Jaguars are the largest of South America's big cats

Jaguars are the largest of South America's big cats and the third largest cats in the world. At one time jaguars roamed all the way to the U.S.-Mexico border, but jaguars are now only occasionally sighted in Texas and Arizona. Most jaguars are found in the Amazon River basin.

Jaguars are secretive and are not known to kill humans. These beautiful and powerful beasts were important in ancient Native American cultures and were used as royal symbols. People believed they could protect them against evil. The name jaguar comes from the Native American word yaguar, which means "he who kills with one leap."

Unlike most cats, jaguars like water and are quite good swimmers.

Jaguars eat fish, turtles, and caimans—small, alligator-like animals—but also chow down on larger animals such as deer, cows, and tapirs. They sometimes climb trees to jump on unsuspecting prey, killing them with one powerful bite through the neck or head.

Their fur is usually tan or orange with black spots, called "rosettes" because they are shaped like roses. Some jaguars are so dark they don't seem to have spots, but in bright sunshine or on a closer look one can see their markings.

Jaguars live alone and mark their territory with their waste or by clawing trees.

Females have litters of one to four cubs, which are blind and helpless at birth. The mother stays with them and defends them from all animals—even their own father. Young jaguars learn to hunt by living with their mothers for two years or more.

Jaguars are still hunted for their beautiful fur. Ranchers also kill them because the cats sometimes prey upon their livestock. They are threatened in the wild. 

Fast Facts
Scientific name is Panthera onca.

Jaguars are mammals. They are carnivores and eat a diet rich in meat and fish. 

They can live to be 12 to 15 years old in the wild.

Adult jaguars weigh between 100 to 250 lbs (45 to 113 kilograms).

From the tip of his nose to the tip of his tail, a jaguar can be 8 feet (240 centimeters) long.