Jaguar on the lookout from a river dune, Pantanal, Brazil by Rini Kools

About "Jaguar on the lookout from a river dune, Pantanal, Brazil"

by Rini Kools

About the artwork

The jaguar (Panthera onca) is a predator in the feline family and is found in Central America and much of South America.
The jaguar is the largest and strongest cat in the Americas. It is a sturdily built and powerful animal with a broad head and strong jaws. Its legs are relatively short, but very strong. The tail provides balance when jumping. The fur is light yellow to reddish brown with black rosettes, round or oval spots containing one or two dark dots. The round pupils allow the jaguar to see perfectly well during dusk. The soft pads of its feet allow it to stalk its prey unnoticed, and the jaguar also has retractable claws and long and strong canines.
Almost any animal found in the jaguar's habitat constitutes potential prey. Jaguars are carnivores and generally feed on the prey animals most commonly found in a given area. However, ground-dwelling mammals such as peccaries and deer are preferred, but tapirs, monkeys, opossums, armadillos, sloths, anteaters, a variety of rodents such as agoutis, porcupines, rats and capybaras, ground-nesting birds, frogs, caimans, turtles, fish, eggs and even giant snakes are also part of the menu. The jaguar is the only big cat that regularly kills reptiles to live off them.
Jaguars almost always keep themselves near water. They are therefore excellent swimmers, unlike many other cats that actually hate water.