David Curran, age 8, of Concord, N.H., for his question:

HOW BIG IS THE JAGUAR?

The jaguar is probably the most ferocious cat in the Western Hemisphere.

It is slightly smaller, but heavier, than the mountain lion. A male jaguar will grow to be about eight feet long, including its two and a half foot tail, and weigh up to 300 pounds.

Jaguars once roamed as far north as the deserts of Arizona and southern California. But now you'll find them living only in Mexico, Central America and South America.

The jaguar will lie on a tree branch and then leap upon its prey. It eats such animals as deer, peccary, tapir and the agouti.

Jaguars have vicious habits. They are the most feared animals in Central and South America. Going along with a ferocious way is the cat's loud, deep roar.

The jaguar's coat is usually deep yellow or brownish yellow and marked with many dark spots. Some spots look like broken rings. These spots are light colored with dark borders and a dark spot in the center. Other spots are black.

Some South American jaguars are almost coal black. It is next to the lion and tiger in strength among the cats.