Sleek, powerful, and elusive, jaguars stalk the Americas. Their mesmerizing gaze and hunting prowess have earned them a prominent place in mythology and legend. Their beauty, strength, and adaptability have earned them the respect of feline admirers. Because their fur color and markings are similar, jaguars are often mistaken for leopards. The difference is that leopards hail from Africa and Asia, while jaguars are all American (North, Central, and South American). Most jaguars have tawny-colored fur with black rosettes, but some have black-on-black, or melanistic, coloration.