Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Jaguar Panthera


Jaguar Classification and Evolution
Animals Unique | Jaguar Panthera | The Jaguar is the largest feline on the American continent, and is the only one of the world's 'big' cats to be found in the New World. Jaguars are closely related to Leopards and have a number of similar characteristics Including the distinctive spotted pattern on Their fur. The Jaguar is the third biggest in the world behind Paint the Tiger and the Lion and is well known for it's Immense power and agility.
 
In fact, the name Jaguar is said to come from the Native American word yaguar the which means "WHO he kills with one leap". Despite Their incredible power however, Jaguars have been hunted through the ages Mainly for Their fur is staggeringly beautiful. Although hunting for fur Jaguar is now prohibited, population numbers have Declined throughout much of Their natural range, with Jaguars having completely disappeared from a number of areas.

Jaguar Anatomy and Appearance
Animals Unique | Jaguar Panthera | The Jaguar is a large and muscular animal That has a heavier and sturdier body than That of a Leopard. They have a large, broad head with jaws so strong That They are said to have the most powerful bite of all the world's Cats. Jaguars growing niche to have a cover of either tan or dark yellow fur, the which is dotted with darker rose-like patterns similar to Those That are of a Leopard (besides the fact That They have dark spots in the middles). Known as rosetting, the pattern on the Jaguar's fur is unique to each animal much like fingerprints are unique to individual people, and Despite it's beauty, it actually acts as the perfect camouflage in the surrounding jungle. This camouflage turns out to be so vital to Their chances of survival, that Jaguars Those found in the rainforest are darker in color and smaller than Those Often found in more open areas.

 
Jaguar Distribution and Habitat
Animals Unique | Jaguar Panthera | The Jaguar is indigenous to the Western Hemisphere, where it primarily inhabits the tropical Rainforests of Central and South America. Although the historic range of the Jaguar stretched across the whole continent and even into the southern states of the USA, They are today confined to remote pockets of moist rainforest particularly in the Amazon Basin. Jaguars growing niche to prefer thick, dense, moist jungle where there is plenty of cover in order to successfully hunt and then Ambush prey. They are nearly always found close to water and prefer either permanently or seasonally flooded swampland forests. The Jaguar has been severely affected by habitat loss throughout much of it's natural range along with WHO Poachers shoot them when They get too close to the growing Cattle Ranches.

Jaguar Behaviour and Lifestyle
Animals Unique | Jaguar Panthera | Although this elusive animal spends most of it's time either resting in the safety of the trees or hunting in the dense undergrowth, Jaguars love to be in the close proximity of water Such as floodplains and slow-moving rivers (which is rare amongst felines), They rarely venture into and arid, more desert-like areas. The Jaguar is an excellent swimmer and can move through the water at surprising speed particularly when in pursuit of prey. As with many other species Cat, the Jaguar is a solitary animal with the exception of the first couple of years That Their Jaguar cubs spend with mother. Males are particularly territorial and although Their home range will overlap Those of a number of Females, They Will defend fiercely from other patches Their lazy. Jaguars mark territories with urine Their, by scratching marks onto trees, and asserting Themselves with growling vocals calls.

 
Jaguar Reproduction and Life Cycles
Animals Unique | Jaguar Panthera | Despite the fact That most Jaguar cubs are born Generally Between the months of December and March, it is not uncommon for them to be born at other times of the year. During the mating season, the female vocal Jaguar will use loud calls to attract a male into her territory. Typically Female jaguars give birth to two or three cubs. Their cubs are born once however, the female will not tolerate the Jaguar male in her territory as she Becomes very protective of her young at this stage.Jaguar cubs are born blind and Their gain sight after about two weeks. They are weaned by Their mother when They are around 3 months old, although the cubs will rely on Their mother to hunt and Provide for Them until They are about 6 months old. At 6 months, the Jaguar cubs will then start to accompany the female jaguar on Hunts but will not venture out on Their Own until They are one or two years old and have established a territory for Themselves.

