Jaguar Trivia ~ Did You Know?

This predatory cat, the namesake of a line of luxury cars, is a predator built for elegance, speed, and deadly precision. These magnificent animals have a distinctive, beautiful pattern to their coats, which easily distinguishes them from other big cats. Their incredible hunting ability is an amazing sight to behold.

I love seeing these animals at the zoo. A favorite to watch.

Did you know these facts about the Jaguar:

• Truly “Big” Cats – Jaguars are the largest cat in North and South America. They can grow up to six and a half feet long from nose to tail. Not only are they the largest American cat, but they are also the third largest cat in the world!
• American Cat – When picturing a jaguar, one typically visualizes a tropical rainforest filled with vegetation. While jaguars thrive in these types of habitats, their natural range used to spread all the way into the southern United States. Sightings occasionally happen in Arizona, and a jaguar was illegally poached in Arizona in June of 2018.
• Yaguar – The jaguar got its name from the Native Americans word yaguar, which means “he who kills with one leap.”
• Riveting and Rosy – Jaguars spots are extremely distinctive, as they have a rose-like pattern. In fact, jaguars spots are called “rosettes.”