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Narrator: AMONG THE DOMESTIC ANIMALS OF THE EARTH,

THE CAT HAS LONG BEEN MAN'S FRIEND AND COMPANION.

THE ASSOCIATION IS AN OLD AND HONORED ONE,

REFLECTED IN THE ART OF ANCIENT CULTURES

AND THE SYMBOLS OF LONG-FORGOTTEN DYNASTIES.

YET FOR ALL ITS TIME IN CIVILIZED CIRCLES,

THE CAT HAS NEVER COMPLETELY GIVEN UP ITS WILDERNESS WAYS.

GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY,

THE TAME CAT WILL INEVITABLY REVERT TO TYPE

AND BECOME AGAIN THE STEALTHY HUNTER.

THOUGH IT MAY HAVE FORGOTTEN THE OLD TECHNIQUES

FROM LACK OF PRACTICE,

ITS NATURAL INSTINCTS REMAIN UNCHANGED.

AND FOR THE DOMESTIC CAT,

THERE'S ALWAYS HUMAN HOSPITALITY TO FALL BACK ON

IN CASE OF FAILURE.

FOR ITS WILD COUSINS, HOWEVER,

THERE'S NO BOWL OF MILK AT THE END OF THE TRAIL.

OUT OF NECESSITY, THE CATS OF THE WILDERNESS

MUST FEND FOR THEMSELVES.

THUS, THEIR TALENTS AS HUNTERS

ARE SHARPENED TO THE HIGHEST DEGREE.

AND ON THIS COMMON GROUND, ALL CATS ARE ALIKE.

THE TIGER, FOR ONE,

IS MERELY THE TABBY CAT DRAWN LARGER THAN LIFE.

IT MOVES WITH THE SAME GRACE

AND HUNTS ITS PREY WITH THE SAME CALCULATED CUNNING.

IT'S PERHAPS BECAUSE HE HAS NEVER DOMINATED THIS SPECIES

THAT MAN HAS ALWAYS REGARDED THE CATS

WITH ADMIRATION AND RESPECT.

FOR AS LONG AS HUMAN HISTORY HAS BEEN RECORDED,

HE HAS HONORED THE GREATEST OF CATS, THE LION.

IN THE CULTURE OF EVERY ANCIENT CIVILIZATION,

THIS ANIMAL HAS SERVED AS A SYMBOL OF ROYALTY AND POWER.

IN THE REALM OF NATURE,

THE LIVING LION WALKS IN LORDLY SPLENDOR,

A TRUE KING OF BEASTS.

ALMOST ANY OF THE GREAT CATS COULD WEAR THE LION'S CROWN,

FOR ALL ARE NOTED FOR THEIR COURAGE,

THEIR INTELLIGENCE, AND THEIR POWER.

IN ALL THE ANIMAL KINGDOM, THERE EXIST NO BETTER HUNTERS.

AS A STALKER OF PREY, THE CHEETAH IS WITHOUT PEER.

IN ANCIENT EGYPT,

THIS BEAST WAS ACTUALLY TRAINED FOR THE HUNT.

THE CHEETAH IS A DOCILE CREATURE.

IN FACT, IT COULD ALMOST BE TAKEN FOR A DOG

AND, LIKE THE GREYHOUND IT RESEMBLES,

LITERALLY RUNS ITS QUARRY TO EARTH.

AT THE MOMENT OF THE KILL, HOWEVER,

THE CHEETAH BECOMES COMPLETELY THE CAT

AND COULD NEVER BE MISTAKEN FOR ANYTHING ELSE.

THE LEOPARD IS ANOTHER TO BE RECKONED WITH.

HERE IS A KILLER BOTH WANTON AND RUTHLESS --

THE EXECUTIONER OF THE AFRICAN PLAIN.

THE GREAT CATS OF THE WORLD ARE A POWERFUL FORCE IN NATURE.

IT WOULD SEEM TO BE THEIR FUNCTION

TO PURGE ALL OTHER SPECIES OF WEAKLINGS,

AND IN SUCH A ROLE, THEY'RE KNOWN ON EVERY CONTINENT.

IN NORTH AMERICA, THE RULING MEMBER OF THE TRIBE

IS THE COUGAR, OR MOUNTAIN LION.

HERE IS A HUNTER WITH A PRICE ON HIS HEAD.

