Mammals
Jaguar
Panthera oncaConservation statusNear Threatened
DietMore than 85 kinds of prey, such as capybara, peccary (a wild pig) and caimans
Lifespan12-15 years
Size and weightAbout 55-100 kg
The largest wild cat in the Americas. It is strong, with dark rosettes (ring-shaped spots) on yellow fur.
Tracks in the mud
What makes it specialFor its size, it has the strongest bite of all the cats. It kills with a bite straight through the skull.
Surprising factA very good swimmer. It hunts caimans and river turtles in the water.
PopulationA careful estimate is about 64,000. A 2025 study estimates about 173,000 in the Amazon.
The usual sign: paw prints in the mud of the riverbank