Jaguar
Panthera onca
(Linnaeus, 1758)
| Description |
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Near Threatened
The Jaguar is pale gold, rusty red, paling to white/light buff on cheeks, throat and underpart with black spots on the head, neck, and limbs. Melanistic forms are relatively common. Jaguars have shorter legs and tail than leopards. They have a white central ear spot. Characteristic rosettes have smaller spots inside, unlike the leopard. They are very stocky, have a deep chest and large head. The brain case is comparatively broader than the tiger. The facial part is shorter than the lion.
Savannah dwellers are lighter coloured than those inhabiting forest. Melanic forms are more frequent in forests. The smallest Jaguars are found in Central America and the largest in Mato Grosso and Argentine Chaco.
| Principal Dimensions |
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Overall |
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Females |
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