The Jaguar is the largest cat in the New World, and this formidable hunter can take down almost any prey it desires. It is the only cat in America that can roar.

History: Although native to Central and South America, the ancestors of the jaguar originally migrated from a land bridge that connected Asia with North America. Jaguars once roamed large areas in the extreme southwestern United States, but now it is known that very few jaguars move north of the border with Mexico and their overall numbers are declining. It is currently listed as "near threatened" in its remaining range. In many pre-Columbian cultures, the jaguar is considered a spiritual creature with immense power.

Scientific name: Panthera onca

Characteristics: The largest cat found in America, the jaguar is superbly marked with black "rosettes" that are quite striking when out of its natural environment.