Charles J. Sharp · CC BY-SA 4.0Puma
Puma concolor · jagua pytã
The second-largest cat in the Americas, plain tawny in color; it adapts to almost any habitat.
What it is
It has the widest range of any wild land mammal in the Americas, from Canada to Patagonia. Uniformly reddish-brown, it stalks deer, peccaries and other medium-sized animals. Unlike the big cats of the genus Panthera, it doesn't roar: it purrs, like small cats do. In Paraguay it lives in the Chaco, the Pantanal and the eastern forests.
Did you know…?
Its Guaraní name, jagua pytã, translates as “reddish dog” and refers to its color.
Where
The Dry Chaco (Defensores del Chaco, Médanos), the Pantanal and the eastern reserves. The Itaipú reserves ask drivers to slow down on nearby roads because pumas have been killed by vehicles.
Researched and reviewed in September 2026 with 3 sources. A second reviewer checked dates, coordinates and lodging. Hours and prices may change.