There are eight subspecies of jaguar. Jaguars are considered the equivalent of leopards in the New World, and are the largest species of cats in the Western Hemisphere. They are distributed throughout most of Mexico, Central and South America, while lone individuals are rarely seen in the southwestern United States. Habitat Mostly deciduous and tropical rain forest, but jaguars can range from montane areas to the wet savanna. Jaguars are often found near fresh water where they hunt fish.
Jaguars can survive on anything from herd animals to insects.
Gestation lasts about 93-110 days. Female jaguars usually give birth to one to four cubs, averaging two young per litter. She gives birth in a den surrounded by a dense thorn thicket, or under tree roots. After about two weeks, a cub's eyes open. Soon thereafter, jaguar young may leave the den, only to explore and play not far from their mother.