Mammals
Black jaguar
Panthera onca
The black jaguar is not a separate species: it is a jaguar (Panthera onca) with melanism, a genetic variant that produces an almost entirely black coat. In the right light the rosettes are still visible, like a pattern within the pattern.
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In short
The black jaguar (Panthera onca) is a species with IUCN conservation status NT (Near threatened). Like the tawny jaguar, it frequents tropical forests and wetlands; the dark coat seems to offer a camouflage advantage in the gloom of dense forest. Animals in Black offers a fine-art portrait of it on a black background, available as a print on Hahnemühle paper: view the print.
Habitat & conservation
Where does the black jaguar live?
Like the tawny jaguar, it frequents tropical forests and wetlands; the dark coat seems to offer a camouflage advantage in the gloom of dense forest. It is a solitary hunter with an immensely powerful bite.
Is the black jaguar endangered?
It shares the species' status: the IUCN Red List rates the jaguar Near Threatened (NT) with a declining population, due to deforestation, habitat fragmentation and poaching.
Facts about the black jaguar
- It is a melanistic jaguar, not a different species.
- The rosettes remain visible against the black coat in raking light.
- Melanism is more common in dense tropical forests.
Data source: IUCN Red List — Panthera onca (Near Threatened)
RED List
Conservation status codes
- EX Extinct No individuals survive.
- EW Extinct in the wild Survives only in captivity.
- CR Critically endangered Extremely high risk of extinction.
- EN Endangered Very high risk of extinction.
- VU Vulnerable High risk of extinction.
- NT Near threatened Likely to become threatened soon.
- LC Least concern Low risk of extinction.
- DD Data deficient Not enough data to assess.
- NE Not evaluated Not yet assessed by the IUCN.