“ONÇA PARDA” = “SUÇUARANA” = “COUGAR” = “PUMA CONCOLOR” - Is a mammal of the family ‘FELIDAE’, native to the Americas - from Canada to South America. An adaptable, generalist species, “ONÇA PARDA” is found in every major american habitat type. A capable stalk-and-ambush predator, “ONÇA PARDA” pursues a wide variety of prey. Primary food sources include ungulates such as deer, elk, moose, etc, as well as domestic cattle, horses and sheep. This cat prefers habitats with dense underbrush and rocky areas for stalking, but it can also live in open areas. “ONÇA PARDA” is territorial and persists at low population densities. Individual territory sizes depend on terrain, vegetation, and abundance of prey. It holds the Guinness record for the animal with the highest number of names - over 40 names in English alone. "ONÇA PARDA" may be borrowed from the archaic Portuguese “ÇUÇUARANA”, via French; the term was originally derived from the Tupi language. A current form in Brazil is “SUÇUARANA”. It may also be borrowed from the Guarani language term “GUAÇU ARA” or “GUAZU ARA”. They are the fourth largest cats and adults stand about 60 to 76 centimeters tall at the shoulders. The length of adult males is around 2.4 meters long nose to tail, with overall ranges between 1.5 and 2.75 m nose to tail suggested for the species in general. Males typically weigh 53 to 100 kilograms, averaging 62 kg. Females, weigh between 29 and 64 kg, averaging 42 kg. The head of the cat is round and the ears erect. Its powerful forequarters, neck, and jaw serve to grasp and hold large prey. It has five retractable claws on its forepaws (one a dewclaw) and four on its hind paws. This physique allows it great leaping and short-sprint ability. Horizontal jumping capability from standing position is suggested anywhere from 6 to 12 m. “ONÇA PARDA” can run as fast as 55 to 72 km. It is adept at climbing, can swim. “ONÇA PARDA” will eat any animal it can catch; it is an obligate carnivore, feeding only on meat. Small to mid-size mammals are preferred, including large rodents such as the CAPYBARA. The cat drags a kill to a preferred spot, covers it with brush, and returns to feed over a period of days. Like almost all cats, the “ONÇA PARDA” is a solitary animal. Only mothers and kittens live in groups, with adults meeting only to mate. It is secretive and crepuscular, being most active around dawn and dusk. Welcome to the Pantanal of Mato Grosso do Sul…