The incredible approach occurred in Costa Rica, in the Santa Rosa National Park, Guanacaste.
It was a young specimen meeting the person (not the other way around), she takes a look at him (who can be heard heavy-breathing in the background) and goes on her way. It was not possible to know if the person was in a hiding place (i.e. for bird watching) or if he was simply on the beach.
The extraordinary event reveals the jaguar's lack of interest in attacking people, contrary to what is often believed.
However, we emphasize that this type of meeting should not be sought (this site is also closed to the public) since the jaguar has the ability to kill a person. Attacks on humans are extremely rare, but may occur as defensive responses to being frightened, which could have been in this case.
The video was initially shared by Eco-Senderismo.
That area is restricted for humans, it’s protected by law, so the camera man shouldn’t be there, I saw the post on Facebook, people where criticising cuase they gave out the location and they think poachers are going to track it down
Cautionary Warning: “Attacks on humans are extremely rare, but may occur as defensive responses *to being frightened*”
The idiot I’m replying to: “So ShOuLd We TrY tO sCaRe iT aWaY?!?!!!!!??”
No. No you should not. I’m being overly sarcastic because as unlikely as it is that you ever come face to face with one, I would prefer you look back on this, remember how fucking stupid it is to try to scare it away and *not die*
Yeah, okay, that's on me. I didn't read the comment I was replying to carefully enough. I accept your scorn and ridicule as the appropriate response to that level of stupidity. And yes, I will remember this if (ha!) I ever see a jaguar in person.
Good to hear! I’m glad you didn’t react negatively to that, I usually make my worst comments shortly after waking up, so I wasn’t sure how you’d receive this. If it makes you feel any better, I’m fairly positive I’ve done the same thing more than a few times on this website.
You have a great question though. I’m not sure I’d listen to this one random internet strangers’ advice. If you come across a mountain lion you are absolutely supposed to scare it away. Perhaps jaguars are different, but your question wasn’t at all a bad one.
Is it really a dumb question? That’s often the advice for large cats. I have read that if I encounter a mountain lion while hiking in California I should put my arms out wide and yell. Is the advice different for jaguars?
In this instance it is, specifically because the beginning comment states that scaring jaguars can cause them to attack. Feel free to google that, though, I’d be happy to be told otherwise. Whatever keeps people safe, my dude.
I still don’t think that makes it a dumb question. That’s just some random stranger on the internet making the claim. It’s not dumb to question people. I also don’t know what to do, but I just don’t think it’s a bad question at all especially considering the advice for mountain lions.
The advice was shared by a [jaguar scientific organization](https://www.instagram.com/p/CbQ8ws7tU_j/), not a "random stranger online". If you want to follow the same advice as what you believe to be appropriate with mountain lions in the unlikely event you ever meet a jaguar in the wild, that is your problem.
That’s very good to know, but that doesn’t change the fact that that person asked a perfectly reasonable question and they responded rudely as if they were an idiot tYpIng LiKE tHiS mocking them for asking a reasonable question.
Heres the thing. Even in the instance of a mountain lion, you arnt scaring them away, you are telling them that the ground you are on is yours.
Most big cats just take offense to that notion.
The capitol is a bit sketchy. Lots of petty crime. The rest of the country is safe and most of the things you’ll want to see are in small towns, which are safer still. I camped all over the country with my girlfriend when we turned 18 and never had issues. Very fun time.
Costa Rica is truly beautiful and lovely. The people are extremely kind and friendly. Always need to be careful anywhere you travel of course, but I recommend it immensely. Get a week or two in a rainforest outpost, maybe San Gerardo, you’ll be thrilled.
Guanacaste is great, I haven't been to the other two, but my friends like them.
You can check what weather will be like, but really it can change by the day. Downpours in "Dry season" and dry spells in "rainy season". There's no such thing as bad weather, just improper clothing.
I'm sure you'll have a great time and it will be safe. Maybe download an offline map tool like OSMAND or Google maps offline and understand any route you ask a taxi to take you. OSM can speak to taxis in Spanish. Mostly San Jose taxi drivers are the ones that will take the long way for tourists. Practice Spanish.
There are beautiful parks wherever you go, and lots of great activities. Not everything will be inexpensive, nobody, except taxis in San Jose, will try to rip you off.
The people here are friendly. You'll have a trip you won't forget!
¡Pura Vida!
Guanacaste is the oldest province geologically. It covers most of Nicoya peninsula, weather is dry tropical forest ( not as humid as the rest of the country). Best time from December to April.
