The jaguar is one of the four big cats that purrs the others being the tiger,lion, & the leopard. The jaguar is mainly found in Central & South America. Its habitat includes tropical forests, Savanna, scrub, desert, swamps, but near water. They rearely venture more than 0.5 km from water.
The jaguar loves water. It attracts fish by swinging its tail underwater. It is also an adept climber & so it is at home in trees, water as well as on ground. The lifespan of a jaguar in the wild is 11 to 16 years while that of a jaguar in captivity is about 22 years.Jaguars are usually yellow-brown with black spots. The side & back shows a circle of spots surrounding a central spot. The head, legs & underside show solid black spots. Some jaguars are even white. Melanistic/black jaguars are also found. They are sometimes confused with black panthers. Black panthers are actually black leopards.
Leopards & jaguars are often confused. The jaguar can be distinguished by irregular shapes within the larger rosette markings. The jaguar has a shorter tail & is stronger, more muscular, more stockily built with stocky forelimbs & a smaller, bulkier & more rounded head. They do not have a necklace of spots unlike the leopards & they have a more muscular neck. Black leopards & black jaguars can be distinguished through their build.
Jaguar coloration & size depends on habitat type. Darker individuals are found in denser forests where dark coloration benefits camouflage. Larger jaguars are found in open plains maybe because larger prey is found here.
The jaguar is very strong. Prey is killed with a powerful bite to the head, neck or throat. Jaguars are the only big cats to regularly kill by piercing the skull. They drag the carcass to shelter to feed.
The jaguar loves water. It attracts fish by swinging its tail underwater. It is also an adept climber & so it is at home in trees, water as well as on ground. The lifespan of a jaguar in the wild is 11 to 16 years while that of a jaguar in captivity is about 22 years.Jaguars are usually yellow-brown with black spots. The side & back shows a circle of spots surrounding a central spot. The head, legs & underside show solid black spots. Some jaguars are even white. Melanistic/black jaguars are also found. They are sometimes confused with black panthers. Black panthers are actually black leopards.
Leopards & jaguars are often confused. The jaguar can be distinguished by irregular shapes within the larger rosette markings. The jaguar has a shorter tail & is stronger, more muscular, more stockily built with stocky forelimbs & a smaller, bulkier & more rounded head. They do not have a necklace of spots unlike the leopards & they have a more muscular neck. Black leopards & black jaguars can be distinguished through their build.
Jaguar coloration & size depends on habitat type. Darker individuals are found in denser forests where dark coloration benefits camouflage. Larger jaguars are found in open plains maybe because larger prey is found here.
The jaguar is very strong. Prey is killed with a powerful bite to the head, neck or throat. Jaguars are the only big cats to regularly kill by piercing the skull. They drag the carcass to shelter to feed.
Source: internet
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