Home Feature BACKYARD BIRDING IN MERIDA, YUCATAN AND BEYOND – MY JAGUAR JOURNEY, PART 1 OF 3

BACKYARD BIRDING IN MERIDA, YUCATAN AND BEYOND – MY JAGUAR JOURNEY, PART 1 OF 3

by Yucatan Times
13 comments

Jaguar, Panthera onca, El Jaguar (Spanish), Balam (Mayan), Onça (Brazilian Portuguese)

Jaguar Portrait

Living in the Yucatan jaguars seemed ever present whether visiting Maya ruins or the protected preserves of Pronatura Peninsula de Yucatan’s private El Zapotal Reserve, the private Kaxil Kiuic Biocultural Reserve and Calakmul Biosphere Reserve , and in architecture, literature, art and sculpture. To the Maya, the jaguar led the transition between the living world and underworld, a symbol of power, energy, fertility, a great hunter, and warrior. Friends even discussed their excitement of a jaguar crossing a road in Calakmul. I never saw one but was pleased protected areas exist.

 

However, did any of us ever “paw-nder” the daily life of a jaguar, this powerful, solitary, nocturnal creature of shadows and stealth?

Jaguar paw-ndering

 

Jaguar in shadow

 

Last month my opportunity to photograph and observe SEVERAL jaguars in the wild occurred, not in the Yucatan, but in the world’s largest freshwater wetland, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Pantanal in Brazil. By the way, for decades most photos of jaguars were captive animals, but surely the Pantanal is now one of the prime wildlife photography sites in the world.

 

Join me on my astonishing Jaguar Journey!

 

Large male Jaguar

 

Powerful legs and large paws of a jaguar

 

Pantanal Jaguars are the largest cats in the Americas and are 100% larger than those in the Yucatan with one male recorded weight of about 345 pounds (156 kg). The Pantanal also contains the densest population of jaguars with no poaching in the immediate area. One of several monitoring projects, SouthWild, began in 2004 and to date a total of 80+ different jaguars have been identified within a 75 mile circle (120K) of Rio Piquiri (Piquiri River).

 

Jaguar female

 

Coat coloration varied on each animal from the head to the body and then how much light hit those magnificent coats with asymmetrical rosettes. Black rosettes form circles with smaller black dots inside them on the main body. (By the way, leopards have black rosettes too but the center of each rosette lacks dots.) Conservation biologists use that black dot forehead pattern to differentiate each jaguar along with the left or right side of the body. Those field marks are as individual as our human fingerprints.

 

LIght coloration of jaguar

 

Coat color varies in jaguars

 

I observed territorial scent marking, lots of swimming, searching for prey, stalking, resting, sleeping, drinking water while in the river, a caiman kill, and foreplay before mating.

 

Male jaguars mark their territory with urine, scrape marks, and feces

 

Who is watched, jaguar or photographer

 

Jaguars don’t hesitate to swim after prey or to cross rivers

 

Female jaguar wafting her tail and scent in front of male

 

Jaguar stalking prey

 

Jaguars often hide in vegetation_shade and can rest during day

 

I observed frequent yawns of several jaguars

 

Let sleeping jaguars lie

 

 

One female jaguar walked along the river bank lowering her head to sniff along the way. When she sniffed at one area, she immediately turned around to go another direction. I even saw what appeared to be scent marking on bushes above the water while the jaguar stood in the river.

 

Female jaguar jumped down to river’s edge

 

After female jumped down, she appeared to sniff this vine

 

Then she made a hasty retreat

 

By now you are probably surprised at the diversity of images. All photography occurred from a small boat as the jaguars here have become habituated to boat traffic on several rivers. Also their main wild prey appears to be capybara (largest rodent in world from 60-174 pounds (27-79 kg), followed by the yacare caiman(alligator cousin). Both these species live in or along these rivers. However, research indicates jaguars have preyed on more than 85 species of animals including deer, fish, anteaters, tapirs, and cattle. In the Pantanal, scientists speculate the abundant food sources may override territorial size.

