Most impressive predation feats by felines (video/photo)

[Dark Jaguar]

Mamirauá Reserve - Amazon.

From the study by Emiliano Ramalho ( USE OF THE HABITAT OF THE HABITAT AND DIET OF THE Jaguar (PANTHERA ONCA) IN A VARZEA AREA, SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT RESERVE MAMIRAUÁ, CENTRAL AMAZÔNIA, BRAZIL. )

http://livros01.livrosgratis.com.br/cp010195.pdf

PAGE 29.

The carcasses of prey slaughtered by jaguar were of species often found in feces. Five Jacaretinga (Spectacled caiman), two Black caimans, two bentinho sloths and one garganey (Dendrocygna autumalis) were identified. All the caimans carcasses were from adult individuals. On average the total length of the individuals killed was 1.4 meters. The black caimans were one young and one adult, with 1.5 m and 3 meters in total length respectively. It was not possible to determine the reproductive class of the carcasses of the other species found.

No Guariba monkey ( Alouatta belzebul ) carcasses were found, probably because the jaguar eats  this prey entirely. In the case of the bentinho-sloths the nails are not consumed by the predator and therefore it is possible to locate the carcass.  The garganey can only be found because of the large amount of feathers that the predator has not consumed. caimans were easily found because the leather and the head of these preys were not consumed.

The black caiman carcasses were found on the shore of a lake and were only five meters from each other. These two preys were consumed in the same period and the signs of fight  in the grass in the flooded area next to where the carcasses were found rule out the possibility that they were consumed as carrion. From the pugmarks found at the site, at least three distinct jaguar individuals were identified, which used the site at the same time.  These pugmarks were probably from a mother with two sub-adult cubs.

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Side Note - The adult 3m black caiman was probably a female due to the small size being adult but its yet very impressive feats given even females black caimans are also very aggressive which hint was given by the signs of fight over the grass on the predation spot. Reply