Jaguar in the Pantanal wetlands Jul 9, 2019

Jaguar in the Pantanal wetlands

What"s the best place to see a wild jaguar? The Amazon rainforest may be more well known, but the Pantanal is the world"s largest tropical wetlands—and the place you"re most likely to spot a jaguar in the wild. The Pantanal"s estimated 70,000 square miles cover part of the western side of Brazil and extend into Bolivia and Paraguay. Portions of the Pantanal are protected within national parks and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It"s difficult to travel there during the wet season (November-April)—high temperatures make it nearly unbearable, and rain and flooding often close roads. Hotels in the region even shut down for periods of time each year. May through September is the dry season, when temperatures cool off and conditions are more friendly to both people and many animals. If you plan to visit, pack some binoculars and keep your eyes peeled for a big spotted cat sitting blithely on the riverbank.

© Andy Rouse/Minden Pictures

palette

Today in History

Jul 9, 2018Gauchos showcase Argentina’s independent spirit
Jul 9, 2020High alpine color in Colorado
Jul 9, 2021A center of antiquity on the Mediterranean
Jul 9, 2022Dolomites
Jul 9, 2023Moselle River loop near Kröv, Germany
Jul 9, 2024Talampaya National Park, Argentina
Jul 9, 2025Independence Day of the Argentine Republic

More Desktop Wallpapers:

Apr 18, 2020National Park Week begins
Jan 27, 2019A memorial in Germany
Mar 19, 2025A black heron canopy feeding in Botswana
Apr 29, 2025Formal garden at Château de Villandry, Loire Valley, France
Jun 19, 2023Juneteenth
Nov 5, 2022Tigh Mor Trossachs on Loch Achray, Scotland
Apr 20, 2020In the Garden of Europe
Aug 12, 2023World Elephant Day
Aug 19, 2020Freeze frame
Jun 14, 2022Museum Mile Festival
May 30, 2023Playa del Amor, Marietas Islands, Mexico
Sep 21, 2022International Day of Peace
Jun 22, 2019Reflections on the mighty Amazon
Oct 21, 2020Does this chameleon look a little insecure?
Jan 5, 2025National Bird Day
Nov 6, 2020Life in the slow lane
Sep 18, 2021Hanging out on a limb
May 29, 2018The first ascent
Nov 3, 2022International Day for Biosphere Reserves
Aug 31, 2024Tassili n’Ajjer, Sahara, Algeria
Aug 10, 2024Joshua Tree National Park, California
Oct 17, 2024Frost-covered dunes on Mars
Nov 11, 2022Veterans Day
Nov 9, 2025Carl Sagan Day
Dec 30, 2024Mount Field National Park, Tasmania, Australia
Sep 12, 2023North Sea at sunset, Norddorf, Germany
Oct 6, 2024Ancient town of Sorano, Tuscany, Italy
Aug 3, 2019Cetacean Saturday
Mar 3, 2020All eyes on sustainability
Feb 14, 2023Valentines Day