ELUSIVE AND MYSTERIOUS IN HIS HABITS,

THE COUGAR LIVES BY HIS WITS

AND SOMEHOW SURVIVES JUST BECAUSE HE IS A CAT --

SELF-RELIANT, RESOURCEFUL, AND CLEVER.

BUT OF ALL THESE STALKERS OF PREY,

THE ONE THAT IS THE MOST UNIQUE IS THE CAT OF SOUTH AMERICA --

THE JAGUAR.

THIS IS THE JUNGLE CAT.

HERE IS THE QUINTESSENCE

OF ALL THAT GOES TO MAKE UP A TRUE CAT.

FOR GRACE AND BEAUTY, FOR PERSEVERANCE AND POWER,

THE JAGUAR WILL HOLD ITS OWN WITH ALL OTHERS OF ITS KIND.

THE JUNGLE CAT LIVES DEEP IN THE RAIN FORESTS OF BRAZIL.

IT ROAMS THE VAST AMAZON BASIN,

HALF A CONTINENT COVERED WITH TANGLED VEGETATION.

ITS SECRET DOMAIN IS THE SCENE OF OUR TRUE-LIFE ADVENTURE,

AND ITS PREDATORY HABITS -- OUR THEME.

FOR THIS IS THE STORY

OF THE GREATEST HUNTER OF THEM ALL.

THOUGH THE TREETOP RESIDENTS ARE RELATIVELY SAFE,

THE CREATURES LIVING ON THE FOREST FLOOR

MUST KEEP FOREVER ON THE ALERT.

AMONG THESE, THE TINY RODENTS CALLED THE PACAS

TEND TO SUFFER THE GREATEST LOSSES.

THEIR NUMBER IS ALMOST CONSTANTLY DWINDLING,

FOR IN THE VERY NATURE OF THINGS HERE,

THE PACA IS TO THE JAGUAR

WHAT THE ORDINARY MOUSE IS TO THE ORDINARY CAT --

FAIR GAME ALWAYS.

WITH EVERY KILL THE JAGUAR MAKES,

THE MONKEYS CALL HER NAMES...

FROM A SAFE DISTANCE, NATURALLY.

AND THE MACAWS HURL DOWN THEIR OWN KIND OF EPITHETS.

BUT THE GREAT CAT GOES ABOUT HER DEADLY BUSINESS

UNMOVED AND UNDISTURBED.

HERS IS A CAREER OF ASSASSINATION,

AND SHE MAKES NO PRETENSE THAT IT SHOULD BE OTHERWISE.

THE JAGUARS LIVE IN THE LARGEST JUNGLE ON EARTH.

IT IS IMPASSABLE AND IMPENETRABLE --

A NATURAL BARRIER TO MAN AND ALL HIS WORKS.

AND SO IT REMAINS

THE JUNGLE CAT'S EXCLUSIVE DOMAIN.

APPROXIMATELY 300,000 SPECIES OF PLANTS GROW HERE,

MORE THAN IN ANY OTHER LOCALE.

RAIN FALLS NEARLY EVERY DAY OF THE YEAR.

IN FACT, IT'S MEASURED IN FEET RATHER THAN INCHES.

AND THIS ACCOUNTS FOR THE LUXURIANCE OF THE VEGETATION.

THIS IS A TRUE RAIN FOREST.

ITS PECULIAR CHARACTERISTIC

IS THAT EVERYTHING GROWS TO EXTRAORDINARY SIZE.

THE PALM TREES SHOOT UP HUNDREDS OF FEET INTO THE AIR,

TOWERING ABOVE EVERYTHING ELSE.

PLANTS THAT ARE TECHNICALLY VIOLETS

GROW LARGE AS APPLE TREES.

AND A SPECIES OF ROSE ATTAINS A HEIGHT OF 150 FEET.

THE VINES ARE AS THICK AS TREE TRUNKS,

AND THE WILDFLOWERS SPRINGING UP ON EVERY SIDE

ARE OVERSIZED ORCHIDS.

IN THIS NATURAL HOTHOUSE, THEY APPEAR EVERYWHERE --

AN ENDLESS PROFUSION OF EXOTIC SHAPES AND COLORS.

IN QUIET BAYOUS, THE LILY PADS GROW BIG AS TABLETOPS,

COVERING THE WATERS WITH A STRANGE GREEN FLOOR.

