The Jaguar- Elizabeth neill

Panthera onca

The Jaguar

Elizabeth Neill

BIO 227


Description and Ecology of Organism

The Panthera onca is commonly called the jaguar. Historically, this cat has roamed across the southwestern U.S. (including Louisiana) and Mexico, extending  down to northern Argentina. The Jaguar can live up to 12 years in the wild. They are commonly found in dense, forested habitats. These lean, muscular mammals range from 150 to 180 cm in length and can be up to 75 cm tall (up to the shoulder). Their coat colors range from pale yellow to dark reddish brown, with the small black spots (as seen above). There are also many black jaguars, which have barely visible black spots. These animals are solitary, being most active at dusk and dawn. However during mating season, males travel with the females.The cats communicate through grunting vocalizations. Resting near sources of water is preferred by the animals. They are also found resting in tree branches, sometimes due to flooding. Jaguars are considered keystone species due to their strong impact on all other species in this ecosystem. They are strictly carnivores and have been recorded to include over 85 species in their diet. Unfortunately, these wild cats are threatened in the wild due to habitat destruction and hunting. 



Geographic and Population Changes

As mentioned above, the panthera onca's geographic range used to spread throughout Mexico, Arizona, all the way down Latin America until northern Argentina. However, modern day, the large cat is mainly concentrated in the Amazon basin, including Venezuela. Most of it's populations in the United States and Mexico have been either eradicated or heavily reduced. They currently take up about 46% of their historic range. Being hunted by people has highly impacted the global jaguar population. These mammals are not found at high elevations, their limit is around 9,000-10,000 feet. Jaguars are great swimmers and are usually found near water, such as rivers and lagoons.



Listing Date and Type of Listing 
On March 28, 1972, the Panthera onca was listed as endangered wherever it is found under the Endangered Species Act. 






Cause of Listing and Main Threats to its Continued Existence


Threats to the Jaguar include habitat loss, human intolerance, and poaching. Industries, neighborhoods, farms, and more, are being built more and more, especially now in areas that are specific to Jaguar populations. The large cat can no longer migrate due to urbanization. The jaguar will occasionally happen upon a farm, and prey on the farm animals. The farmers obviously do not like this, and unfortunately do not like the mammal because of it. Increased shootings are occurring due to this bad relationship between farmer and jaguar. Lastly, the silky coated creatures are often poached for their fur. The peculiar rosette-spotted coat makes it very popular. 




Description of Recovery Plan
The ultimate goal of the panthera onca's recovery plan is to secure it's habitat and population for the future. Therefore, it will never become endangered again. Hopefully, the human impacts to the jaguar's global populations can somehow be remediated or allayed. The poaching of jaguars must be stopped completely- for both illegal and legal killings. It is  important to do captive breeding, where-in the genetic fitness and overall health of the jaguar can be improved.




What Can You Do?
There is an estimated number of 64,000 jaguars left in the wild. In order to preserve the dwindling number of this species, there are certain aspects of your life you could change or add to. Avoid any products that come from the jaguar. This large cat is hunted and used for its paws, teeth, fur, and bone. You can donate to different wildlife conservation groups who specifically work to preserve habitats belonging to panthera onca. Also, President Trump's border wall directly impacts the jaguars ability to migrate and travel from  Latin America into the southwestern U.S. and vice versa. By signing petitions and pledging against this border wall, you can aid the jaguars in repopulating Earth. The general public is able to participate in a symbolic adoption of a jaguar in order to protect real wild jaguars. There are other sources and donation websites on the following link: https://defenders.org/jaguar/how-you-can-help





Sources

“Jaguar.” Center for Biological Diversity, Biological Diversity, 2009.

“Jaguar (Panthera Onca).” Environmental Conservation Online System, ECOS.

Klineburger, Bert. “The Hunting Eras Part 2.” SCI: First for Hunters, Safari Club International, 2016.

Nogueira, Jonathan. “Panthera Onca: Jaguar.” Animal Diversity Web, ADW, 2009.

Comments

  1. DrWildlifeMarch 10, 2018 at 9:48 AM

    I knew jaguars are carnivores, but I never knew they ate 85 species. Also, a jaguar is pretty well-known type of animal, so it’s really sad that such a well-known animal is endangered over something as trivial as its fur. One thing I really liked that you brought up was in your “what can you do” section was about Trump’s wall. Avoiding jaguar products seem like a far away concept for most Cal Poly students since most probably do not buy those products to begin with. However, bringing up politics and petitions are good suggestions for Cal Poly students to do because it is something we can participate in.

    Victoria Plumb

    ReplyDelete
  2. DrWildlifeMarch 11, 2018 at 1:13 AM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  3. DrWildlifeMarch 12, 2018 at 2:24 PM

    Your organization and information was complete but not excessive which kept me reading and interested. I never knew the range of the Jaguar was so massive, nor did I know they came into the United States or Mexico. I really liked your balance of photos and text, and your sections and subject breaks were clear. Your citations were also effective.
    -William Motluk Bewley

    ReplyDelete
  4. DrWildlifeMarch 12, 2018 at 5:37 PM

    I also did my blog on the panther so I thought it was interesting reading yours and still learning new information. I liked that you included something about how these cats communicate. I also liked the part about avoiding supporting Trump's wall, which will directly affect the species. The post was very organized and easy to follow.

    ReplyDelete
  5. DrWildlifeMarch 13, 2018 at 10:05 AM

    Really cool blog post! I found it fascinating that jaguars eat 85 different species!! Probably won't run out of food then. I also found it interesting that Trump's wall would also affect species that migrate to and from Mexico into the United States. I never thought of that as a problem to it.

    Thanks for the post
    Gabi Morgan

    ReplyDelete
  6. DrWildlifeMarch 14, 2018 at 1:05 AM

    Sad to read that this incredible species is having their population decreased due to their beauty. Their fur color is truly remarkable. It’s sad to read as well that due to urbanization we stopped the migration of this species. Also sad that the jaguars have been extirpated from Mexico, as I know it’s a big part in my culture. I really hope the poaching of these creatures stop so future generations could experience the beauty of these animals.

    -Alejandrina Perez

    ReplyDelete
  7. DrWildlifeMarch 16, 2018 at 12:23 PM

    I always thought that jaguars were naturally predominately found in South America, not because they have been so over exploited. It's so sad that a beautiful creature like this could go extinct because we like their pelt or that their habitat is becoming urbanized. Interesting to think that President Trumps "wall" could not only effect human lives, but those jaguars and I'm sure numerous other species.
    -Jordi Oliver

    ReplyDelete

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