Jaguar (Panthera onca)
Taxonomy:
View taxonomy in ITISListing Status: Endangered
Where Listed: WHEREVER FOUND
General Information
A large, heavy-bodied, big-headed cat. Yellowish to tawny, spotted with black rosettes or rings in horizontal rows along the back and sides; most rings are tan inside, with 1 or 2 black spots. Legs, head, and tail have smaller, solid spots, usually giving way to incomplete bands near the end of the tail.The species historical range included Arizona, California, Louisiana, New Mexico, Texas. See below for information about where the species is known or believed to occur.
» Range Information
Current Range
Current range maps are only shown within the jurisdictional boundaries of the United States of America. The species may also occur outside this region.
Wherever found
Listing status: Endangered
- States/US Territories in which this population is known to or is believed to occur: Arizona, New Mexico
- US Counties in which this population is known to or is believed to occur: View All
- USFWS Refuges in which this population is known to occur:
- Countries in which this population is known to occur: Mexico, United States
» Candidate Information
No Candidate information available for this species.
No Candidate Assessments available for this species.
No Uplisting Documents currently available for this species.
» Federal Register Documents
» Species Status Assessments (SSAs)
No Species Status Assessments (SSA's) are currently available for this species.
No Special Rule Publications currently available for this species.
» Conservation Plans
No Conservation Plans currently available for this species.
» Petitions
» Biological Opinions
To see all FWS Issued Biological Opinions please visit the BO Report.
» Life History
Habitat Requirements
Found near water in warm, tropical savannas and forests within core of their range. In the northern portion of the range, found in thornscrub, desertscrub, and grasslands. Vegetation communities used in Arizona range from Sonoran desertscrub at lower elevations to sub-alpine mixed conifer in the mountain ranges.
Food Habits
Generalist predator, taking mammals, birds, fish, larger reptiles (turtles and caimans)
Movement / Home Range
Jaguars have relatively large home ranges, the actual size depending on topography, habitat composition, prey base, and population dynamics. Contiguous habitats, or river corridors provide for movement corridors, particularly for dispersing males.
Reproductive Strategy
Within the core of their range, breeding may take place year round. At northern end, likely a spring breeding season exists. Gestation lasts 100 days, and 1-4 (usually 2) cubs are born and stay with their mother for nearly 2 years. Females achieve maturity at age 3, males at age 4. No breeding population is currently known in southern Arizona or New Mexico. The only documented jaguars in recent years have been males.
Other
Jaguars in the United States are likely dispersing males from breeding populations in northern Mexico. Movement corridors are important to maintain; however, human developments may block access to corridors or fragment contiguous habitats needed to sustain a home range. Fences and highways may be particularly damaging for movement corridors.
» Other Resources
NatureServe Explorer Species Reports-- NatureServe Explorer is a source for authoritative conservation information on more than 50,000 plants, animals and ecological communtities of the U.S and Canada. NatureServe Explorer provides in-depth information on rare and endangered species, but includes common plants and animals too. NatureServe Explorer is a product of NatureServe in collaboration with the Natural Heritage Network.
ITIS Reports-- ITIS (the Integrated Taxonomic Information System) is a source for authoritative taxonomic information on plants, animals, fungi, and microbes of North America and the world.
FWS Digital Media Library -- The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's National Digital Library is a searchable collection of selected images, historical artifacts, audio clips, publications, and video." +
