South America - Jaguar

Jaguars are magnificent cats that prowl the South American jungles. They are fascinating to learn about! To jump to a section, use our Quick Jump below by clicking on the desired heading.

Sizes
-Length: 44-73 inches
-Tail:18-30 inches
-Weight: Male:125-250 lbs.
Female:100-200 lbs.

Jaguar in the Amazon Rainforest.
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Habitat and Habits
-Adults live alone
-young stay with mother about 2 years
        -then go find their own hunting territory
-size of territory depends on food availability
        -if plenty of food: circular area of 3 miles
        -scarce food:over 200 sq.miles
-The main population live in the Orinoco Basin of Venezuela
-Everywhere else that they are found in the wild, they are endangered

Jaguars are endangered because of hunting for their fur.
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Food and Feeding
-they eat mainly forests animals from mice to deer
-they wait in trees for unsuspecting prey
-hunt mainly at night
-can run short distances quickly to overtake their prey
        -however, they tire quickly
-like to catch and eat fish, frogs, turtles, small alligators
-proficient swimmers
        -especially skilled at catching fish
-will eat domestic animals
        -especially where the forest has been cleared for farmland

Jaguars prefer to wait in the trees for prey, but they may stay on the ground.
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Jaguars and Man
-once found in the range between Arizona and Argentina
-hunting for fur has reduced population to fewer than 200 in Argentina
-All subspecies are endangered. Many are extinct except in zoos.

Links for More Information
-Wildlife Waystation : Jaguar