Jaguar

Characteristics

The largest cat of the Americas. Though it looks similar to leopards of Asia and Africa, its behavior and ecological requirements make it the New World equivalent of the tiger. Coat usually yellowish-brown, but varying from almost white to black, with a pale chest. Spots on back are dark rosettes, irregularly placed black spots on belly, lower part of tail ringed with black.

Species Specifics

Physical Characteristics

Though they hunt on the ground, they have the strength and ability to climb if needed. They have more robust canine teeth and have a more powerful bite than those of the other big cats. Unlike other big cats that typically kill large prey with a throat or neck bite, jaguars bite through their prey's skull between the ears or horns.

Ecology

Habitat

Tropical forest, swamps, and open country including desert and savannah

Distribution

Home Range: Territories can vary from 10-60 mi2, depending on prey abundance and diversity. However, larger home ranges for both males and females (up to 94 mi2) have been reported. Movements of 500 miles have been recorded, but if food is abundant they may become sedentary and range over only a few square miles. Males have larger ranges than females.

Diet

Carnivorous; generalists but as peccary and deer

Ecological Web

As the largest cat in the Americas, the jaguar is the dominant predator. They normally stalk their prey on the ground and are excellent swimmers. Considered opportunistic feeders and are capable of killing and consuming almost any type of prey they encounter. Jaguars often do not consume large prey in their entirety and do not cache, leaving allowing for scavengers and decomposers to function better.

Activity and Behavior

Activity Pattern

Radio telemetry studies have shown that there is a variety in activity patterns. For example, in Peru and Brazil, the cats were active both day and night while in Mexico, Belize, and Venezuela, they were mostly nocturnal. Whether jaguars hunt during the day probably depends both on the activity patterns of their prey and human disturbance.

Behavior

Throughout much of its range, the jaguar is associated with waterways. They are excellent swimmers and sometimes spend the heat of the day half-submerged in a stream to cool off. Like other big cats, they usually drag large kills to dense cover before they eat, sometimes dragging kills a mile or more over rough terrain.

Social Behavior

Radio telemetry studies have shown that there is a variety in activity patterns. For example, in Peru and Brazil, the cats were active both day and night while in Mexico, Belize, and Venezuela, they were mostly nocturnal. Whether jaguars hunt during the day probably depends both on the activity patterns of their prey and human disturbance.

Reproductive Behavior

Roaring may function to bring jaguars together for mating, and females have been known to travel widely calling for a mate during estrus. Females can stay in estrus for 6-17 days. Copulation can occur a hundred times a day and is rapid. More births occur in summer months in temperate regions, but it is possible in tropical regions that births are year round.

Offspring

Up to 4, each weighing 25-32oz, although most will raise only two cubs to independence. Blind at birth, open their eyes after about 2 weeks, and remain with mother for up to 2 years.

Conservation

Status

Near threatened by IUCN, CITES Appendix I. US Endangered Species List, State law in AZ & NM Population Trend: decreasing. The jaguar is considered to be extinct in Chile, El Salvador, and Uruguay and approaching extinction in Argentina, Costa Rica, and Panama. Taxonomic research has shown little significant differences among jaguar populations, prompting a vast effort to create a continuous north to south habitat corridor. The Last Jaguar in the United States: On February 18, 2009 during a black bear and mountain lion research study, Arizona Game and Fish inadvertently trapped a jaguar, who the fit with a satellite tracking collar. The cat was of 3 identified as Macho B, a male jaguar that had been photographed periodically over the previous 13 years. He was believed to be the oldest wild jaguar known at an estimated 15-16 years. While monitoring him, the data showed a reduced pattern of movement and foraging so they went to access his condition. Biologists and a wildlife veterinarian determined they needed to recapture him so his condition could be better evaluated at The Phoenix Zoo. Through blood tests and a physical exam, they determined Macho B had severe kidney failure and was suffering so all related parties decided the most humane decision was to euthanize him.

Historical

In North America their historical range is believed to have extended from Oregon to Pennsylvania though they had disappeared from the Northeast before Columbus arrived. Later, jaguars ranged from the south-western United States, south through the Amazon basin to the Rio Negro in Argentina. They have lost 54% of its historical range. The last California jaguar was killed at Palm Springs in 1860.

Current Threats

Our Role

Support of ARCAS: Oakland Zoo supports ARCAS in Guatemala which cares for wildlife caught in the illegal pet trade or other illegal activities. They care for jaguars in need, and try to work with local people to change behaviours. Jaguar Enclosure: Oakland Zoo sponsored a large, updated enclosure for the jaguars that cannot be released at ARCAS in Guatemala. Eco-Trips: Oakland Zoo offers eco-trips to the ARCAS facility. These trips offer hands-on work and financial support of jaguars and other species Jaguar Corridors in Panama: Sponsorship of Jaguar corridor work including research of jaguars and mitigation of human/wildlife conflict in Panama through new partners, Kaminando.

About Our Jaguars

Lucha

Lucha, a male jaguar, came to Oakland Zoo from the Los Angeles Zoo in 2018 and lives in a habitat complete with climbing trees, platforms, hammocks, and a pool in our 56-acrea California Trail expansion, which opened in 2018.

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Emma

With jaguar populations being critically endangered both in the wild and in captivity, we had been searching to find Lucha a companion since his arrival. In November 2022, we welcomed Emma, a female jaguar from Miami Zoo to join him. Lucha and Emma now spend lots of time together on habitat and engage in lots of positive interaction.

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While we're hoping there is a “love connection” between Emma and Lucha, and cubs to expand their family, for now, we are happy that Lucha and Emma are doing great as companions together.

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