Jaguars are a spotted cat that resembles the leopard, although it is larger and sturdier. The pattern of the jaguar's spots is easily distinguishable from the leopard. There are estimated to be 200 jaguars living in Costa Rica and most believe that they live in Corcovado National Park.

Jaguar Behavior & Habitat

Its behavior and habitat are closer to those of the tiger. The jaguar's DNA shows that it is related to the lion, tiger, and leopard. This group of cats is between six to ten million years old.

It is a stalk-and-ambush predator and is opportunistic. As a dominant predator, the jaguar is exceptionally powerful and is able to pierce the shells of armored reptiles. It bites directly through the skull of prey between the ears to deliver a fatal blow. The jaguar hunts wild animals weighing up to 300kg (660 lbs) in dense jungle.

The jaguar is considered nocturnal but is most active during dawn and dusk. It is fond of walking on man-made trails at night. Large cat tracks on river beaches are usually those of a jaguar. They roam close to rivers and lakes and are often found in areas of the tropical forest where water is nearby.

It weights up to 90kg (200 lbs)and grows to about 1.5 m (5 ft) tall. The base coat of the jaguar is generally a tawny yellow, but can range to reddish-brown and black. Forest jaguars are frequently darker and considerably smaller than those found in open areas. The spots on the head and neck are generally solid, as are those on the tail, where they may merge to form a band. The underbelly, throat and outer surface of the legs and lower flanks are white.

Jaguar Food

It weights up to 90kg (200 lbs) and grows to about 1.5 m (5 ft) tall. The base coat of the jaguar is generally a tawny yellow, but can range to reddish-brown and black. Forest jaguars are frequently darker and considerably smaller than those found in open areas. The spots on the head and neck are generally solid, as are those on the tail, where they may merge to form a band. The underbelly, throat and outer surface of the legs and lower flanks are white.

It eats everything from turtle eggs to fish and pig-like wild peccary and its diet encompasses many species. It prefers large prey and will sometimes even take down a crocodile. But, in Central America, jaguars eat armadillos and pacas.

Female jaguars reach sexual maturity at two years and do not appear to have a mating season. Rather, it mates year round. Its gestation period last 93-105 days and can give birth to as many as four cubs. In the wild, it can live up to 15 years.

Links of interest

Jaguars Habitat Fragmented and Shrinking by Mel White, National Geographic.