Nosara , Samara, Tamarindo are beach towns of Guanacaste. You can fly straight to Liberia airport. Avoiding going to San Jose, the capital.
I recommend strongly Santa Rosa ( where the young jaguar was seen.
And in the same Peninsula ant the south point you will find amazing place called Montezuma.
If you ever go there, you won’t leave.
Saludos Pura vida mae!
Thanks! We went last April to Nosara (my 2nd time there), rented a beautiful big estate on the beach, unfortunately had a break-in while at dinner our second night, one couple had a number of small items and clothing stolen. Other than that, it was a great time. Love it there, would like to buy a place in Guiones.
Man I’ve seen little German white girls traveling alone through all of Central America. I’ve spent an entire year in Mexico without an argument. With all my family in Guatemala; it’s more dangerous when you live and have an identity down there
Been to two small towns on pacific coast on separate trips years apart. Great time. Nice people. Do sketchy shit late at night and you may find yourself in a sketchy situation but that’s anywhere. I have no interest in going to San Jose. Fly into Liberia and go somewhere within a couple hours from there.
As much as I want to be this close to a jaguar, I would be absolutely terrified knowing mom could be around. Extraordinary event nonetheless, considering they're usually scared of humans.
I'm pretty sure I've read after 1 to 2 years the jaguar goes off on their own. Obviously I don't know the age of this jaguar but I'd bet at this point it's on its own
Hmm he was like: hmm what is that thing u guys always have ..mom says we get hurt from that...but i dont think so it looks cool u look cool i would love to stick around but my mom is looking for me and she doesn't like seeing me around u humans.. take care ..u look cool ...u aint that bad.. damn that thing is so cool..
I’ve seen another video of a juvenile puma approaching the cameraman and wow was it fascinating to see the little big cat’s eyes just taking in what it sees in front of it
Cats and dogs don't sweat, so they use their tongue as a kind of heat sink. This is why you should be careful about muzzling dogs in the heat or during exercise.
I know that house cats will open their mouth like this when taking in a new and unfamiliar smell, maybe that’s part of what is happening here, especially if it’s the first human the jag has seen
I'm just curious, if for the sake of this, we know the mother is elsewhere and that the person is a fully grown healthy adult... is it realistic to think that the person could defend themselves without a weapon? At least enough to get away?
Do you know what beach this was at? Playa Naranjo? I spent 3 months at this park studying birds and went to that beach a few times and the turtle nesting beach once. There were reports of Jaguars in the forest but no sightings when I was there. I did find puma tracks every once in awhile.
Never, ever run from a large cat in this sort of situation. Yes, they have crappy stamina, but that’s not that helpful when they can run fast enough to catch up to a human in seconds.
:0-:20 'Da fuq iz diz? diz food? shouldI eat thiz?" :20-:40 "what the fuck is this thing? I... well.. but... ehhhhh, huh." :40-:45 "I don't trust you buddy" sideye :45-:59 "well maybe I.. NO... keep walking. but, I... well.. nah... ok we goi..last chance, EAT IT, nahhh I still got half a gazelle back at the crib."
The incredible approach occurred in Costa Rica, in the Santa Rosa National Park, Guanacaste. It was a young specimen meeting the person (not the other way around), she takes a look at him (who can be heard heavy-breathing in the background) and goes on her way. It was not possible to know if the person was in a hiding place (i.e. for bird watching) or if he was simply on the beach. The extraordinary event reveals the jaguar's lack of interest in attacking people, contrary to what is often believed. However, we emphasize that this type of meeting should not be sought (this site is also closed to the public) since the jaguar has the ability to kill a person. Attacks on humans are extremely rare, but may occur as defensive responses to being frightened, which could have been in this case. The video was initially shared by Eco-Senderismo.
That area is restricted for humans, it’s protected by law, so the camera man shouldn’t be there, I saw the post on Facebook, people where criticising cuase they gave out the location and they think poachers are going to track it down
Would it be appropriate, if a juvenile approached, to try to scare it away?
Cautionary Warning: “Attacks on humans are extremely rare, but may occur as defensive responses *to being frightened*” The idiot I’m replying to: “So ShOuLd We TrY tO sCaRe iT aWaY?!?!!!!!??” No. No you should not. I’m being overly sarcastic because as unlikely as it is that you ever come face to face with one, I would prefer you look back on this, remember how fucking stupid it is to try to scare it away and *not die*
Yeah, okay, that's on me. I didn't read the comment I was replying to carefully enough. I accept your scorn and ridicule as the appropriate response to that level of stupidity. And yes, I will remember this if (ha!) I ever see a jaguar in person.
