This article is a stub. You can help Cats Wiki by expanding it. |
---|
Jaguar | ||
---|---|---|
Panthera onca (Linnaeus, 1758) | ||
Information | ||
Range |
South America | |
Scientific Classification | ||
Kingdom |
Animalia | |
Phylum |
Chordata | |
Class |
Mammalia | |
Order |
Carnivora | |
Family |
Felidae | |
Genus |
Panthera | |
Species |
P. onca | |
Conservation Status (IUCN 3.1) | ||
Near Threatened |
Jaguars live in swamplands and by forest streams in Central and South America, and are strong swimmers. Their short fur is patterned with dark rosettes. Some animals are entirely black. They are at risk due to the destruction of their habitat.
Jaguars swim well and often hunt in water, catching turtles, caimans and fish. When the river level is low, these cats may even swim out to exposed sand banks and dig up turtles’ nests for the eggs.
Although the trade in jaguar skin is illegal, pelts of the hide can still be found which only proves the hunting still continues.