Interesting Facts About Jaguars

Jaguars are beautiful and powerful animals. They are found in North, South and Central America. For years, this beautiful feline has been a vital part of myths and legends. The jaguar was even revered by many ancient cultures. Read this informative article to find out some interesting facts about jaguars.

The jaguar is the largest South American cat.

Jaguars are tan or orange colored with black spots. They are often mistaken for leopards. Jaguars do resemble leopards but jaguars are stockier and heavier with short thick tails.

The name Jaguar is derived from the Native American word yaguar meaning "he who kills with one leap."

Jaguars are excellent swimmers.

Jaguars are carnivores that prey on deer, tapir and other animals.

Jaguars inhabit rainforests, swampy areas, grasslands, woodlands and even desert areas.

Jaguars are 5 to 6 feet in length and weigh between 100 to 250 pounds.

The average lifespan of a jaguar is 12 to 15 years in the wild and between 20 to 25 years in captivity.

Jaguars stalk and ambush prey at night.

Jaguars have large jaws and sharp teeth that allow them to eat turtles. They use their powerful jaws to open the shells.

Several ancient cultures such as the Aztecs and Mayans worshiped the jaguar as a god.

Although jaguars have good day vision they have better vision at night.

Jaguars are pretty much loners. They are solitary animals that usually only come together to breed.

The status of jaguars is endangered.

Jaguars can mate at any time of the year. Females give birth to a litter of 2 to 4 cubs after a gestation period of 100 days. Mothers feed their cubs until they are about a year old. Cubs will remain with their mother until the age of 2 years. Females reach sexual maturity between 2 to 3 years and males reach sexual maturity between 3 to 4 years.

The main threats to jaguars are poaching and deforestation. Jaguars are legally protected throughout much of their range.

The jaguar has no predators other than humans.

The jaguar is an expert at catching fish.

Jaguars are the third largest cat in the feline family. Only lions and tigers are larger.

Black jaguars are known as panthers. This is a name often given to black leopards as well.

Although jaguars tend to avoid humans they have been known to attack if threatened.

Jaguars have long been a symbol of strength, power and beauty.

Jaguars are most closely related to lions, tigers and leopards.

Although rare an occasional albino jaguar will be born.

There are 8 subspecies of jaguar and they are all endangered.

Sources:

www.sandiegozoo.org

www.bigcatrescue.org

www.zoo.org

www.catsurvivaltrust.org