Fact Sheet
Here are the following information set in fact sheet mode. Hopefully by reading these information, it will help furthermore educate your mind about Jaguars. If you were wondering about the information on Black Jaguar, keep in mind that Black Jaguar are the same as Jaguar. They're just different in color variation.
DISCLAIMER: Keep in mind that none of these information are written by me. I do not claim to own or written information.
Regional Names
Jaguar, Jaguarete, Tigre, Yaguar: Spanish-speaking countries
Onca, Onca pintada, Onca cangucu: Brazil
Otorongo: Peru
Penitigri: Surinam
Tig marque: French Guiana
Tiger: Belize (believe it or not)
Tigre mariposo: Colombia
Chak mo'ol: Yucatan peninsula of Mexico
Zac-bolay: Modern Maya-speaking regions
The species is called
iawa, or
iawarate by several Amazonian native peoples, including the Achuar and Tupi. It may be that this is the root that gave rise to the name
jaguar.
Physical Description
The jaguar is the largest cat in the America, with a record weight of over 347 pounds (158kg). The largest jaguars have been found in the Brazilian Pantanal region, where in one study the average weight of males was 220 pounds (100kg). Head to body length, without the tail may be up to six feet (1.85m), and the tail can measure 30 inches (75cm) more. Height at the shoulder may be up to 20 inches (75cm).
The Jaguar's coat color ranges from pale yellow to reddish brown, with a much paler often white underbelly. It has spots on the neck, body and limbs that form rosettes, which contain black markings within them. On the head and underparts, the spots are simple black dots. Black jaguars are not uncommon, and even they possess darker rosette marking that are visible in bright light.
Compared to a leopard, the jaguar is stocky and more powerfully built. The square jaw and prominent cheeks, along with robust, muscular limbs give evidence of immense strength. It has been said that the jaguar is build for power, not speed. While true, this cat also demostrates surprising stealth and grace in movement.
Habitat/Distribution
First appearing in the fossil record around 2 million years ago, the jaguar has been an American species at least that long. Found throughout what is now the southern United States until about 10,000 years ago, it was eliminated from the US around 1900. In the late 1990s, several sightings in Arizona occurred, prompting renewed interest in the jaguar's northernmost habitat and distribution. The southern edge of its range is now in nothern Argentina, but once extended into Uruguay.
Range countries: Argentina, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, United States, Venezuela. Now extinct in El Salvador and Uruguay.
Habitat is variable for the species. It is found from lowland jungle to montane forest, at altitudes of up to 6,500 ft (2,000m) but is seen in wet grassland and arid scrub as well. A preference for water seems evident. The jaguar is an excellent swimmer, and has also been known to patrol ocean beaches preying on buried sea turtle eggs.
Major habitats include Grassland, Lowland tropical rainforest, Montane tropical rainforest, Succulent and thorn scrub, Temperate broadleaf forest, Tropical monsoon and dry forest, Tropical savannah woodland.
Behavior
Solitary except when raising cubs, the jaguar patrols its territory or home range searching for food. Traditionally thought of as being nocturnal, radio-collar tracking indiciates that jaguar are active around-the-clock but mostly tin the hours around sunrise and sunset.
An excellent climber, jaguars make good use of trees. They often drag kills to a secluded or sheltered spot for consumption but do not cover or bury them, as cougars do. It has been said that the jaguar is the only big cat that does not roar, but this is incorrect. The jaguar has an array of vocalizations including mews, grunts, and a deep, repetitive "coughing" roar.
Jaguar in culture
Jaguars elicit a wide range of responses from people. Through history they have been both deified and vilified. The image of the species has been commercialized more than once. It played an important and varied role in pre-Columbian American culture.
The Maya had the only written language in the Americas before European contact. Both verbal and visual puns played roles in their complex world-view. The name
Xbalanque, one of their Hero Twins whose exploits before the creation of humanity explain many natural phenomena, translate literally as "sun's hidden aspect." Within his name is a verbal pun on
balam, Classic Mayan for "jaguar." The Jaguar God of the Underworld, responsible for the sun's nightly passage beneath the earth, is literally the sun's hidden aspect.
In Quiche Maya lore, three of the first four humans were named
B'alam K'itze (Jaguar Cedar),
B'alam Aq'ab (Jaguar Night) and
Ik'ib'alam (Dark Jaguar).
As a symbol of royal power, a jaguar pelt was often worn by kings. Carved stone stelae depict the presentation of regalia, including helmets in the shape of a jaguar head.
Aztec culture also featured animals in art, architecture and relgion.
Tezcatlipoca, god of darkness and evildoers, was often disguised as a jaguar. His spotted skin represented the stars in the night sky. The two highest Aztec military orders took as their emblems the top predators of sky and earth: the Orders of the Eagle and Jaguar.
Shamans in many cultures claim the ability to change into animal form. Stealthy and powerful, the jaguar is an often-assumed guise.
