EcoWorld - Big Cats

The third largest cat in the world (after tigers and lions), and the largest western hemisphere cat. Subspeciation in jaguars is under debate; all captive jaguars are currently managed as one meta-population. They look like a larger, stronger cousin of the leopard. Their rosettes are larger and set farther apart, with enclosed spots more common than in the leopard. They are much more muscular, in particular in the neck region. They are one of only a few cats that enjoy water.

In many areas they are declining or near extinction, however they are listed as Near Threatened because of the large numbers surviving in the Amazon basin rain forests. Overall they are close to Vulnerable status, with three potential subspecies being in worse shape. They face extirpation at the hands of local cattle ranchers, fragmentation of forest habitats, deforestation rates of up to 15%, and competition with humans for prey.

Weight: males can reach up to 300 pounds in the Pantanal region of Brazil, but are more commonly 250 pounds, with females about 200 pounds. Jaguars in northern Mexico are only about 150 pounds for males, 100 for females.

Height: measured at the shoulder, 68-76cm(26-30 inches) for males and 45-57cm(18-22 inches) for females.

Lifespan: in captivity, up to 23 years.

Habitat and Range: Jaguars from Mexico are rarely seen in the southwest USA, with their prevailing numbers in South and Central America down to north Argentina. Jaguars have been extinct in the far north of the USA since the 1800's. Small populations can be found in South and central Mexico.

Jaguars are found in a variety of bioregions including forest, Savanna, scrub and desert, but always near a supply of water, which they never venture far from. They are lowland animals but have been sighted at higher mountain altitudes.

Endangered Status: endangered