Often confused with the Leopard, the Jaguar can be easily identified by its short, stocky appearance, and the tiny spots, within its spots. The Jaguar lives in the Amazon Basin, near forest underbrush and savannahs, sometimes even in swamps. They have to stay near water because they are excellent swimmers. They hunt down their prey of choice, a wild pig known as the Peccary, and also the Capybara, considered to be the largest rodent in the world. Active for more than half of a 24-hour period, these creatures hunt from dusk until dawn, and immediately kill their catch by piercing the animal’s skull with its enormous canines.

           Living solitary hunter lives, the Jaguar sleeps in trees and marks its territory by peeing on the boundaries of its habitat. When the Jaguars reach their sexual maturity and mate, they give birth to a litter of 2-4 cubs. The cubs will stay with their mother until they learn to hunt and fend for themselves in two years. In the wild, the Jaguars live up to 12 years, while they have lived up to 20 while in captivity. These cats can grow to a length of 7 feet and weigh almost 200 pounds.

           Estimated to have a total population of about 290 worldwide, the Jaguar is considered an endangered species due to habitat loss, poaching and extermination. Locals shoot them on site because of their habit of killing cattle. Their fur pays high on the black market, and deforestation has separated its species into smaller habitats, making them vulnerable to human attackers. Once living in the South-West of America and Mexico, these magnificent creatures are losing the last place they can call home.