A jaguar in Brazil has made headlines for an extraordinary swim that shattered previous records for the species. The big cat swam a jaw-dropping 1.54 miles (2.48 kilometers), far surpassing the previous record of roughly 650 feet (200 meters).
Why it matters: This incredible feat offers new insights into the capabilities and adaptability of these powerful big cats, broadening our understanding of their behaviors and potential.
The details:
- The jaguar was first spotted by a camera trap near the Serra da Mesa Hydroelectric Power Dam in Brazil’s Goiás state in May 2020.
- Researchers believe the animal swam at least 0.79 miles (1.27 kilometers) to reach a small island in the reservoir.
- The jaguar might have taken two separate swims, one including a 0.66-mile (1.07 kilometers) stretch to a tiny islet before diving back into the water for the final stretch.
- If the jaguar swam in one continuous stretch, it would’ve covered the entire 1.54 miles in one go.
The motivation behind the jaguar’s monumental swim remains unclear. According to Leandro Silveira, the lead biologist from the team studying the jaguar, there’s no clear reason why this specific jaguar swam to the island. Prey in this region appears to be fairly evenly distributed, suggesting the jaguar wasn’t starving or desperate for food.
What they’re saying:
- “Nothing suggests the island or shorelines have more prey. It’s likely that the jaguar wasn’t starving or desperate for food, but rather exploring a new area—potentially looking for new territory or even a female to mate with.” – Leandro Silveira, lead biologist
- “Most of the jaguar population is located in the Amazon basin. The main rivers there are much larger than 1.6 kilometers—some are even over 10 kilometers wide. Jaguars don’t see a river as a barrier.” – Rafael Tortato, project coordinator for Panthera
Jaguars are naturally talented swimmers, a skill they’ve perfected over millions of years. Their powerful bodies and strong limbs make them more than capable of navigating rivers, lakes, and even ocean waters.
What’s next: This remarkable event raises hopes for the jaguar’s adaptability in fragmented habitats. The study, currently available on the preprint server bioRxiv, is awaiting peer review.
