The third biggest cat in the world after tigers and lions, the jaguar can reach almost 2.5 meters in length and weigh up to 113kg, a bulk required for hunting large prey, although it is worth noting they can differ greatly in size across different regions. Jaguars have a leopard like appearance with fur that is tan or orange in colour, and spots called “rosettes” often featuring a complex pattern of central dots.
Jaguars are the only big cat to live in the America’s (they were worshipped as Gods in ancient cultures), mostly found in rainforest and tropical wetlands. According to National Geographic, the jaguar once colonised a vast area from central Argentina up to the southwest of the US but they have lost over half this territory since the 1880’s. Now mainly found in the Amazon Basin and the Pantanal in much smaller numbers. WWF estimates Brazil may hold around half the remaining population of jaguars.
Keen swimmers, jaguars hunt fish, turtles, and even caiman! These carnivorous cats have a diet rich in meat too, with prey including deer, capybaras, and even South America’s largest animal the tapir. Jaguars are nocturnal as well as diurnal, meaning they are capable of night-time and daytime hunting, often travelling over six miles in search of a meal.
Female jaguars usually have litters of two cubs (but can sometimes birth four). Jaguar cubs are born blind so are totally dependent on their mother. They remain with her for around two years while she fiercely protects them from predators, even their father, until they are ready to fend for themselves.
The jaguar is at an extinction status of ‘near threatened’ and according to Wildlife Conservation Society they face threats mostly from humans including:
As an world-wide event, International Jaguar Day is observed in many different ways. It doesn't matter where you live, or whether you’re an individual or business, you can celebrate by:
We’ve produced the new short documentary, Jaguar Spirit. This film is a personal journey uncovering how Bolivia became the centre of the illegal jaguar trade.
Watch Jaguar Spirit now:
News
Our shocking report reveals a deadly trade of jaguar body parts being trafficked illegally from the South American country of Suriname. We urge the government to protect these wild animals.
Press release
Alarming footage captured by World Animal Protection and WildCRU (Wildlife Conservation Research Unit, University of Oxford) reveals the heart-breaking moment a pangolin is brutally killed for its body parts to be sold on the black market, in Assam, north-eastern India.
News
Some of the world’s most iconic animals – such as jaguars, ocelots, tapirs, sloths, river dolphins, macaws, parrots, and anacondas – as well as pets, are grave risk as fires continue to blaze through the Amazon rainforest. We’re working with local authorities and rescue centres to help
Blog
There’s a roaring trade in big cats being used for traditional Asian medicine, and it’s clawing its way across the globe