Jaguars are the largest and most powerful of the American members of the cat family. They are mostly found in the forests of Central America and Brazil.They can grow to be 6 feet long and weigh up to 300 pounds. Their coats can be yellow, rusty-red, or black and they often have spots. Their heads and bodies are large but their legs are short and thick. They are very fast so they can catch their prey, and can run up to 70 m.p.h. They hunt both day and night and eat animals that range in size from small fish to peccaries.
     The male and female jaguars only stay together during the mating season.After 95 to 110 days, they female has two to four cubs. They hunt with their mother the first two years and are fully grown at the age of four.
     Some people are afraid of jaguars but they hardly ever attack people. The South American jaguar was even considered a god to the Mayans!
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