Jaguar Predation

[Dark Jaguar]

From: MANUAL OF IDENTIFICATION, PREVENTION AND CONTROL OF PREDATION BY CARNIVORES

''Carcasses predated by jaguars almost always have a bite on the base of the skull (behind the ears) or on the neck area, crushing it or breaking vertebrae (Figure 7). However, the death itself most often (in adults) tends to be caused by the breaking of the neck from the impact of the fall. In many cases the head of the preyed animal is turned backwards. The carcass is rarely killed by suffocation with a bite to the throat.''


Figure 7 - Adult horse with lesion at the base of the skull, typical feature of jaguar attack.

photo: CENAP'S Archive

*This image is copyright of its original author

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''Another characteristic of carcasses preyed on by jaguars is that the jaguar begins to consume the carcass from the anterior portion, starting to feed on the face and neck, and then moving to the chest region (Figure 8). The lower part of the neck and the chest commonly known as the "bleeder" is the favorite part of the carcass. It is common for the hind parts (after the ribs) to be left intact. On the other hand, calves are fully consumed, including the head and legs.''


Figure 8 - Buffalo preyed by jaguar, which usually start feeding from the pectoral region.

photo: Maria Renata Pereira Leite Pitman

*This image is copyright of its original author

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