Deep in the Brazilian Amazon, researchers from the University of East Anglia have filmed for the first time a black and spotted jaguar mating in Serra do Pardo National Park. Black jaguars are not a separate species, but a rare colour form with excess pigmentation that allows them to blend into the shadows of the rainforest.
Advertising
Both color variants have similar hunting abilities and a powerful physique, making jaguars the apex predators of the ecosystem. These animals usually lead a solitary lifestyle, so such observations are extremely rare. The six-minute video captured the entire courtship and mating process, including the male’s behavior, the female’s reactions, sounds and movements.
Despite the differences in color, the behavior of both jaguars was similar, which confirms the stability of innate instincts. The camera also recorded a brief pause between the two acts of mating, which coincided with the peak of the female’s fertility, as well as signs of successful fertilization.
