Differences Between the Jaguar & the Jaguarundi

The Jaguar (Panthera onca) and the Jaguarundi (Herpailurus yaguarondi) have similar sounding common names but are actually two completely different species of wild cat. While they have a few similarities, such as being carnivorous mammals from Central and South America and enjoying a swim now and then, the Jaguar and Jaguarundi are more different than they are the same.

  1. Features

    • The Jaguar is the largest big cat found in South America. It can weigh from 100 to 250 lbs. and is 5 to 6 feet long from the tip of his nose to the base of his tail, with another 2 to 3 feet in length added from the tail itself. Most Jaguars are tan or orange and covered in black spots called "rosettes." In comparison, the Jaguarundi is small, weighing between 12 and 18 lbs. and stretching 3 to 4 1/2 feet in length, with 1 to 2 feet of that being the tail. It is gray or reddish brown in color, sometimes with white or cream-colored spots on its throat, and has a narrow head that gives it a "weasel-like" appearance.

    Territory

    • With a protection status of "near threatened" in its natural habitat, the Jaguar roams from Central through South America and can be seen mostly in the Amazon Basin region. The Jaguarundi is listed as "stable" in its natural territory ranging from Argentina to the U.S.-Mexico border areas in Central America, but at one time could also be found in the southeast areas of Arizona and Texas. It is now listed as "endangered" in these areas.

    Prey

    • Basically carnivores, the Jaguarundi will hunt small prey animals such as rodents, birds, reptiles and rabbits. It will also eat fruit on occasion, though it does not play a large part in the Jaguarundi's diet. Jaguars will search out food on both land and in the water, and their meals may include fish, turtles, caimans, deer, peccaries, capybaras and tapirs.

    Breeding

    • Both the Jaguar and Jaguarundi are solitary animals that only join with others of their kind to mate. Jaguars will have a litter of two to four cubs, which they will raise for two years or more. Jaguarundis, on the other hand, will have one to four kittens and will only watch over them for the first 10 months of their lives.