09-08-2025

Rare and elusive black jaguars were captured mating on video for the first time ever

Earth.com staff writer

Deep in the Brazilian Amazon, something extraordinary was caught on camera. Researchers from the University of East Anglia (UEA) filmed a black-coated jaguar mating with a spotted jaguar in Serra do Pardo National Park.

This rare moment offers a new glimpse into the secret world of one of the most elusive predators on Earth.

Understanding black jaguars – the basics

Black jaguars are not a separate species, but a color variation of the jaguar (Panthera onca). Their dark coats come from a genetic trait called melanism, which causes them to produce more pigment than usual.

Even though their fur looks almost completely black, if you look closely in the right light, you can still see the jaguar’s famous rosette patterns hidden beneath the dark coloring.

Scientists believe this adaptation helps black jaguars blend into the dense shadows of rainforests, giving them an edge when stalking prey.

Despite their mysterious appearance, black jaguars share the same powerful build and hunting abilities as their spotted relatives. Their stealth and strength make them apex predators, meaning they sit at the very top of the food chain.

Jaguars and their mating patterns

Jaguars usually live solitary lives, making them difficult to observe. During an Amazon Biodiversity and Carbon (ABC) Expedition, researchers recorded a six-minute video showing a melanistic female with a spotted male.

“We hit the proverbial jackpot and captured the first-ever video trap footage of a black jaguar mating with a spotted male in the wild,” said Professor Carlos Peres of UEA.

“The six-minute sequence reveals courtship and copulation, and if they’d moved a few meters we would have missed everything!”

First wild jaguar mating

The footage provides a look into behavior rarely seen outside captivity. “This is the first time we’ve captured a melanistic jaguar mating in the wild,” said Postdoctoral Researcher Thomas Luypaert from the Norwegian University of Life Sciences.

Such observations are crucial, since jaguar reproduction is still poorly understood in natural settings. Most previous knowledge comes from zoos, where stress or mate incompatibility can distort natural instincts.

Jaguars have similar mating patterns

The recorded event displayed many of the same stages seen in captive jaguars.

Researchers noted the male’s approach, the female’s crouching, mounting, receptiveness, and pelvic movements – all matching well-documented sequences.

Some behaviors, like tail flicking, growls, and female rolling after mating, added further depth.

Interestingly, the study suggested that even with coat differences, both black and spotted jaguars show similar mating patterns.

This consistency supports the idea that jaguar courtship is deeply rooted and resilient across conditions.

Timing and signals

The footage revealed details about timing. The two mating events occurred in rapid succession, separated by just over three minutes.

Such short intervals are consistent with female peak fertility, when frequent copulation may help trigger ovulation.

Acoustic cues also played a role. Male vocalizations near the end of mating matched known signals of ejaculation.

Meanwhile, the female’s rolling after the second copulation suggested successful intromission – a critical detail for assessing reproductive outcomes.

Survival through deception

One intriguing detail was evidence of lactation in the female, hinting she might already have cubs. If so, her mating could represent pseudo-estrus, a behavior where females mate not for conception but for protection.

“If the female was indeed lactating, it could mean she was using a ‘hide-and-flirt’ strategy, which is mating to confuse paternity and protect her cubs,” Luypaert explained. “That’s a possibility we can’t rule out.”

This aligns with other reports of jaguars mating while raising cubs. By confusing males about paternity, females may lower the risk of infanticide.

Jaguar communication and behavior

Melanism, caused by a mutation in the MC1R gene, occurs in about 10 percent of jaguars. It is more common in humid environments, where a dark coat may improve camouflage and thermoregulation.

While some studies suggest melanism might affect behavior through linked genetic traits, the researchers found no obvious difference.

Communication in jaguars relies on more than visual cues, with scent and sound likely ensuring courtship continuity.

This single encounter carries weight far beyond novelty. It validates captive behavioral studies, offers benchmarks for ex situ breeding programs, and provides fresh context for jaguar conservation.

“Understanding how jaguars behave in their natural environment is essential, not just for science, but for improving conservation and breeding programs worldwide,” Luypaert said.

Cameras changing science

Beyond jaguars, this work highlights the power of technology. Camera traps allow scientists to capture rare moments without disturbing wildlife.

“Camera traps are revolutionizing how we study animals,” Luypaert said. “Without them, this moment would have gone completely unnoticed.”

Researchers hope to expand these observations to see if melanism influences reproductive success or social dynamics. “This is just one data point, but it opens the door to asking bigger questions,” noted Luypaert.

Jaguar research in the Amazon

The Amazon Biodiversity and Carbon (ABC) Expeditions, led by NMBU and UEA with Brazilian institutes, combine wildlife surveys and vegetation studies to understand biodiversity and carbon stocks in remote Amazon regions.

This jaguar encounter is one remarkable story emerging from their fieldwork. It illustrates how dedicated monitoring efforts can uncover extraordinary insights, strengthen conservation practices, and reveal behaviors previously hidden within the forest.