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Jaguar Research Paper

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“big” cats. The jaguar is closely related to the Leopard and have a number of similar characteristics especiallThe Jaguar is scientifically known as the Pantera onca. It is considered to be one of the world’s y the distinctive spotted fur. It is often confused with the leopard because of the similar brownish/yellow base fur colour which is distinctively marked with dark rosette markings. However, the jaguar can be distinguished by the presence of small dots or irregular shapes within the larger rosette markings, a more stocky and muscular body and a shorter tail. The jaguar is known for its power and swiftness. Its name comes from the word yagar which means “he who kills with one leap”. Despite its agility it has been hunted for many years …show more content…

It is the largest feline on the American Continent. It has a broad head with very strong jaws and has been thought to have the most powerful bite of all the world’s cats. It has very sharp teeth and claws. They can weigh from 79-350 pounds. The jaguar is known for speeds up to 50 miles per hour. Their fast movement is important for them to catch their food. Jaguars are carnivores. They have a lifecycle of 12 to 15 years but in captivity it can be as long as 22 years. They bear live young after a 90 to 105 day gestation period but can only have cubs every other year. The habit of the jaguar is usually solitary, only getting together to mate during breeding season. The average litter size is 3. Their young are called cubs. The cubs of the jaguar are born with no father because he leaves after he mates with the mother. The cubs are born blind and can weigh from 25-32 ounces. By two weeks of age their eyes are open. The cubs are weaned from their mother by 3 months of age and by 6 months they have learned to do things the way their mother does and begins to hunt with their mother. By the time they are a year old they can hunt on their own but stay with the mother until about 3 years old before going to their own territory. They reach sexual maturity by 3 years of

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