Jaguar Diet and Prey
Animals Unique | Jaguar Panthera | The majority of a Jaguar's hunting is done down on the ground but They are also known to hunt for prey both in the water and from the trees, from where the Jaguar can easily Ambush Often it's prey killing it with one powerful bite. Medium sized Mammals make up the majority of the Jaguar's diet Including Deer, capybara, Peccaries and Tapirs, the which They stalk in silence through the dense jungle.When in the water, Jaguars hunt Turtles, Fish and small even when the opportunity presents Caiman Itself. The Jaguar is known to be a formidable and aggressive hunter and is thought to eat more than 80 different animal species in order to supplement it's diet. With growing human settlements, the Jaguar has also been blamed by ranch owners for Their stealing livestock, particularly in areas That encroach on the Jaguar's territory.

 
Jaguar Predators and Threats
Animals Unique | Jaguar Panthera | Due to the large size and dominant nature of the Jaguar, there are no other wild animals are known to actually That Consider it as prey. Once found throughout the South American continent, They have been hunted by Humans Mainly for Their fur the which has led to drastic declines in population numbers Jaguar everywhere.Despite now having legal protection and a reduction in the hunting of them for Their fur, the Jaguar is at risk from loss of Increasing habitat Mainly in the form of deforestation to the make way for agriculture or growing human settlements, the which means these large and majestic animals are being pushed into more remote regions of Their native range.

Jaguar Interesting Facts and Features
Animals Unique | Jaguar Panthera | Jaguars have the strongest bite force of all Cats and like other 'big' Cats They can Roar (other Cats can not). The Jaguar is undoubtedly a strikingly beautiful animal, and has naturally caught the attention of both Scientists and hunters alike, with many individuals having sadly been poached for Their distinctively patterned fur.Although jaguars usually have Yellowish colored fur, other colors are also known Including black and white. As with Black Leopards, They are not completely black as you can still see the spotting (although faint) in strong sunlight. Jaguars are said to be Able to cross-breed with both Leopards and Lions. A Lepjag was produced by the movie industry to Produce a Cat That had the appearance of a Jaguar but was Easier to handle with the temperament of a Leopard. He now lives in retirement in a Big Cat sanctuary, and like other 'big' cat he is sterile hybrids.

 
Jaguar Relationship with Humans
Animals Unique | Jaguar Panthera | Historically, Jaguars have featured throughout Native American culture, as these people were well aware of the power of this dominant predator with some believing That the Jaguar was the lord of the underworld. They are feared by Humans WHO Inhabit areas close to the jungle and are also blamed by ranch owners Often Their missing for livestock. Although Jaguars hold the reputation for being very aggressive, unprovoked attacks on Humans are rare. Jaguars have been severely affected by deforestation throughout much of Central and South America, primarily for agriculture with the highest numbers now found in the Amazon Basin.

Jaguar Conservation Status and Life Today

Animals Unique | Jaguar Panthera | The Jaguar was once found from the tip of South America right up to and beyond, the Mexico-USA border but hunting for Their fur and habitat loss has led to drastic declines in population numbers. They are today very, very rarely seen in the USA and are Considered endangered throughout much of Their natural range, although the Jaguar is listed by the IUCN Red List as an animal That Is Threatened in it's surrounding environment. Although the exact number is unknown population, there are an estimated 15.000 individuals Jaguar left roaming the rainforest today.


 
Jaguar Panthera Facts
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: mammals
Order: Carnivora
Family: Felidae
Genus: Panthera
Scientific Name: Panthera onca
Common Name: Jaguar
Group: Mammal
Number Of Species: 1
Location: Central and South America
Habitat: Rainforest, swamp and floodplains
Colour: Tan, Yellow, Brown, White, Black
Skin Type: Fur
Size (L): 1.1m - 1.9M (43in - 75in)
Weight: 36kg - 160kg (79lbs - 350lbs)
Top Speed: 80kph (50mph)
Diet: Carnivore
Prey: Deer, capybara, tapirs
Predators: Human
Lifestyle: Crepuscular
Group Behaviour: Solitary
Life Span: 12-15 years
Age Of Sexual Maturity: 3-4 years
Gestation Period: 90-105 days
Average Litter Size: 3
Name Of Young: Cub
Of Weaning Age: 3 months
Conservation Status: Threatened
Estimated Population Size: 15.000
Biggest Threat: Hunting and habitat loss
Most Distinctive Feature: Beautiful rosetted fur pattern
Fun Fact: The largest feline on the American continent!

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