A jaguar is a large, powerful wild cat with a golden coat covered in black spots arranged in rose-shaped patterns called rosettes. Jaguars live in the forests and wetlands of Central and South America, where they hunt deer, wild pigs, fish, and even caimans (relatives of alligators). They're the third-largest cat species in the world, after tigers and lions.

What makes jaguars special among big cats is their incredibly strong bite. While lions and tigers usually kill prey by biting the neck, a jaguar can bite straight through a turtle's shell or an animal's skull. They're also excellent swimmers and often hunt in rivers, unlike most other big cats.

The jaguar was sacred to many ancient American civilizations. The Maya and Aztec peoples admired the jaguar's strength and stealth, featuring it prominently in their art and mythology. Today, jaguars are endangered because humans have destroyed much of their forest habitat. Scientists and conservationists work to protect the remaining jaguar populations and the wild places they call home.