Jaguar's Habitat: What do Jaguars Eat?

The jaguar is one amongst the four belonging to the big cat family and is a nearly threatened species. Perhaps it is the regal beauty of the jaguar that sees it's declining numbers. Or it could even be the loss of habitat. Their beautiful brown-yellow coat with shades of red and black and the numerous spots over the body are close to those seen on the body of a leopard. But jaguars have larger and few spots as compared to a leopard. They also have round shaped and shorter heads. So, have you ever wondered about the jaguar's habitat and what do these feline beauties eat? Here's a look at the habitat and food habits when found in the wild.

Jaguar's Habitat: What do Jaguars Eat?
Like tigers and other large cats, jaguars like to live close to a source of water. They are fairly good swimmers and are capable of hunting and killing small-sized crocodiles. Jaguars are found in swampy areas, sometimes even in deserts and grasslands. It is mainly found in the rain forests of Central and South America and in the Amazon rainforest. Jaguars are known to prefer thick and dense forests. It uses the dense forest cover to stalk its prey. It can also be seen on open terrain at times.

Jaguars are known for their preference for large preys and are particularly fond of meat. The food palate for jaguars is wide; it can range from tapirs, birds, sloths, turtles, rodents, reptiles, monkeys, frogs and deer. Jaguars are not primarily man-eaters and in case you do happen to bump into one, do not aggravate it or make it feel threatened! Jaguars are known to eat humans when they feel provoked. Jaguars also eat livestock. On the borders of U.S., jaguars primarily feed on deer.

Like most animals in the wild, jaguars also face risks due to the rapid destruction of their habitat. This is mainly due to deforestation. The hunt for its skin still continues and jaguars lose their life due to poaching. Isn't it time we wake up and do our bit towards their conservation? Or else a time may arrive, when jaguars only remain to be a pretty picture in storybooks with their already declining numbers.