Shawn McGee, age 9, of Nogales, Ariz., for his question:

DOES THE WILD JAGUAR LIVE IN THE UNITED STATES?

The jaguar is probably the most ferocious cat in the Western Hemisphere. At one time it roamed as far north as the deserts of Arizona and southern California. But today the jaguar lives wild only in Mexico, Central America and South America.

The jaguar is slightly smaller, but heavier, than the mountain lion. A male will grow to be about eight feet long and may weigh up to 290 pounds. In his eight foot length is included a tail that is about two and a half feet long.

The big cat has a loud, deep roar and vicious habits that make it the most feared animal in the Central and South American rainforests. The jaguar likes to lie on tree branches and then leap upon its prey.

The jaguar's fur 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.

The jaguar is next to the lion and tiger in strength among cats.