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The Jaguar (Panthera onca)

The scientific name comes from the Brazilian word 'onza' which means Jaguar. The word Jaguar comes from the Tupi-Guarani word 'yaguara', which means 'wild beast which overcomes prey at a bound'. They inhabit a large variety of areas from dense rain-forests to savannah grasslands anywhere from Mexico to North Argentina. They are largely solitary and territorial animals using urine, tree scratches and calls to mark their boundaries.

Their appearance is that of circular black markings on their fur which can vary in colour from a yellowy-brown to black.

Jaguar prey, which is stalked or ambushed includes the likes of capybara, peccaries, iguanas, deer and monkeys. as well as land based animals, the Jaguar has been known to attack aquatic animals such as caiman, fish and turtles. In the zoo, they are fed beef on the bone, chickens, rabbits and herrings.

Jaguars at Chester Zoo

Average weight of adult male: 90 - 120 kg

Average weight of adult female: 60 - 90 kg

Number of cubs: Usually two.

Pregnancy: 90 - 105 days

Life span: In captivity, they can live up to 20 years. In the wild, it is only half this due mainly to disease and the stress of continual hunting.

There are 5 Jaguars at Chester Zoo, Salvador is the oldest at 15 and Coro is the youngest at just 5 years old. Bonita and Coro are mother and son and live together because they can still tolerate each other, wheras most Jaguars live solitary lives, meeting only to mate. There are plans to breed Jaguars at the zoo in the future.

Amazing Animal Fact

The Jaguar is the largest animal in the western hemisphere and the third largest cat in the world!