THIS IS A LAND CRISSCROSSED WITH THOUSANDS OF NAMELESS STREAMS.

ALMOST HIDDEN BY THE OVERHANGING FOLIAGE,

THEY GO THEIR WAY UNEXPLORED, UNKNOWN,

AND UNRECORDED ON ANY MAP.

ONLY THOSE THAT CAN QUALIFY AS MAJOR RIVERS

ENJOY THE DISTINCTION OF A NAME.

AND SOME, LIKE THE IGUAçú RIVER,

CREATE SPECTACULAR WATERFALLS.

THESE ARE THE CATARACTS OF THE IGUAçú

ON THE BORDER BETWEEN BRAZIL AND ARGENTINA.

ITS PANORAMA IS WORLD-FAMED

AND ON A SCALE TO MATCH ANY ON EARTH.

ON APPROACHING A BRINK OF THE CHASM,

THESE WATERS PLUNGE 200 FEET

INTO THE MIST-FILLED GORGE BELOW.

THE IGUAçú GOES ITS WAY

INDEPENDENT OF THE MAIN SYSTEM OF STREAMS,

BUT MOST OTHER BRAZILIAN RIVERS FORM A VAST NETWORK

THAT DRAINS THE HEART OF THE JUNGLE CAT'S DOMAIN.

TRIBUTARIES LIKE THE MADEIRA,

THE TAPAJOS, THE XINGU, THE BRANCO

ALL COMBINE THEIR CURRENTS

TO CREATE THE MIGHTIEST RIVER OF ALL -- THE AMAZON.

WHERE THE RíO NEGRO JOINS THE AMAZON,

THE TWO RIVERS REMAIN IN SUSPENDED DEADLOCK

FOR A CONSIDERABLE DISTANCE DOWNSTREAM.

SO POWERFUL IS THE AMAZON'S FLOW,

SO THICK IS THE INCOMING SILT

THAT THE TWO CURRENTS WILL NOT IMMEDIATELY BLEND.

4,000 MILES IN LENGTH

AND SOME 200 MILES WIDE AT ITS MOUTH,

THE AMAZON CARRIES MORE WATER TO THE SEA

THAN ANY OTHER RIVER IN THE WORLD.

AT CERTAIN TIMES OF THE YEAR,

IT ALSO OVERRUNS THE LAND AND CREATES A SCENE OF FLOOD

REACHING AS FAR AS THE EYE CAN SEE.

ALONG THE AMAZON'S COURSE,

THERE IS A TEEMING AND COLORFUL VARIETY OF LIFE --

MAMMALS AND BIRDS AND REPTILES AMONG THE STRANGEST IN NATURE.

THIS BEING THE JUNGLE, MONKEYS ARE EVERYWHERE.

INDEED, IT WOULD HARDLY SEEM A JUNGLE WITHOUT THEM.

BUT IN ADDITION TO THESE, THERE ARE GIANT-SIZED LIZARDS

THAT SEEM A THROWBACK TO A PREHISTORIC PAST.

THEN THERE ARE THE WEIRD BIRDS, CREATURES OUT OF A FANTASY...

SUCH IS THE TOUCAN,

WHOSE BILL RESEMBLES THE CLAWS OF AN OVERSIZED LOBSTER --

STRANGE EQUIPMENT INDEED FOR THE DAINTY FRUITS HE FAVORS.

THIS JUNGLE LOCALE TEEMS WITH PARROTS

TO THE NUMBER OF 100 DIFFERENT SPECIES.

MOST OF THEM DRESS IN SHADES OF GREEN,

PREFERRING TO BLEND WITH THEIR SURROUNDINGS.

BUT HERE ARE BIRDS OF QUITE A DIFFERENT FEATHER.

THESE ARE THE MACAWS,

CLOTHES-CONSCIOUS COUSINS OF THE PARROTS,

WHO LIKE TO STAND OUT IN ALL THEIR FLAMBOYANT BEAUTY.

PERHAPS THE MOST BRILLIANT PLUMAGE OF ALL

BELONGS TO THE IBIS FAMILY.

THESE ARE THE SCARLET IBIS,

DEBONAIR MEMBERS OF THE STORK CLAN.

THEY FEED IN UNDISTURBED SOLITUDE

ALONG THESE HIDDEN BACKWATERS.

