According to the National System of Conservation Areas, the entity in charge of the administration of Costa Rica's protected wild areas, the Jaguar (Panthera onca) is the country's biggest wild cat.

Costa Rica is home to six distinct varieties of wild cats including the jaguar, the puma (Puma concolor), the manigordo (Leopardus pardalis), the caucel (Leopardus wiedii), the jaguarundi (Herpailurus yagouaroundi) and the tigrillo (Leopardus tigrinus).

Jaguars are known for their beautiful coat, which is usually golden-yellow with black rosettes. The rosettes are essentially spots with a central dot, and their pattern can vary from individual to individual. Jaguars have a stocky build with powerful limbs making them skilled hunters.

These beautiful species are solitary and primarily nocturnal animals. They are opportunistic predators that hunt a wide range of prey, including deer,  turtles, caimans and even larger animals like tapirs. They are known for their powerful bite, which can crush the skulls or shells of their prey.

This big wild cat native to the country has been found in wet forests like the Osa Peninsula, dry forests like Guanacaste's Santa Rosa National Park, and highland forests like the Talamanca Mountain Range.

These magnificent big cats hold a special place in the mythology and culture of many indigenous peoples of the Americas. They are often seen as symbols of power, strength, and mysticism. In some cultures, jaguars are associated with deities and play a significant role in rituals and folklore.

The importance of jaguars in the spiritual view of ancestral cultures is still evidenced across the continent. According to the Pantera Foundation, these big cats are usually perceived as a symbol of power and strength. 

For example, "in Peru, Chavin and Moche cultures often portrayed jaguars in old ceramic pieces and sculptures, regularly in the form of a jaguar-humanoid, representations of humans with feline features or hybrids," said the New York-headquartered organization. "Many believed jaguars represented the union between different forces of nature."  

According to officials, Costa Rica saw a dramatic loss of forest areas more than two decades ago, which were converted into land for agriculture, cattle, forest plantations and human settlements. This rise in habitat fragmentation may have had an impact on jaguar populations, resulting in the decline of several dozen animals. 

Furthermore, hunting of this species' natural prey and poaching of the jaguar as a trophy, as well as exploitation of its skin, claws, and fangs, have all contributed to the fact that the jaguar is now classified as endangered in Costa Rica and is protected by Law Number 7317, Conservation of Wildlife of Costa Rica, which was passed in 1992.

Jaguars are the third-largest big cats in the world, after tigers and lions. They are also native to the rest of the Americas, with their range extending from the southwestern United States through South America.

They are crucial apex predators in their ecosystems, helping to maintain the balance of local wildlife populations. They are also an important flagship species for conservation efforts, as protecting their habitats benefits a wide range of other species as well.

Another fantastic wild cat species in Costa Rica is the manigordo or ocelot (Leopardus pardalis). They are highly adaptable and can thrive in different environments including tropical rainforests, mangrove swamps, grasslands and thorn scrub. 

The Wild Costa Rica page is a space for readers to discover more about the fascinating species that make the Pura Vida land one of the world's countries with the richest natural diversity.

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