Name: Jaguar (scientific name: Panthera Onca)
​
Description: The jaguar is the largest wild cat in the Americas—North America and South America. Jaguars are known for their tan coat and distinctive black spots. Interestingly enough, these spots are called “rosettes” because the pattern resembles that of a rose. A jaguar’s coat is normally tan but their color can vary. Some jaguars have a reddish brown to black coat. As you can see in the pictures, some jaguars are so dark that they appear to be spotless. However, with close inspection, their markings or “rosettes” can be seen.
Diet: Jaguars play an important role in controlling populations of other species. Since jaguars are the top predators in their environment, they help control the populations of other species. This carnivore's diet consists of over 80 different species. Jaguars eat anything that they can catch including birds, deer, monkeys, fish, turtles, and frogs. Although they mainly hunt on the ground, jaguars can climb trees to pounce on their prey from above. The colors of their coat act as a camouflage making them difficult to see among grass, sandy banks, and trees.
​
Unlike most cats, this feline loves water. It is not unusual to see a jaguar bathing and playing in water. They are the most aquatic of all the big cats. Often, jaguars stalk along the banks of rivers and streams in search of prey. They "tip toe" to avoid making much sound or splashing in the water.
​Habitat: Believe it or not, the jaguar used to roam all the way from the Grand Canyon in Arizona to Argentina in South America. Today, jaguars are endangered throughout their range and have been almost eliminated from the United States (U.S.). However, they can be found in remote regions near the U.S. and Mexico border. The jaguar is more popularly found in Central and South America, particularly in the Amazon Basin. Jaguars live in a variety of habitats including rainforests, swamps, grasslands, and mountainous areas.
​
Family: Most females have litters of one to four cubs. They are born blind, which makes them vulnerable and extremely dependent on their mother. The mother fiercely protects her cubs from other animals. She teaches them how to hunt for a few years before they depart their separate ways. Aside from raising cubs, jaguars are known to be solitary animals. Jaguars mark their territories with waste and by clawing trees.
Threat to Survival: It is estimated that only 15,000 jaguars remain in the wild. This small population of jaguars is fighting for survival. Significant declines in their population has been caused by many factors including habitat loss, human intolerance, and poaching.
-
Habitat loss is one of the main threats to jaguars. Their living space is being destroyed at increasing rates, which reduces the living space available for jaguars and other wildlife. These rare cats then are forced to adapt and find other homes or, unfortunately, perish. Currently, the leading cause of deforestation in the Amazon Rainforest is cattle ranching. Nearly ¼ of the rainforest is already gone. However, as destruction persists, much more is expected to vanish at an alarming rate. Amazon forests are being chopped down every year the size of the state New Jersey.
-
Human intolerance also contributes to the decline of jaguar populations. When their habitats are lost, jaguars may be displaced from their natural prey. From this, jaguars search for other sources of food like domestic cattle. This creates human intolerance and hostile feelings towards jaguars from a lot of ranchers and farmers. Sometimes, this leads to additional killings of jaguars.
-
Poaching, or illegal hunting and catching, puts jaguars at risk. As discussed previously, jaguars have beautifully rosette-spotted coats. Poachers kill jaguars for their prized coat to sell in illegal markets or keep as trophies. Thanks to anti-fur movements and laws, this has decreased a bit. In addition, jaguars are also sought after for their paws and teeth. These parts are still in demand for traditional medicines.
Did You Know:
-
Jaguars are excellent swimmers! These daredevils have been known to even swim across the Panama Canal.
Did You Know:
-
Jaguar mothers are so protective that they do not even allow the father to be around the cubs.
Did You Know:
-
Like other big cats, jaguars can roar. And, it is loud! Their roar sounds like a deep, chesty cough.
-
In some ancient Native American cultures, the Jaguar God of Night was a fearsome lord of the underworld.
Did You Know:
-
The name jaguar comes from the Native American word “yaguar”, which means“he who kill with one leap.”
-
Jaguars are equipped with such powerful jaws and sharp teeth that they are able to take-down a crocodile.
