Beyond the story
The largest cat in the Americas
The jaguar, Panthera onca, is the largest cat native to the Americas. Its coat often has dark, rose-shaped markings called rosettes, with spots inside them. Some jaguars have very dark coats, but their pattern can still be present.
Where is home?
Jaguars use a variety of habitats, including tropical forests and wetlands. Brazil’s Pantanal is a vast wetland landscape where waterways, seasonally flooded grasslands and patches of forest meet. Protecting connections between habitats lets jaguars move through their wider range.
A life in the wild
Usually solitary, jaguars are capable swimmers and hunters. Their prey includes capybaras and caimans. Water is an important part of their world, rather than something this big cat always avoids.
A future worth protecting
Habitat loss and conflict with people can put jaguars at risk. In the Pantanal, conservation includes research, protecting habitat and helping cattle ranchers share the landscape with these predators.
Wildlife facts and further reading:
San Diego Zoo · Jaguars (opens in a new tab)Panthera · Jofre Velho, Brazil (opens in a new tab)
