Species:  Though it has been debated, three subspecies of Jaguar are recognized, which included subspecies that live int he Amazon, coastal Peru, Mexico, and Colombia.

Lifespan: Jaguars live to be 12 to 15 years old in the wild, but can live to be about 20 years old when kept in captivity.

Size: Jaguars grow to be between 4 to 6 ft long, not including their tails which can be as long as 30 inches. A male Jaguars average weight is 120 lbs, and females average about 70 lbs. However, there have been reports of Jaguars weighing about 300 lbs!

Habitat: Jaguars are mostly found in South and Central America (though some are in Mexico and even the state of Arizona in the U.S.). Unlike many other species of cat, Jaguars enjoy the water and swimming. They prefer to make their home near water and often inhabit flooded forests along with rain forest, and woodlands.

Family Life: Jaguars don't have a mating season, but rather mate any time of the year. Once a female is pregnant she goes off on her own to make a den for her cubs. On average, a Jaguar will give birth to 2-4 cubs. Their gestation period is about 3.5  months. Once born, the cubs are blind and helpless. The mother takes care of them until them are old enough to assist her on hunts (about 2 years old). Once the cubs can take care of themselves they leave their mother and go off to establish their own territory.

Diet: Jaguars have good eye sight and a strong capability for seeing things in 3D that allows them to hunt their prey with accuracy. They see better in the dark and usually hunt during the night. They are carnivorous and eat deer, turtles, fish, squirrels, tapirs, along with many other animals.

*fun Facts*

• Jaguars are the largest cats in the western hemisphere
• Jaguars are often confused with Leopards.
• Jaguars are endangered.