Jaguar: a two-minute wildlife lesson

Big Cats · day 3 of 7

Five facts

1. A jaguar's bite is powerful enough to pierce the shells of turtles and tortoises.
2. Jaguars are good swimmers and hunt in the water. They have been recorded swimming distances of at least 1.3 km.
3. Jaguars ambush rather than chase. They walk slowly down forest paths, listening for prey, before rushing or ambushing.
4. An ambush may include leaping into water, and a jaguar is strong enough to haul a heifer-sized kill up a tree to avoid flood levels.
5. Jaguar cubs bleat, gurgle and meow, while adults growl during courtship and mating.

The quiz

1. What hard-shelled animals can a jaguar's bite pierce?

• Armadillos and crabs
• Snails and clams
• Turtles and tortoises (correct)
• Beetles and lobsters

A jaguar's bite can pierce the shells of turtles and tortoises.

2. Jaguars have been recorded swimming distances of at least how far?

• 1.3 km (correct)
• 13 km
• 130 m
• 3.1 km

Jaguars have been recorded swimming at least 1.3 km.

3. How does a jaguar hunt?

• By long chases
• In packs
• By digging traps
• By ambush instead of chasing (correct)

Jaguars ambush rather than chase.

4. Why might a jaguar haul a large kill up a tree?

• To hide it from vultures
• To avoid flood levels (correct)
• To keep it cool
• To dry it in the sun

A jaguar can haul a heifer-sized kill up a tree to avoid flood levels.

5. Which sound does a jaguar cub make?

• It chirps
• It hoots
• It meows (correct)
• It howls

Jaguar cubs bleat, gurgle and meow.

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