Jaguar - the largest cat in South America, is listed in the international Red Book. The reason for the introduction was the massive deforestation of the Amazonian forests and hunting for predators for the sake of painted luxurious fur.

Despite all this, jaguars breed well in captivity and live a little over 20 years, which is an order of magnitude more than in the wild. Therefore, they are actively kept in zoos.

The average weight of an adult jaguar is about 100 kg. By genetic characteristics, it is closest to the African leopard, however, it cannot boast of high speed.

Jaguar habitat

Over the past 100 years, the habitat of the jaguar has declined and extends from southern Central America to the server of Argentina. The territorial area (in the form of a triangle) of the personal possession of these animals varies from 20 to 180 km, as adult males need a large area for hunting. First of all, the hunting area is determined by the place of residence of the predator. Depending on the amount of living prey on its territory, it can be delayed in one of the sites for weeks.

What does a jaguar eat?

The diet of the jaguar includes almost all representatives of the local fauna - from rodents and snakes to black caimans and deer. The jaguar can easily crack down on an adult freshwater turtle by breaking its strong shell or simply biting it with its teeth, this is another difference between this feline breed and other brethren.

South American farmers and livestock farmers have reported attacks by formidable predators. A jaguar can be found in a diverse territory, both in the jungle and in the open, only if there is a place for shelter during the hunt.

Hunting

In most countries of South America, jaguars are active both at sunset and at dawn. The ability to sneak up and almost perfect camouflage helps to track the prey to the jaguars. Skin spots are the perfect camouflage on the ground. The jaguar attacks from an ambush, sneaking up on the victim from the back, it is quite capable of attacking an animal larger than itself.

A wide nose and pointed ears help to feel and hear the prey at a long distance. Like all representatives of the feline family, the mustache is a touch organ that helps to navigate in space, have first-class night vision.

The jaguar has the most powerful jaws among the feline of its size. Short paws and sharp claws are excellent components for climbing any cat. The jaguar often hides in the trees, waiting for the victim, and then with one powerful jump knocks it down. It is rare when it feeds on carrion. The ability to kill prey with a single (bone-destroying) bite made the jaguar one of the most ferocious and aggressive predators in South America; it can eat prey either one day or several.

Breeding

Jaguars are predominantly solitary. Males approach females cautiously, their meeting is the moment of the highest tension (will accept or attack).Mating games of the jaguars are devoid of tenderness. It is difficult for these animals to create a pair: the female lures the male and drives him away. A distinctive feature of the jaguars is the possibility of their crossing with representatives of other species of predatory animals and the ability to bring offspring ready for breeding, which is considered a rarity in the wild.

The period of gestation by the female is a little more than 3 months, from 1 to 4 kittens are born, each weighing about 1 kilogram, in the future they are raised only by the female. The first months the mother hunts near the lair with the cubs, which greatly limits her ability to catch prey. Jaguars grow quickly enough, therefore, having matured a little, they, like their mother, can tear pieces of meat into pieces (from 3 years they become mature). After growing up, males, unlike females, immediately go off to find a new territory.

Is a jaguar dangerous for humans?

The jaguar secretly lives and hunts, it is a real hermit, it rarely attacks a person. Even the most ordinary behavior of these cats is hidden from us. They are trying in every possible way to avoid meeting a person. Jaguars are at the top of the food chain, hunting alone. Unlike the vast majority of felines, jaguars love waterare perfect swimmers and fish.

Jaguar in culture

In ancient cultures, these animals were considered gods due to their beauty, strength and speed. Many tribes of the ancient Indians called the jaguar a loyal hunter. The roar of the jaguar resembles the sound of sawing wood, sonorous and lingering.