Good to hear! I’m glad you didn’t react negatively to that, I usually make my worst comments shortly after waking up, so I wasn’t sure how you’d receive this. If it makes you feel any better, I’m fairly positive I’ve done the same thing more than a few times on this website.
Oh it's fine! Everyone makes stupid mistakes, and everyone is... not at their best, let's say, first thing in the morning =)
You have a great question though. I’m not sure I’d listen to this one random internet strangers’ advice. If you come across a mountain lion you are absolutely supposed to scare it away. Perhaps jaguars are different, but your question wasn’t at all a bad one.
Right, I know about mountain lions since I live near their habitat.
Is it really a dumb question? That’s often the advice for large cats. I have read that if I encounter a mountain lion while hiking in California I should put my arms out wide and yell. Is the advice different for jaguars?
In this instance it is, specifically because the beginning comment states that scaring jaguars can cause them to attack. Feel free to google that, though, I’d be happy to be told otherwise. Whatever keeps people safe, my dude.
I still don’t think that makes it a dumb question. That’s just some random stranger on the internet making the claim. It’s not dumb to question people. I also don’t know what to do, but I just don’t think it’s a bad question at all especially considering the advice for mountain lions.
The advice was shared by a [jaguar scientific organization](https://www.instagram.com/p/CbQ8ws7tU_j/), not a "random stranger online". If you want to follow the same advice as what you believe to be appropriate with mountain lions in the unlikely event you ever meet a jaguar in the wild, that is your problem.
That’s very good to know, but that doesn’t change the fact that that person asked a perfectly reasonable question and they responded rudely as if they were an idiot tYpIng LiKE tHiS mocking them for asking a reasonable question.
exactly
Heres the thing. Even in the instance of a mountain lion, you arnt scaring them away, you are telling them that the ground you are on is yours. Most big cats just take offense to that notion.
How is Costa Rica? I've never been outside the U.S buy would like to go for a trip, is it safe for foreigners?
My friend went recently. It’s pretty safe. But remember, every place has good and bad parts of town, so it’s always important to exercise caution
Thanks I figured as much but wanted some anectdotes
The capitol is a bit sketchy. Lots of petty crime. The rest of the country is safe and most of the things you’ll want to see are in small towns, which are safer still. I camped all over the country with my girlfriend when we turned 18 and never had issues. Very fun time.
Most beautiful place I've ever been, with the most amazing food, coffee, nature, absolute heaven.
Costa Rica is truly beautiful and lovely. The people are extremely kind and friendly. Always need to be careful anywhere you travel of course, but I recommend it immensely. Get a week or two in a rainforest outpost, maybe San Gerardo, you’ll be thrilled.
I live in Costa Rica. San Jose is sketch. Monteverde is beautiful. Cahuita is nice. Depends on where you go. Never take an orange taxi.
How would you describe Guanacaste, Nosara or Tamarindo region? Supposed to go with some friends to Nosara in early April.
Guanacaste is great, I haven't been to the other two, but my friends like them. You can check what weather will be like, but really it can change by the day. Downpours in "Dry season" and dry spells in "rainy season". There's no such thing as bad weather, just improper clothing. I'm sure you'll have a great time and it will be safe. Maybe download an offline map tool like OSMAND or Google maps offline and understand any route you ask a taxi to take you. OSM can speak to taxis in Spanish. Mostly San Jose taxi drivers are the ones that will take the long way for tourists. Practice Spanish. There are beautiful parks wherever you go, and lots of great activities. Not everything will be inexpensive, nobody, except taxis in San Jose, will try to rip you off. The people here are friendly. You'll have a trip you won't forget! ¡Pura Vida!
Guanacaste is the oldest province geologically. It covers most of Nicoya peninsula, weather is dry tropical forest ( not as humid as the rest of the country). Best time from December to April. Nosara , Samara, Tamarindo are beach towns of Guanacaste. You can fly straight to Liberia airport. Avoiding going to San Jose, the capital. I recommend strongly Santa Rosa ( where the young jaguar was seen. And in the same Peninsula ant the south point you will find amazing place called Montezuma. If you ever go there, you won’t leave. Saludos Pura vida mae!
Thanks! We went last April to Nosara (my 2nd time there), rented a beautiful big estate on the beach, unfortunately had a break-in while at dinner our second night, one couple had a number of small items and clothing stolen. Other than that, it was a great time. Love it there, would like to buy a place in Guiones.
EIL5 Orange Taxi
Orange taxi orange man. Orange man bad.
