Living Beings
    Commons candidate labeled Panthera onca; subject review pending. Framed for display
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    Panthera onca ,Yaguareté macho , 27.09.2023 , Bioparque de Fundacion Temaiken , Escobar , Buenos aires , Argentina.jpg · Resized and converted to WebP for display. Identification awaits editorial review. Naturaleza en.foco · CC BY-SA 4.0

    Field guide · species

    Jaguar

    Panthera onca

    AnimaliaMammaliaCarnivoraFelidae

    The jaguar is the largest living cat native to the Americas. Its stocky build, broad head and rosetted coat suit an ambush predator that often hunts around dense vegetation and water.

    Public research profile · final editorial review pending.

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    Tree of lifeScientific lineage
    1. LifeLife
    2. DomainEukaryota
    3. KingdomAnimalia
    4. PhylumChordata
    5. ClassMammalia
    6. OrderCarnivora
    7. FamilyFelidae
    8. GenusPanthera
    9. SpeciesPanthera onca
    Advanced classification

    Complete source lineage, including intermediate ranks. The standard view uses Life and the eight principal ranks.

    1. cellular organisms cellular root
    2. Eukaryota domain
    3. Opisthokonta clade
    4. Metazoa kingdom
    5. Eumetazoa clade
    6. Bilateria clade
    7. Deuterostomia clade
    8. Chordata phylum
    9. Craniata subphylum
    10. Vertebrata clade
    11. Gnathostomata clade
    12. Teleostomi clade
    13. Euteleostomi clade
    14. Sarcopterygii superclass
    15. Dipnotetrapodomorpha clade
    16. Tetrapoda clade
    17. Amniota clade
    18. Mammalia class
    19. Theria clade
    20. Eutheria clade
    21. Boreoeutheria clade
    22. Laurasiatheria superorder
    23. Carnivora order
    24. Feliformia suborder
    25. Felidae family
    26. Pantherinae subfamily
    27. Panthera genus
    28. Panthera onca species
    Open in taxonomy explorer ↗

    Physical traits

    A jaguar is powerfully built, with relatively short limbs. Many rosettes contain small central spots, a useful contrast with a leopard's usual coat pattern.

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    Habitat and range

    Moist forest, wooded wetlands and other landscapes with dense cover provide hunting and resting places.

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    Diet and nutrition

    Jaguars eat vertebrate prey including mammals and reptiles. Their broad jaws can be used to penetrate hard protective structures.

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    Behavior and activity

    Adults are mostly solitary. They stalk from cover, swim readily and mark areas with scent and vocal signals.

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    Reproduction and life cycle

    Cubs are born dependent on their mother. Maternal care includes protection and the gradual transition from milk to meat.

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    Geographic distribution

    Present populations are distributed through parts of the Americas. Much of the former northern range has been lost or fragmented.

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    Ecological role

    As large predators, jaguars connect terrestrial and wetland food webs. A diverse prey base supports their presence.

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    Distinctive adaptations

    Strong jaws, swimming ability and a concealed approach allow a varied hunting repertoire.

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    Conservation

    Habitat fragmentation and conflict following livestock losses are important pressures. Protecting connected habitat is relevant to long-term persistence.

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    Evidence

    Sources

    Connected life

    No reviewed ecological connections in the collection yet.

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