Endangered Jaguar

Jaguar, a member of the cat family, is native to Americas. They are found in the wild from South America to southern Arizona and New Mexico. They are found to live in the rainforests in Central and South America, the largest population being in the Amazon rainforests. Jaguars are even found in Africa and Asia.

Jaguars are strong-built, and have a compact body with a broad head and powerful jaws. Their coat is normally yellow and tan, but it can vary from reddish-brown to black. Solid and black spots on the coat mark the head and neck areas whereas the spots become larger rosette-shaped along the side and back of the body.

They can attain a height of about two-and-a-half feet, and their length varies from five-and-a- half feet to eight feet. They can weigh from 100 to 250 pounds. The life-span of a Jaguar is about 15 to 20 years. They eat almost all the wild animals, and their diet ranges from deer, peccary, crocodiles, snakes, tapirs, turtles, monkeys, sloth, frogs, fish, eggs, and anything else it can catch.

Jaguars are solitary animals, and they live and hunt alone. They mostly hunt on the ground, but sometimes they climb a tree to pounce on its prey from the above. Unlike most big cats, Jaguar is fond of water. It swims, bathes, and plays in the streams. It also catches fish in the water.

Jaguars live in wide-ranging habitats, which include rainforests, deciduous forests, grasslands, swamps, and mountain scrub areas. But, their favorite habitat is the tropical and subtropical forests. They prefer to live in wetland habitats, tropical rainforests, and the marshlands of Savanna. They are even found to live in forests and grasslands, near rivers and lakes, and under rock ledges.

Causes of endangerment of Jaguar

Jaguars are considered endangered animals worldwide. According to an estimate, 5,680 jaguars are left in the wild from South America to southern Arizona and New Mexico. They are categorized as endangered animals under the Endangered Species Act, enacted in 1973. Moreover, the red list of International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has categorized them as Near Threatened.

Rapid growth of human population has acquired much of their habitat, which has made them homeless. Even agricultural expansion has added to their difficulties. In addition to it, poaching and hunting by livestock ranchers has endangered their existence. They are widely hunted for sport and their spotted hide, which is in great demand and fetches a high price in the black market.

Conservation of endangered Jaguar

World Wildlife Federation (WWF), Defenders of Wildlife, and many other wildlife organizations are deeply concerned about the endangered Jaguar. They are a rare species of animal in the United States, and are included in the federal endangered species list. They have been provided special status by the government of the United States. All possible measures for the protection of the endangered Jaguar are being ensured to prevent them from becoming extinct.