Jaguar

By Zach Shimek

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Jaguar

The scientific name of the Jaguar is Panthera onca. The common name is Jaguar.                                

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Statistics

• Most jaguars have a orange or yellow coat with black spots. The spots are on their head and legs, and they have rosettes on their back.

• Some jaguars are completely black. They also have spots, but can only be seen in the light.

• The average weight of the jaguar is 124-211 pounds. Some larger males have been recorded to be 350 pounds.

• The length of the jaguar varies from 5.3-6 feet. • The top speed of the jaguar is 50 MPH.

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Habitat

• Jaguars live in South America, Central America, and the southern parts of North America.

• Jaguars live in the rain forest, grasslands, and the woods.

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Specific Habitat• All jaguars live next to the water, and unlike

most other cats they enjoy the water.• Jaguars are mostly found in thick, dense, and

moist areas where they have good coverage to help them hunt.

• The most amount of jaguars found today is around the Amazon Basin.

• A vast amount of tropical plants, deer, alligators, fish,etc. live where the jaguars roam.

Food source, Population Size and Conservation Status

The jaguar’s main prey are deer, birds, and fishes.

They also sometimes eat baby alligators, turtles, and wild pigs.

The jaguar population size is estimated to be around 15,000, and it is a threatened species.

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Reproduce and Social Structure/ Hunting Behavior

Jaguar cubs are usually born between the months of December and March

The average litter size is 3. Jaguars spend most of its life in solitary except for mating and when

the cub lives its first couple of years with its mother. Jaguars prefer to be in an area of tall plants to take cover for hunting. The jaguar stalks then ambushes its prey and uses its extremely

strong teeth and powerful bite.

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Ecological Role and Human Interaction

The jaguar is a predator that helps keep its prey from overpopulation.

Jaguars attacks on humans are rare over the history.

They’re often poached for their attractive fur, and they’re killed by farmers because they attack their livestock

Works Cited

Bond, Millie. "Jaguar - Animals." A-Z Animals - Animal Facts, Information, Pictures, Videos, Resources and Links. A-z. Web. 02 May 2011.

"Jaguars, Jaguar Pictures, Jaguar Facts - National Geographic." Animals, Animal Pictures, Wild Animal Facts - National Geographic. National Geographic. Web. 02 May 2011.

von Zumbusch, Amelie. "Jaguars: World’s Strongest Cats." PowerKids Life Science, Rosen Publishing Group, Inc., 2011. 02 May. 2011