Jaguar

Jaguar

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The Jaguar, also called Jaguar, is the largest cat in the Americas and the third largest in the world, after tigers and lions.

It is a predatory animal (which is at the top of the food chain), carnivorous and vertebrate (it has vertebrae). It belongs to the carnivorous order and to the felidae family. Its scientific name is Panthera onca.

Jaguar

Photo of Onça-Pintada

It has a very important ecological function since it is a predator that assists in the balance of the populations of other animals (prey).

Unfortunately, the jaguar is one of the animals that is on the list of the most endangered.

Ounce-Graffiti Characteristics

Habitat: Where Do They Live?

Jaguars generally live in dense forests. They are scattered in North, Central and South America.

In their natural habitats they live for about 15 years. If raised in captivity, life expectancy can increase by approximately 10 years.

Habits

Jaguars, like all cats, are nocturnal animals. That is, they hunt at night.

Therefore, they sleep during the day near the rivers or in the trees. It is worth mentioning that they are great swimmers and they stay in the water for a long time.

Jaguar

Photo of Jaguar Resting on the Tree

It is very common for them to lick to clean their hair. Curious to note that some lick each other.

When larger, jaguars are solitary animals, which differ from lions.

They are territorialist animals, demarcating their territory with urine, excrement and claw marks, especially in the trees.

Body Structure

Jaguars have strong, sharp teeth to grind their raw foods, as well as elongated and very strong jaws.

Its bite is considered one of the strongest of the animal kingdom. They usually attack the head and neck of an animal that can die at the time of brain damage or suffocation, given the strength and effectiveness of its bite.

Jaguar

Photo of Onça-Pintada yawning

It is a quadruped animal being that its corporal structure is adapted to give great leaps, facilitating the hunting of its prey.

Generally, males are larger than females. Another decisive factor to hunt is the speed of these animals. They hide and approach silently to attack prey.

They have 4 species of "toes" on the hind legs and five on the front legs. Their claws are large, sharp and retractable, allowing them to grasp their prey more accurately.

Jaguars, like most carnivorous animals, have well-developed hearing and smell.

They have excellent night vision, which allows them to hunt and protect themselves from other animals at night.

Its stomach is of rounded shape and possesses great amount of hydrochloric acid to carry out the digestion of the meat. Its tongue is rough, which makes it easy to eat even the meat trapped in the bones.

As for their appearance, they present several pints (called rosettes) on the face and the whole body.

feeding

The jaguar is a carnivorous animal and therefore feeds predominantly on the flesh of other smaller or less agile animals.

For example, deer, capybaras, monkeys, tapirs, armadillos, anteaters, alligators, snakes, fish, wild pigs and various birds.

Jaguar

Photo of Onça-Pintada hunting alligator in the Pantanal

They usually hunt small and medium-sized animals. They are considered opportunists since they hunt any prey that is available.

It is curious to note that some species of jaguars are omnivorous, that is, they eat, besides meat, fruits, roots, seeds, insects, etc.

Understand better about Carnivorous Animals and Onivorous Animals.

reproduction

The jaguar is a mammal. That is, your body is covered with hairs and have lung breathing. Females reach sexual maturity by 2 years of age. Already the males, with approximately 3 years.

Males find females by the odor and vocalizations they perform during the mating season. Note that jaguars are sexually active all year round.

The gestation of females lasts about 3 months. Each litter has 1 to 4 pups, and usually only one of them reaches adulthood.

Jaguar

Photo of cub of Onça-Pintada

It is interesting to note that jaguar pups are born blind and therefore in their first months of life are totally dependent on the mother. Only two weeks after they begin to see.

When it has its puppies, the female feeds them with the milk produced in their breasts. They are breastfed for about 3 months.

From an early age the jaguars learn to hunt with their mother and when they reach adulthood they will live alone marking their territory.

Learn all about Mammals.

Curiosities of the Ounce-Painted

Etymology: The word "Yaguar" (Jaguar) is a term native to North America and means "killer."

Weight: An ounce can weigh between 55 kg and 135 kg. This factor will depend on the animal's habitat. In Brazil, the jaguars of the Pantanal are larger and heavier than