THE RIVER SWARMS WITH FISH AND THE CATCHERS OF FISH,

BUT NONE SO UNORTHODOX AS THE SKIMMER.

THIS BIRD'S APPROACH TO THE PROBLEM

IS INDEED A STRANGE ONE.

HE HOPES TO MAKE A CATCH

WITHOUT EVER TOUCHING DOWN ON THE SURFACE.

THERE ARE JUST TWO THINGS HE MUST BE CAREFUL ABOUT --

SUBMERGED LOGS AND SUBMERGED CROCODILES.

THE SOUTH AMERICAN VERSION OF THE CROCODILE

IS CALLED THE JACARE, OR SOMETIMES THE CAIMAN.

IT'S A DISTINCT SPECIES

PECULIAR TO THIS PART OF THE WORLD.

BUT IT REMAINS A TYPICAL CROCODILE

IN ITS VORACIOUS HABIT OF EATING ALMOST ANYTHING.

SOMETIMES, BIRD AND REPTILE

MINGLE IN RATHER STARTLING PROXIMITY.

EACH SEEMS TO KNOW THE LIMIT OF THE OTHER'S ABILITIES

AND JUST HOW FAR TO GO WITH THE LAWS OF CHANCE.

THE WISER AMONG THE EGRETS, HOWEVER,

WILL RETURN TO ITS OWN ELEMENT AND TAKE ITSELF ELSEWHERE

WHEN JACARES ARE KNOWN TO BE AROUND.

THE PANIC OF A SINGLE BIRD

WILL SOMETIMES SET OFF A CHAIN REACTION,

FOR NONE CAN TELL

WHEN THE JACARE WILL BID FOR ITS VICTIM.

WHEN THE FLAMINGOS TAKE TO THE SKY,

THE RESULTING PANORAMA

CAN BE CURIOUSLY BEAUTIFUL AND IMPRESSIVE.

THIS, THEN, IS THE WORLD OF THE JUNGLE CAT.

IN A WAY, IT'S A PRIMEVAL GARDEN OF EDEN,

COMPLETE WITH SERPENT.

IT'S A STRANGE AND EERIE WORLD --

A WORLD OF PARADOX --

WHERE PLENTY PREVAILS YET HUNGER STALKS.

HERE, LIFE IS HECTIC,

FIERCELY COMPETITIVE, EXCITING, AND GRIM.

FOR THIS, WE MUST REMEMBER, IS THE JUNGLE --

RAW AND UNTAMED,

WHERE ALL ARE RULED BY THE LAW OF FANG AND CLAW.

LIKE ALL THE CATS, JAGUARS ARE ALOOF AND INDEPENDENT

AND GENERALLY PREFER TO TRAVEL ALONE.

AND SINCE THEY ARE NOMADS BY HABIT,

THEIR ROAMING OFTEN TAKES THEM

OVER SEVERAL HUNDRED SQUARE MILES OF TERRITORY.

IN THE COURSE OF THEIR PATROLS,

THEY COME TO ADOPT A CERTAIN HUNTING GROUND AS THEIR OWN

AND BITTERLY RESENT THE INTRUSION OF OTHER JAGUARS.

AND SO WHEN AN ACCIDENTAL MEETING OCCURS

WITHOUT PROPER INTRODUCTION AND PRESENTATION OF CREDENTIALS,

THERE'S SURE TO BE A FIGHT.

A BATTLE BETWEEN THESE CATS,

EACH WEIGHING IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD OF 200 POUNDS,

IS A SAVAGE AND VICIOUS AFFAIR.

HAVING DISPOSED OF HER ENEMY,

THE JUNGLE CAT TAKES A MOMENT'S REST.

IT WAS A LIVELY TUSSLE WHILE IT LASTED,

BUT, FORTUNATELY, SHE'S MANAGED TO GET THROUGH

WITHOUT PERMANENT DAMAGE.

SUDDENLY, A THIRD JAGUAR APPEARS.

YES, THIS IS A JAGUAR,

EVEN THOUGH ITS COAT IS AS DARK AS THE JUNGLE NIGHT.

UNUSUAL AS HE MAY APPEAR,

A BLACK SPECIMEN SUCH AS THIS IS NOT ACTUALLY RARE.

