Big Cat - Jaguar

The Jaguar, genus Panthera onca, is the largest, most powerful and only spotted feline to be found in the Americas. Except for an area southeast of Tucson, Arizona, it has migrated south to Central and South America. In Mexico, it is known as el tigre.
It is the same size as a leopard measuring 7 feet including the relatively short tail and can weigh over 200 pounds. It is clumsy looking with a large head, heavy body and big stomach but well muscled. Due to its body shape, it is adept at climbing, crawling and swimming. Having a powerful jaw, it can drag a 800 pound bull and pulverize the largest bones. It walks with a rolling gait and has the ability to roar.
The fur is yellowish to reddish-brown with deep black rosettes. There are additional spots within the rosette. Towards the tip of the tail, the markings are circular. The underbelly, throat, outer surface of the legs and and lower flanks are white. In rare cases, it can be all black but its spots are still visible. If all black, it can be known as a black panther but it is not a separate species.
While preferring to live in a rain forest, it can be found in forested and open terrain. It feeds on turtles, alligators, deer, tapirs, large rodents and fish. Using an ambush tactic, it is a solitary hunter which stalks its prey and makes a short leaping attack for the kill. After biting into the skull of its prey fatally damaging the brain, it will drag its kill to a secluded area to feed on. The hunting usually occurs around dusk or dawn. It rarely attacks humans.
There are eight variations of the animal depending on the location.
Peruvian - coastal Peru.
Mexican - western Mexico.
Central American - El Salvador to Columbia.
Arizonian - southern Arizona to Sonora, Mexico.
Texan - central Texas to southeastern Mexico.
Goldman - Yucatan Peninsula to Belize and Guatemala.
Venezuelan - Venezuela through the Amazon.
Pantanal - Mato Grosso and Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil, Paraguay River into Paraguay and northeastern Argentina.
Due to geographical barriers, there is not much cross breeding among the different types.
Known to mate year round, cub population will increase when food is plentiful. The female provides all the parenting fearing adult male cannibalism. The cubs are born blind but gain sight within two weeks. They will live with the mother for up to two years. The lifespan in the wild is 12 to 15 years but it can live close to 23 years in captivity.
The world population has been declining due to loss of habitat, hurricanes and food availability. It has increased it consumption of cattle as a food source but is more susceptible to being shot by ranchers. It is considered an endangered species in the United Stares and is prohibited from being hunted in most countries in the Americas.
It has long been a symbol of power in South America. In Brazil, it is a national symbol where the people believe its fat is magical and gives them courage. It is also the national animal of Guyana and is featured on the Guyana's coat of arms. The name has been used by sports teams and represents a luxury automobile brand.