Jaguar (Panthera onca) Fact Sheet: Summary

Describer (Date): Linnaeus 1758

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Mammalia

Order: Carnivora

Family: Felidae

Subfamily: Pantherinae

Genus: Panthera

Species: Panthera onca*

*Status of subspecies is unclear.

Body Weight: 57-113 kg (126-249 lb)

Body Length: 112-185 cm (44-73 in)

Tail Length: 45-75 cm (18-30 in)

Pelage: Spotted pattern in rosettes, with smaller spots inside.

Range: Mexico through Central America, South America; a few individuals live in U.S. southwest.

Habitat: Dense lowland and montane tropical forests; often near water, though highly adaptable to drier habitats.

IUCN Status: Near Threatened (2016 assessment)

CITES Appendix: Appendix I

Population in Wild: About 173,000 individuals. Most numerous in Brazil and Peru.

Locomotion: 50 cm (19.7 in) strides; run top sped (100 km/hr or 62 mph) short distance.

Activity Cycle: Primarily hunt at night; varies locally.

Social Groups: Solitary except when mating or female caring for young.

Diet: Some 85 species; including capybara, marsh deer, giant anteater, red brocket deer; turtles, fish, birds, and alligator.

Predators: Humans

Sexual Maturity: Males: 3- 4 years; females: 2-3 years

Gestation: c.100 days

Litter Size: 2 cubs most common; up to 4

Birth weight: c. 800 g (1.8 lb)

Age at Weaning: 5 to 6 months

Typical Life Expectancy:
Wild populations: mean life span of about 13–14 years
Managed care: median life expectancy of about 18 years

Feature Facts 

• Largest and most robust cat of Americas; circumference of massive head usually greater than height at shoulder.
• Eight traditional subspecies categorized according to skull characteristics but no modern genetic justification
• Current range is 63% of historic range in Southwestern US, Mexico, Central and South America
• Prefer dense lowland with strong tie to regions with water
• Declining population trend due to deforestation, loss of prey and hunting
• Conservation areas were established in Central America and US and hunting is restricted or banned in many countries
• At SD Zoo, Nindiri gave birth to a male cub, Valerio, in March of 2015.

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