JAGUAR
			Phylum: Class: Order: Family: Species: Chordata Mammalia Carnivora Felidae Panthera onca

The jaguar resembles a heavier built leopard. It is the largest of the American cats. The head and body reach up to 6 feet long (1.8 m), and the tail is about 3 feet (1 m). It can weigh up to 300 lbs. (136 kg). Much like the leopard, their golden yellow coat is patterned with black spots and grouped together in a flower or rosette kind of formation. These spots provide effective camouflage protection, but unlike the leopard, they have a large central spot. Black and albino jaguars also occur. Jaguars range from the southern United States to Patagonia.

The main home of the jaguar is dense tropical forest, especially near water, as jaguars are excellent, strong swimmers. They are also great climbers and often hunt their prey along branches.

Little is really know about their habits, however, it seems as though they hunt in territories, each defending its own against other jaguars. These cats feast on a variety of food, from capybaras and peccaries to big animals like domestic cows. Jaguars will also fight, kill and devour alligators. They also catch fish by lying in wait on a low branch or river bank, and will use their front paw to flip the fish from the water.

Jaguars will breed year round. Females produce 2 to 4 cubs every other year, but little is known of their care.

They have few natural enemies but sometimes peccary herds are said to corner and kill them. Jaguars are hunted where they prey on domestic animals, and unfortunately, are also killed for their beautiful skins.