Jaguar (animal)

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Edward Kenway killing a white jaguar

Jaguars are large, predatory cats found in the forested areas of North and South America.

Description

In the 18th and 19th centuries, a jaguar's range stretched from the present southern United States to northern Argentina, but is extinguished in several parts of this region today. In the United States, for example, it has been extinct since the beginning of the 20th century, but possibly still occurs in Arizona. When hunting, they typically approach slowly and carefully, before pouncing upon their prey. Once their quarry is immobilized, a jaguar bites directly into their skull to pierce the brainstem or sever the spinal column, providing the feline with an effective killing method. ^{[citation needed]}

Within the species, color morphs regularly occur. Most commonly, this results in melanistic jaguars, which are informally referred to as black panthers. ^{[citation needed]} Due to genetic mutation or albinism, white jaguars also appear, though they are rarer and tend to be more aggressive.

History

An Aztec cast gold ring featuring a jaguar

During the early 18th century, jaguars hunted in the jungles of the West Indies, and were in turn hunted by humans for their pelts. The pirate Edward Kenway killed and skinned regular, black, and white jaguars, selling their pelts for profit or using them to craft specific outfits.

Given their historical distribution, jaguars have featured prominently in the mythology of numerous indigenous American cultures, including those of the Maya and Aztecs.

Behind the scenes

The Redingote Up! achievement in Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag could be earned by crafting the hunter outfit, which required the pelt of a white jaguar. When worn, said outfit reduced the detection range of all animals in the vicinity.

The feline pelt outfit could be crafted after acquiring the pelt of a regular jaguar, though the outfit sported no advantages, being purely aesthetic.

In the game, jaguars could be found on the island of Príncipe in Africa, despite the species being native to the American continent. 

Appearances

• Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag (first appearance)
• Assassin's Creed: Pirates (mentioned only)