Stalking the forests and deserts of the Americas, jaguars are the largest cat in their home range, and the third largest in the world behind the tiger and lion, respectively.
Their sleek frames can stretch over six feet long (eight with their tail tallied in the math) and the heavier males can weigh in up to 300 pounds. Their shoulders can rise over 2 ½ feet off the ground. They can live up to 20 years.
Known for their distinctive rose-like spots, they are beautiful and graceful creatures (Source).
The question is, are they dangerous to humans?
The Life of the Jaguar
Before we make that determination, let’s explore their lifestyle a little further to fully understand how these magnificent creatures behave in the wild.
As an apex predator, he is a skilled hunter who prefers to keep to himself, protecting his range from other males while allowing several females to roam within. Most active just before sunrise and after sunset, they typically stalk small mammals. They are not particularly picky eaters, supping on a variety of prey such as deer, armadillos, iguanas, monkeys, sloths, birds, squirrels, and even frogs.
They are also quite fond of fish. Unlike most cats (such as your pet variety, most likely), they enjoy the water and are quite good swimmers. They are clever enough to use their tail as a fishing lure to draw them close before snatching them.
What Makes Jaguars Dangerous?
Jaguars do not typically waste any time and they sure don’t mess around. While some cats go for the jugular, jaguars are well aware that their bite is the most powerful of any cat and they use it to full effect, more than happy to simply crush their prey’s skull with a single bite.
That doesn’t mean that the jaguar is impatient, though. They are more than content to wait up in a tree until an animal passes below and then rain the jaws of death down upon their prey from above!
They are smart and patient and know how to quickly and efficiently get the job done in a variety of ways.
How Dangerous Are Jaguars To Humans?
Fortunately for us, the jaguar is usually more content to avoid humans than to make any attempt to attack. However, from time to time (especially when provoked), it does happen and when it does, the results are usually horrific.
What’s worse is that when jaguar attacks do occur, children are the most likely target as they can typically fall into the size and weight of their typical prey.
Once a jaguar decides to act, things escalate quickly. Remember that they have those powerful jaws and their intent to use them to crack skulls and provide an instant kill are as effective on humans as they are on other animals.
Jaguar attacks usually end in immediate death or severe injury which can have life altering effects.
Do Jaguars Eat Humans?
Jaguar attacks on humans are rare, and they do not consider humans to be prey. They are usually more than happy to simply avoid them.
If they do attack, it is usually because they feel threatened or are protecting their young. In most circumstances, they will not eat human meat.
Yet starvation can be a powerful motivator, so in the event that a jaguar is exceptionally hungry, all bets are off. It’s also possible that, having eaten human flesh in the past for whatever reason, a jaguar may have acquired a taste for it, but this would be an unusual situation.
How To Protect Yourself When a Jaguar Attacks
Prevention is the best way to deal with jaguar attacks and here are some tips to help reduce the chances you will find yourself fending off this deadly hunter:
- If a jaguar doesn’t notice you, do not draw attention to yourself
- Stay away from the animal at all costs, especially if it is with young
- Slowly back away; do not run as it will view you as prey
- Do not make eye contact as the feline may see this as a challenge
If none of this is possible or for whatever reason, the jaguar is set on assaulting you, here is some advice to help survive the encounter.
Stand Your Ground
A jaguar is very fast and you will not outrun it. Running will let the jaguar know it has the upper hand and you will also resemble prey, so it is more likely to pursue you. Instead, try to be intimidating by making yourself bigger by extending your arms above your head while waving and shouting. You want to seem as dangerous as possible.
Protect Your Head
Jaguars want to make a quick end to things by chomping your skull. Do not give them the opportunity to do so. Do your best to keep your head and upper spine safe if the creature charges you.
You have to make the jaguar decide that attacking you is not worth the risk. If it engages you and you find yourself in a struggle, fight back for all you are worth, targeting its eyes and nose to try to hurt it enough to make it abandon the attack.
Since there’s not much else you can do other than fight since you won’t outrun it, that makes avoiding situations where you may be forced to defend yourself all the more important.
Have There Been Any Reported Deaths From Jaguar Attacks?
Yes, there have been, as most engagements with a jaguar end in death. Some escape with serious injuries, but your odds of going unscathed against this powerful apex predator are not in your favor.
This is why it is exceedingly important to protect your children if there are jaguar sightings or if you live in an area where they frequently roam. Your goal is to limit opportunities for interactions with jaguar to occur in the first place, so plan accordingly.
While a beautiful and intelligent feline, the jaguar is best viewed on the nature channels. Jaguar attacks on humans are rare, but when they do occur, they are deadly and horrific.
Take appropriate measures to keep yourself and your children out of any situation where you may find yourself fending off this powerful creature and certainly do not do anything to provoke them, especially if they are with their young.