Big cats have all manner of impressive skills, from being the apex predator to the ancestor of modern humans, to surviving in all manner of habitats. Now a jaguar has broken a record by swimming six times the previous distance thought to be possible for the species. The rest of this article is behind a paywall. Please sign in or subscribe to access the full content.

In central Brazil, camera traps recorded a jaguar ( Panthera onca ) on the mainland in April 2020 and then later on a forested island in August 2024. To reach the island the jaguar must have crossed an artificial lake. The individual was a male and is recognized in the camera trap photos by its distinctive spot pattern. The mainland showing the location of camera traps along with two possible swimming routes to the isla

See Full Page