Both panthers and jaguars are apex predators, meaning they are at the top of their food chain. They are both very powerful animals, but there are some key differences between them. Let’s take a look at these two big cats and see what sets them apart.
What is Panther?
Panther is a large member of the cat family that is native to Africa and Asia. The Panther is also commonly known as the leopard, although it is not a true leopard. The panther can grow to be six feet long and can weigh up to 200 pounds. Panther has short, smooth fur that is yellow or golden with black spots. Panther is an excellent climber and swimmer and is very agile. Panther is a carnivore and feeds on small mammals, birds, and reptiles. Panther is a solitary animal and typically only comes together with other Panther during mating season. Panther typically lives for 10-12 years in the wild and up to 20 years in captivity. Panther is endangered due to habitat loss, trophy hunting, and conflict with humans. Panther is protected under the Endangered Species Act and is listed as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
What is Jaguar?
- Jaguar is the common name for a large felid species native to the Americas, Panthera onca. Jaguar are the only Panthera species found in the Americas and their range extends from Mexico through much of Central America and south to Paraguay and northern Argentina. Jaguar have an exceptionally powerful bite, even relative to the other big cats.
- This allows them to pierce turtle shells, and Jaguar are among the few predators that regularly prey on deer. The Jaguar’s present range extends across much of Central America, South America and Mexico.
- Its historical range extended throughout North and Central America, including portions of the southwestern United States. Jaguar prefer tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests, woodlands, marshes, swamps and mangrove in lowland rainforests where they stalking their prey. Jagua enjoy swimming and are largely nocturnal, but are active seekers of food at dawn and dusk.
- Although there is little scientific evidence, it has been claimed that Jaguars occasionally attack humans without provocation. However, even these rare instances generally occur during daylight hours near dense jungles with little or no moonlight visible.
Difference between Panther and Jaguars
Panther and Jaguars are both large felines that are members of the Panthera genus. The Panther is actually a black variant of the Jaguar, and both Panther and Jaguar can be found in the Americas. Panther vs Jaguar size is one notable difference between these two animals – Panthers tend to be slightly smaller than Jaguars. Another difference between Panther and Jaguar is their geographic location – Panthers are found primarily in North and South America, while Jaguars are found mainly in South America.
Panther vs Jaguar behavior is also worth mentioning – Panthers are generally shy and solitary animals, while Jaguars are more social and often live in pairs or small groups. Finally, Panther and Jaguar diet differs slightly – Panthers typically eat the smaller prey, such as deer, while Jaguars typically eat larger prey, such as caiman. While there are some notable differences between Panther and Jaguar, they are both still impressive animals that are definitely worth learning about.
Conclusion
Panthers and Jaguars are two different animals. Jaguars live in the Americas, while panthers can be found all over the world. Jaguars are known for their spotted fur, while panthers can have black or brown fur. The main difference between these two animals is that panthers are a type of cat, while jaguars are actually a member of the big cat family.
