A jaguar in Brazil has recently made headlines for an extraordinary feat that has left scientists puzzled and intrigued. In a rare event, the jaguar was captured on camera performing a swim that surpassed any previously documented distance for the species. According to Live Science, the swim not only broke records but also raised questions about the animal’s behavior and motivations.
While jaguars are known to be strong swimmers, this particular journey exceeded the expectations of researchers who were studying the region. The details of this remarkable swim offer new insights into the capabilities and adaptability of these powerful big cats.
A Swim Like No Other: Breaking Boundaries
In May 2020, a jaguar was first spotted by a camera trap near the Serra da Mesa Hydroelectric Power Dam, located in Brazil’s Goiás state. It was on an artificial island in a reservoir, far from its usual territory. And what’s even more astonishing? To get there, the jaguar had to swim. A long swim.
According to scientists, the jaguar swam a jaw-dropping 1.54 miles (2.48 kilometers), far surpassing the previous record for jaguars’ swimming distances, which was roughly 650 feet (200 meters). While jaguars are known to be capable swimmers—often venturing into rivers and lakes to hunt caimans, fish, and turtles—this swim took it to another level entirely. The distance was so far that it broke the earlier assumption that jaguars typically swim only short distances.
Credit: Gabriel Caputo
So, what exactly did this adventurous feline do? Researchers believe the animal swam at least 0.79 miles (1.27 kilometers) to reach a small island in the reservoir. But there’s a twist: The jaguar might have taken two separate swims. One route could have involved swimming 0.66 miles (1.07 kilometers) to a tiny islet before diving back into the water for the final stretch. If the jaguar swam in one continuous stretch, it would’ve covered the entire 1.54 miles in one go—an impressive feat.
Why Did the Jaguar Swim So Far?
So, what motivated the jaguar to undertake such a monumental swim? Was it food, territory, or just curiosity? According to Leandro Silveira, the lead biologist from the Jaguar Conservation Fund, there’s no clear reason why this specific jaguar swam to the island.
Prey in this region appears to be fairly evenly distributed – Silveira explained.
The jaguar was filmed with a camera trap on a small island in an artificial lake created by the Serra da Mesa Hydroelectric Power Dam. Credit: Gabriel Caputo
Nothing suggests the island has more prey, nor do the shorelines. We think he decided to explore a new area.
It’s likely that the jaguar wasn’t starving or desperate for food, but rather on a quest for something else—perhaps looking for new territory or even a female to mate with. In other words, it could have been driven by instinct rather than hunger.
Are Long Swims Really That Surprising for Jaguars?
This swim may have been record-breaking, but Fernando Tortato, a project coordinator for Panthera (an organization dedicated to big-cat conservation), believes that jaguars swimming long distances might not be as rare as it seems.
Most of the jaguar population is located in the Amazon basin – Tortato pointed out.
The main rivers there are much larger than 1.6 kilometers—some are even over 10 kilometers wide. Jaguars don’t see a river as a barrier.
Tortato suggests that the jaguar might have been searching for capybaras, a popular prey species often found in areas like artificial lakes.
It’s common to see capybaras along these artificial lakes – he says.
Perhaps this was the jaguar’s way of hunting in new territory—using its impressive swimming skills to find a fresh hunting ground.
What Makes Jaguars Such Amazing Swimmers?
Jaguars are naturally talented swimmers, a skill they’ve perfected over millions of years. Their powerful bodies and strong limbs make them more than capable of navigating rivers, lakes, and even ocean waters. But what really sets them apart is their ability to swim for both distance and duration.
Their muscular build, combined with their comfort in aquatic environments, allows them to stay submerged for long stretches. Whether it’s chasing prey or exploring new areas, these big cats have adapted beautifully to life in the water.
