Eight Prey Animals of the Jaguar

Jaguars (Panthera onca) are opportunistic apex predators with a broad diet. Eight key prey species:

1. Tapirs (large, nocturnal ungulates – favored where abundant)
2. Capybaras (world's largest rodent, semi-aquatic)
3. Peccaries (collared & white-lipped – herd-forming, noisy)
4. Deer (brocket, white-tailed, marsh deer)
5. Agoutis (diurnal rodents, scatter-hoarders)
6. Pacas (nocturnal, large rodents, near water)
7. Armadillos (nine-banded, six-banded – dug from burrows)
8. Fish (catfish, characins – jaguars swim and hunt in water)

Also take caimans, turtles, birds, monkeys, livestock. Powerful bite (1,500 psi) pierces turtle shells, caiman skulls. Diet varies by habitat (rainforest, Pantanal, scrubland).