Jaguar

     Often mistaken for the leopard, the Jaguar's fur is tan in color with black rings and dots; some are completely black. They are the largest cat in the Americas. They typically live in forests, and often prefer lowland rainforests for their habitat. They sometimes live in dry woodland and grassland areas as well.
     Jaguars prey on deer, small mammals, fish, and other marine reptiles and amphibians. They are excellent swimmers and climbers.
     Today most jaguar populations live in the north and central part of South America, Arizona, California, Central America, Louisiana, Texas, New Mexico, and Mexico.
    Their populations have declined due to poaching for their spotted coat and habitat loss due to clearing of forests. Some jaguars prey on farm animals like horses and cattle and, in turn, are harmed by farmers protecting their livestock.

How to Help:
    In recent years, poaching and habitat loss have been monitored. Now there are many reserves specifically for jaguars. If you would like to lend a hand to help endangered jaguars, you can adopt a jaguar in the wild and ultimately save one, take action by sending a message to your congressman about the state of the jaguar, become a powerful advocate for wildlife, stay informed about important issues affecting them, or join the Defenders of Wildlife to help encourage jaguar safety and increase their population.

   The video, "Jaguars are Returning to Southern Arizona", explains why jaguars are important to the ecosystem and the food chain in the Americas. Wildlife activists explain their views on the current state of the Jaguars, the reasons they are endangered, and the measures that are being taken to help them. This video can help educate others on and how to help jaguars thrive.
     



Sources:
http://www.defenders.org/jaguar/basic-facts
http://bigcatrescue.org/jaguar-facts/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PzM1-oUi8RA