Black Jaguar
The melanistic or 'black' jaguar is a colour variant of the jaguar (Panthera onca). It appears almost entirely black due to dense pigmentation but still shows the characteristic rosette pattern in certain lights.
Black Jaguar Quick Facts
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Melanistic jaguars are not a separate species — their coat results from a dominant pigment gene and they are cryptic in dense forest habitats.
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Lifespan
12-15 years (wild)
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Habitat
Tropical rainforests, dense woodlands
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Diet
Large mammals, reptiles, fish
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Region
Central and South America
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