JAGUAR

     Jaguars are part of the cat family. Most of them have a yellow coat with black spotted rings. The pattern of the coat helps the jaguar blend in with the rainforest. The jaguar's strong legs help with climbing, crawling, and swimming. Their roar is very loud! Jaguars have strong jaw muscles, and can crush a turtle shell with their mouths! Jaguars range in size. On average, they weigh around 200 pounds.

     Jaguars live in the rainforests of South America. They are found in the understory, which is the second layer of the rainforest. In this area it is very wet and hot. It is not very bright because the sun does not shine through. There are many plants and shrubs. They do not get very tall.

     Jaguars like to be alone, especially while they hunt. They eat other  animals in the rainforest like tapirs and sloths. Jaguars are very powerful and strong! The jaguar is endangered because it is hunted for its fur.

Click on this link to see a jaguar:



 http://www.belizezoo.org/zoo/zoo/mammals/jag/jag3.html