How to Survive a Jaguar Attack

Should you ever have to encounter a jaguar on a nice trip through the tropical rainforests of South America, or due to the unfortunate bad luck of finding yourself in a jaguar enclosure in a zoo, then here are some tips you'll need to survive those big teeth and claws aimed towards you.

Steps

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    Take precaution in the forest. The last thing you want is a jaguar leaping onto your back unexpectedly from a tree![1]
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    Don't draw attention to yourself. If you see a jaguar that doesn't spot you, then don't disturb it.
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    Back away slowly. If the jaguar spots you, avoid eye contact, this can be seen as a challenge.[2]
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    Don't run. You will be viewed as prey. Plus, jaguars are much faster than you.[3]
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    Ready yourself for an attack. If the jaguar charges at you, don't run, instead, hold your ground, wave your arms and shout, making yourself seem bigger and more dangerous than you really are.
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    Fight back as hard as you can. If the jaguar does not stop charging, poking it in the eye or punching it on the nose could well discourage it from pressing its attack.
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    Protect the back of your head if the jaguar does not stop. The jaguar is a very unusual killer. Rather than biting the neck, it goes for the back of the head to pierce the brain and kill the prey. Protecting your head could help you survive, although this cat has very strong teeth.[4]

Community Q&A

  • Question
    Will it eventually go away with enough time?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    It is very rare that you will ever see a jaguar and if it shows itself to you I would recommend going back the way you came because you might be getting too close to its den. As in almost all animals, jaguars are more afraid of you than you are of them.
  • Question
    Why do jaguars stay in trees?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    They are strong climbers and usually drag their prey up the tree to eat to prevent the loss of their prey to other animals.
  • Question
    If I have meat with me, should I throw it somewhere to try to send the jaguar in that direction?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Absolutely not! The jaguar will see that you have food and it will be more attracted to you. Don't do anything to draw attention to yourself.
  • Question
    How do I survive a jaguar attack if it's chasing my child?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    To save your child, you could bring it's attention to you by throwing rocks or sticks and by making loud noises. If the jaguar focuses on you and not the child, use the recommendations in this article to save yourself.
  • Question
    Is it better to scratch or strangle the jaguar?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Strangling it does nothing. Scratching is only effective in the eye, but poking its eye or nose is way better.
  • Question
    Can I kick its eye instead?
    Tom De Backer
    Tom De Backer
    Top Answerer
    Even if you're an experienced and skilled MMA fighter, leg kicks simply are much more difficult to control accurately than arm punches. Legs are a blunt tool, hands are a fine-tuned instrument (try typing your next text message with your toe). So, yes, you could indeed kick its eye, but it is definitely not more effective.
  • Question
    Do jaguars hunt in packs, or are they solitary hunters?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    No, jaguars do not hunt in packs. They prefer to hunt alone.
  • Question
    Are jaguars the best killers?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Depends on what is being attacked. It can easily kill a small animal, but other things could kill it.
  • Question
    Can jaguars kill lions?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    No, because jaguars and lions live in completely different parts of the world. Lions are found in Africa, and jaguars live in Central and South America.
  • Question
    Will carrying meat (lunch) attract a jaguar?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Possibly. If the jaguar smells the meat (lunch) and is on the hunt, it might go after it, being a meat eater.

Warnings

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References

  1. ↑ https://www.lonelyplanet.com/articles/what-to-do-when-you-encounter-dangerous-animals
  2. ↑ https://www.panthera.org/blog/2016/07/06/what-to-do-if-you-meet-jaguar
  3. ↑ https://thejaguarandallies.com/2016/07/12/how-you-should-act-if-you-encounter-a-wild-jaguar/
  4. ↑ https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2018/05/the-jaguar-is-made-for-the-age-of-humans/558650/
  5. ↑ https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2018/05/the-jaguar-is-made-for-the-age-of-humans/558650/

About This Article

wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. To create this article, 10 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. This article has been viewed 63,679 times.
132 votes - 84%
Co-authors: 10
Updated: April 25, 2020
Views: 63,679
Categories: Animal and Insect Safety