona). The extinct species lived in Asia, Europe and Africa, where they developed 2 million years ago. Analysis of mitochondrial DNA shows, however, that the jaguar appeared 280-510 thousand years ago. Later than fossil finds suggest.

The jaguar has the most powerful jaws of any big cat.

It is an excellent swimmer and chooses to live in areas rich in water (swamps). He likes to settle in periodically flooded forests and bushes along rivers.

Jaguars are rarely seen on open spaces. They feel great in shaded conditions tropical forest. The characteristic coloring of the skin gives these animals ideal camouflage between spots of light and shadow, which makes hunting easier.

Jaguars, as a rule, have white fur on their belly, inner paws, throat, and chin. The back and sides of the body are partially covered with black, round or oblong spots.

In all subspecies of jaguar, despite significant differences in color, you can always find a black spot at the corner of the mouth and dark spots with a white or yellow spot on the back behind the ear.

Although rare, dark or completely black jaguars are also found and are often called the "Black Panther". Similar patterns are found in leopards. Dark color in cats (jaguar and leopard) it is caused big amount pigment (melanin).

The jaguar hunts primarily on the ground (although it can climb trees), mostly at night. He uses the power of his jaw to attack and usually kills with one blow. At short distances, the jaguar can run very quickly, but at the same time it gets tired very quickly, so it is not his thing to chase the prey. strong point. These animals, like most cats, use the element of surprise.

Listen to the voice of a jaguar

Usually the victims of these cats are large mammals(tapirs, capybaras, peccaries). When they are hungry they can eat small mammals, birds, turtles and caimans, as well as fish. A jaguar can easily catch fish with its front paw, just like bears do. After the hunt, the jaguar hides the body of the victim in a safe place. The remains are buried in the ground. When hungry or if threatened, they may attack people.

Jaguars were the object of worship of Native Americans, including the ancient Mayans and Aztecs.

Do you know that:

Jaguar has the most strong jaws among all cats.
Most For years, jaguars live alone, like tigers.
During the mating season (August and September), males fight for females.
At birth, jaguar kittens weigh 0.7-0.9 kg.
Sometimes the jaguar is called the "black panther".
Jaguars are very difficult to train.
In zoos, these cats often live two and even three times longer than in the wild.
Jaguars reproduce every two years.