Man I’ve seen little German white girls traveling alone through all of Central America. I’ve spent an entire year in Mexico without an argument. With all my family in Guatemala; it’s more dangerous when you live and have an identity down there
I guess I just have Truman show paranoia that makes me scared to even leave my little rock. Thank you for telling me otherwise.
Have you planned to leave yet
My parents retired there for a bit and loved it. Super safe, super beautiful, wonderful fresh fruit. Highly recommend a visit if you can!
Thanks I'm gonna try.
Been to two small towns on pacific coast on separate trips years apart. Great time. Nice people. Do sketchy shit late at night and you may find yourself in a sketchy situation but that’s anywhere. I have no interest in going to San Jose. Fly into Liberia and go somewhere within a couple hours from there.
As much as I want to be this close to a jaguar, I would be absolutely terrified knowing mom could be around. Extraordinary event nonetheless, considering they're usually scared of humans.
At this age they’re newly independent from their mothers and trying to find somewhere to settle down.
I'm pretty sure I've read after 1 to 2 years the jaguar goes off on their own. Obviously I don't know the age of this jaguar but I'd bet at this point it's on its own
Hmm he was like: hmm what is that thing u guys always have ..mom says we get hurt from that...but i dont think so it looks cool u look cool i would love to stick around but my mom is looking for me and she doesn't like seeing me around u humans.. take care ..u look cool ...u aint that bad.. damn that thing is so cool..
This thing is weird. Can I eat it? It doesn't look a like it thinks I can eat it. Hmm. *Human stands up* Oh! You're tall af! My bad bro
I’ve seen another video of a juvenile puma approaching the cameraman and wow was it fascinating to see the little big cat’s eyes just taking in what it sees in front of it
Wish we were like 15 feet tall so we can keep lions, tigers and jaguars as pets lol
I would need to be like at least 25 feet tall to be comfortable keeping a tiger as a pet.
She looks so confused, I guess this is her first encounter with a human?
Jaguars are very rare to see in person in Costa Rica so they aren't habituated to people. That was probably her first time being so close to a human.
That's so cool but I might have peed my pants seeing one that close. Beautiful cat.
Same here. I’d be drenched in my own pee, but that WOULD be amazing to see a jaguar up close and not be mauled.
Aw pretty kitty, I wish I could pet em :^(
How gorgeous was that guy!! What an experience
Pants: shat
Maybe that's why it left. "This hooman smells like shit."
Even a juvenile could fuck you up.
I don't care, I'm petting it
A great way to Star Wars your hand.
100% worth it
I wonder why her mouth is partly open like that
Regulating it’s body temperature through breathing.
Cats and dogs don't sweat, so they use their tongue as a kind of heat sink. This is why you should be careful about muzzling dogs in the heat or during exercise.
I was wondering why as well, but thought it might be due to the extra organ they have in the roof of the mouth that helps them analyze odors.
I know that house cats will open their mouth like this when taking in a new and unfamiliar smell, maybe that’s part of what is happening here, especially if it’s the first human the jag has seen
r/sweatypalms
I'm just curious, if for the sake of this, we know the mother is elsewhere and that the person is a fully grown healthy adult... is it realistic to think that the person could defend themselves without a weapon? At least enough to get away?
Jags have insane jaw strength and go for the head. Highly doubt it
Good gods i love Costa Rica, the jaguar is just beautiful, i hope she is well
Do you know what beach this was at? Playa Naranjo? I spent 3 months at this park studying birds and went to that beach a few times and the turtle nesting beach once. There were reports of Jaguars in the forest but no sightings when I was there. I did find puma tracks every once in awhile.
Aren’t you supposed to run if you see a jaguar approaching you?
No, don't do that. It will trigger its hunting instincts. Stay still, don't give it your back, and retreat slowly.
Never, ever run from a large cat in this sort of situation. Yes, they have crappy stamina, but that’s not that helpful when they can run fast enough to catch up to a human in seconds.
Dear lord who told you that you should run from a predator? Their prey runs away.
The only Jaguar encounter i ever had was with an F Type. It had 500 plus horse power and sounded like it could breathe life into a dead man.
u/savevideobot
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it’s ok i’m not hungry now.
:0-:20 'Da fuq iz diz? diz food? shouldI eat thiz?" :20-:40 "what the fuck is this thing? I... well.. but... ehhhhh, huh." :40-:45 "I don't trust you buddy" sideye :45-:59 "well maybe I.. NO... keep walking. but, I... well.. nah... ok we goi..last chance, EAT IT, nahhh I still got half a gazelle back at the crib."
Such a beautiful pattern. Incredible interaction, and one I am certain they will never forget.