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:

Sep 13, 2020Super sandy Sweet 16
May 13, 2019In praise of bogs, swamps, and marshes
May 19, 2022Glass footbridge in Zhangjiajie, China
Sep 16, 2020It s Independence Day in Mexico
Jul 13, 2024International Rock Day
Aug 23, 2024Prasat Phanom Rung temple ruins, Thailand
Oct 8, 2021An uncommonly cool critter
Nov 26, 2024Celebrating World Olive Tree Day
Jan 10, 2021China s colorful terraced pools
Oct 26, 2022Brocken spectre in Central Balkan National Park, Bulgaria
Sep 9, 2020Where the bearded reedling sings
Feb 3, 2021The mountaintop of toppled gods
Sep 2, 2020A rock in a wild place
Apr 23, 2018National Park Week: Haleakalā National Park, Hawaii
Apr 1, 2021Why do elephants hide in trees?
Mar 30, 2022Belted Galloway cows
Sep 26, 2025Least chipmunk, Kootenai National Forest, Montana
Apr 2, 2024Beech trees and wild anemones, Jutland, Denmark
Apr 15, 2018The ‘Living Forest’ in Biscay, Spain
Aug 5, 2023Atlantic puffin, Iceland
Jul 7, 2019Traffic jam on the caribou highway
Mar 4, 2024Arenal Volcano, Costa Rica
Oct 9, 2021Birds of a feather
Sep 27, 2018High seas commerce
Nov 14, 2021First Cliff Walk
Apr 19, 2020Step into the dark
Mar 23, 2019What happened to these clouds?
Jan 19, 2023Sundance Film Festival opens in Park City
Nov 5, 2022Tigh Mor Trossachs on Loch Achray, Scotland
Aug 19, 2020Freeze frame