Jaguars are the most powerful cat in the Western Hemisphere. Jaguars are found in Mexico, Central and South America, Southern Arizona & New Mexico, until the early 1900's they roamed also in California, Louisiana & Texas.
Jaguars live in forests, shrubby areas & grasslands -- wherever they can hide. They eat most kinds of animals, which include, deer, fish, wild pigs, tapirs, turtles, rodents & capybaras. Jaguars hunt mainly on the ground & at night.
Jaguars measure from 5-8 1/2 feet (1.6-2.6 meters) long, including their 1 1/2-2 1/2 foot long tail, They weigh from 150-300 pounds. A jaguar has golden fur with black rosettes, the rosettes along a juguars back and sides are light-colored with dark borders and have a dark spot in the center. The rosettes on the head, legs & underside are black. Black Jaguars live in South America, Jaguars symbolized strength & courage to the ancient Maya Indians, who considered the animal a God.
Black Jaguars ("melanistic") & Black Leopards sometimes are more difficult to distinguish between. An expert would be able to recognise that the jaguar has a larger head & stockier forelimbs than a leopard. To confuse matters Black Jaguars are often called "Black Panthers", which is also the name given to Black Leopards!
Male & female jaguars live together only during the mating season. After a pregnancy period of 95-110 days, the female gives birth to 2-4 young. Newborn jaguars weigh between 1 1/2-2 pounds. The young hunt with their mother during their first two years. They reach sexual maturity at the age of 3 and full adult size at the age of 4.
The jaguar is a threatened species. It is abundant in some areas but faces serious danger from hunters & environmental changes.
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