Jaguar
Check this page out to learn about the Amazon's largest feline. In addition, make sure to browse through the provided activities and recommended books that make learning fun!
Activities
Bring Out Their Inner Author
Creative writing and drawing builds upon a child’s reading and writing skills. While children find it to be fun, this creative activity will definitely be a treasured keepsake.
​
You may have your child(ren) engage in this provided prompt below. Or, create one of your own!
​
Imagine journeying to the Amazon Rainforest with our new friend, Jaguar. Together we will explore the hot and rainy jungle. Describe what adventures you may find.
​
With lined or a blank piece of paper, have your child(ren) use their imagination and write-out their response. Better yet, have them draw a picture to accompany their story.
Books
Sources
​“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go."
– Dr. Seuss, I Can Read With My Eyes Shut!
​
Books offer a way for children to dive into the wondrous world of the jungle. Readers will experience fun adventures and meet new friends. Check out these jungle books below. All these recommended books are under $10. These affordable fictional children stories can be found at a variety of locations. However, I provided links to them for Walmart’s online store. If you are interested, click on the links. Please note that prices may vary for shipping and may fluctuate over time.
"Rumble in the Jungle" was published in 2002. It was written by Giles Andreae and illustrated by David Wojtowycz.
​
"Rumble in the Jungle" introduces children to 13 different jungle animals including elephants, giraffes, tigers, and chimpanzees. Accompanied by brightly colored illustrations, each animal has short rhyme. This rhyming board book not only offers poetry but also allows children to identity different animals in the jungle in a fun, interactive way.
​
Check out the following link to view more details of this short story at Walmart:
"Walking through the Jungle" was published by Barefoot Books in 2011.
​
This paperback includes a CD of sing-along songs. But that’s not it! This CD also includes a video for viewers to hike through a rainforest, swim in the ocean, or even climb a mountain on this adventurous journey. Walking through the Jungle offers many rhymes making learning fun. Different actions, animal sounds, and exotic settings are offered as interactive activities for children to participate in.
​
Feel free to check out "Walking through the Jungle" at Walmart with the following link: "Walking through the Jungle".
"If I Were a Jungle Animal" was written by Tom and Amanda Ellery and published in 2009.
​
"If I Were a Jungle Animal" is filled with bold, colorful pictures that reflect the main character’s, Morton, daydream of being different jungle animals. One day when he is bored playing baseball, he envisions how exciting the jungle life would be. He pictures himself as a lion, monkey, zebra, and many more exotic animals. As his imagination takes him on a wild adventure, Morton’s daydream is popped when a fly ball comes his way. Can he catch it?
​
If you are interested in finding out the rest of this fun tale, you may view more details about "If I Were a Jungle Animal" at Walmart with the following link:
"Down in the Jungle" was written by Elisa Squillace and published in 2005.
This fictional story takes children on an adventure way down in the jungle. It says that if you are very quiet, you may see all of the fun and busy jungle animals. Children figure out what all of the animals’ hustle-and-bustle, is about by peeking through die-cut holes on each page. Later, the book provides sing-along rhyming songs and imitations to follow the animals’ actions.
​
Click on the link to view more details about this book at Walmart:
"Jungle Party" was published in 2006. It was written by Brain Wildsmith.
​
It features a tricky character named Python who invites all of the jungle animals to a party. While this hungry mastermind tries to prey on some of the animals, Elephant comes and saves the day! Wildsmith's short story is characterized by beautifully painted exotic animals that will enchant any reader.
Feel free to also view this affordable book at Walmart via the following link:
​
BBC News
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iY1y98aYs5M
​
Defenders of Wildlife
http://www.defenders.org/jaguar/basic-facts
​
National Geographic
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/j/jaguar/
​
NY Daily News
​
San Diego Zoo
http://zoo.sandiegozoo.org/sites/default/files/animal_hero/T12_0415_095.jpg
​
World Atlas
http://www.worldatlas.com/articles/where-do-jaguars-live.html
​
World Wild fund for Nature (WWF)