 

Yacare caiman, alligator cousin

 

Jaguar killed caiman in water rather than on land

 

“Capybara, largest rodent in world”

 

How amazing to have safe access to a supposedly nocturnal, solitary wild feline without disturbing its behavior!  What a spectacular gift of time and observation I’d been granted.

 

Jaguar disappears away from river

 

GO OUTDOORS TO RECEIVE NATURE’S GIFTS AND COME BACK NEXT MONTH FOR PART TWO!

 

DISCLAIMER: References do not agree on details about these species.

http://www.procarnivoros.org.br/pdfs/Azevedo_Murray_Spatial_organization_and_food_habits_%20jaguars.pdf

 

Cherie Pittillo, “nature inspired,” photographer and author, explores nature everywhere she goes. She’s identified 56 bird species in her Merida, Yucatan backyard view. Her monthly column features anecdotes about birding in Merida, Yucatan and also wildlife beyond the Yucatan. Contact: [email protected]  All rights reserved, ©Cherie Pittillo

You may also like

13 comments

Cora Ramos September 5, 2017 - 11:54 am

I really enjoyed your photos. Great shots!

Reply
Your Name...Cherie pittillo September 5, 2017 - 12:34 pm

Thank you, Cora. It was an amazing trip!

Reply
Ivan Gabaldon September 6, 2017 - 10:21 am

Congratulations Cherie! What an experience! I’m so happy for you. ?

Reply
Cherie Pittillo September 6, 2017 - 12:04 pm

Thanks, Ivan! Of course you had great experiences with Steve Winter and his jaguar endeavor in the Yucatan!

Reply
bruce krucke September 6, 2017 - 11:30 pm

I’m speechless!! And you know if I’m speechless, they must be superb–beyond words exciting!

Reply
Cherie Pittillo September 7, 2017 - 8:38 pm

A life highlight, Bruce. Glad u appreciated my efforts.

Reply
J. Dan Pittillo September 7, 2017 - 6:27 am

Cherie, obviously this is a significant population of this top predator. That speaks to the high diversity of prey animals here in this tropical ecosystem. There are few such wild ecosystems world wide and you did have a great opportunity to be able see this one.

Reply
Cherie Pittillo September 7, 2017 - 6:02 pm

Dan, your comment and my response disappeared. But thank you for your insight, and I’m grateful for that incredible opportunity to visit the Pantanal and to experience jaguars and other wildlife in a trip of a lifetime for me.

Reply
Fred Pittillo September 7, 2017 - 6:43 pm

Cherie what great pictures and what good information
About Jaguars! You make me proud to be your brother!

Reply
Cherie Pittillo September 7, 2017 - 8:35 pm

Thank you, brother! Glad you liked it.

Reply
Barbara MacKinnon September 8, 2017 - 3:30 pm

Hi Cherrie – I am just getting around to savoring your fabulos photos from one of the most unique locations for nature lovers on earth. So glad you had this lifetime experience and the talent for sharing it.

Reply
Cherie Pittillo September 9, 2017 - 4:30 pm

Thanks, Barbara MacKinnon! Definitely a life highlight. Almost difficult to assimilate it and to realize I was observing several jaguars in the wild.

Reply
Tracy Schuller July 12, 2023 - 7:22 pm

I have always been fascinated with the big cats and I am so thankful to have met you and that you have shared your passion for me to enjoy. Beautiful pictures and interesting information. Don’t forget that I am ready to go with you on your next adventure.

Reply

Leave a Reply to Fred Pittillo Cancel Reply

Our Company

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consect etur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis.

Newsletter

Laest News

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Accept

Are you sure want to unlock this post?
Unlock left : 0
Are you sure want to cancel subscription?
-
00:00
00:00
Update Required Flash plugin
-
00:00
00:00