A rare variant within the jaguar (Panthera onca) species, it's estimated only 11 per cent of jaguars have this dark colouration. But while the black jaguar may appear to be all black, it has spots like other jaguars called rosettes. Black jaguars live alone, marking their large territories with their scat and by leaving distinctive claw markings on trees. Unlike many other cats, jaguars do not avoid water – they are good swimmers. They can kill just about any type of prey they encounter but prefer large animals such as capybaras, alligators, deer and armadillos. Due to hunting and habitat loss, jaguars in general are endangered cats, but black jaguars are an especially rare sight, with only around 600 thought to exist in the wild.