IF HE'S UNCOMMON AT ALL,

IT'S IN THE FACT THAT HE'S UNCOMMONLY HANDSOME.

THIS FELLOW IS A HUGE MALE, AND TO JUDGE FROM HIS ATTITUDE,

HE COULD WELL BE THE ONE TO TAKE OVER THIS TERRITORY.

275 POUNDS OF FIGHTING TRIM.

THIS TIME IT APPEARS

THE JUNGLE'S MISTRESS MAY HAVE MET HER MATCH.

BUT AS THE BATTLE PROGRESSES,

THE ATTITUDE OF THE BELLIGERENTS BEGINS TO CHANGE.

IN A MOMENT,

IT'S CLEAR THAT WHAT BEGAN AS AN ALL-OUT ARGUMENT

HAS TURNED INTO A ROMANTIC LOVE SPAT.

IT SEEMS THESE TWO AREN'T MAD AT EACH OTHER AT ALL.

THIS IS A SORT OF ROUGH-AND-TUMBLE COURTSHIP,

THE KIND THAT CATS THRIVE ON.

AND SO, EACH WOOED AND WON IN THE PROPER JUNGLE FASHION,

THE HANDSOME PAIR AGREES TO TRAVEL THROUGH LIFE TOGETHER.

TIME HAS PASSED -- 100 DAYS, TO BE EXACT.

AND NOW OUR JUNGLE MISTRESS FINDS HERSELF A MOTHER

WITH A FAMILY TO CARE FOR.

THE TWO KITTENS ARE SMALL IMAGES OF THEIR PARENTS --

ONE RESEMBLING ITS FATHER

AND THE OTHER AN IDENTICAL REPRODUCTION OF ITS MOTHER

IN MINIATURE.

ALTHOUGH THE JUNGLE WAY CAN BE INCREDIBLY HARSH AT TIMES,

THERE ARE THESE MOMENTS WHEN LIFE HAS ITS LIGHTER SIDE.

AND ON OCCASIONS SUCH AS THIS,

THE JUNGLE CAT IS CAPABLE OF GENTLENESS

AND UNENDING PATIENCE.

NOW SHE'S COMPANION, PROTECTOR, AND TEACHER,

DEDICATED TO THE WELFARE OF HER YOUNG.

FROM THE BEGINNING, THE JAGUAR KITTEN IS ALL CAT,

VERY EARLY DISPLAYING THE CURIOSITY THAT MARKS HIS KIND.

HE'S SUREFOOTED, TOO,

OR TRIES TO BE TO THE BEST OF HIS ABILITY,

AND RATHER ABHORS THE IDEA OF FALLING INTO THE CREEK.

HE DOESN'T KNOW IT YET, BUT HE'S GOING TO HAVE TO GET USED TO WATER,

FOR, SOONER OR LATER, EVERY CREATURE OF THE JUNGLE

MUST LEARN TO SWIM.

UNLIKE MOST CATS, THE JAGUARS DON'T MIND THE WATER --

IN FACT, ALMOST SEEM TO ENJOY IT.

AND THE MOTHER CAT IS ANXIOUS

THAT HER YOUNGSTERS LEARN TO LIKE IT EARLY.

AND SO SHE SPENDS MANY PLEASANT HOURS WITH THEM

AT THE SWIMMING HOLE.

THESE HIDDEN STREAMS ARE THE PLAYGROUND

OF MANY A JUNGLE RESIDENT,

BUT NONE SEEMS TO GET QUITE AS MUCH KICK OUT OF LIFE

AS THIS CAREFREE CREATURE.

THIS IS THE SOUTH AMERICAN OTTER.

HE CRUISES THESE MYSTERIOUS BACKWATERS SEEKING ADVENTURE,

TAKING AN OCCASIONAL FISH,

GOING OUT OF HIS WAY TO HAVE FUN.

AN OTTER IS AN OTTER NO MATTER WHERE YOU FIND HIM.

AND TRUE TO TYPE, THIS ONE LOVES TO PLAY.

IT DOESN'T MUCH MATTER WITH WHOM.

HE'LL EVEN HECKLE SUCH STOLID FELLOWS AS THE CAPYBARA.

IN GENERAL DISPOSITION,

THE CAPYBARA IS THE OTTER'S EXACT OPPOSITE.

AS A PLAYMATE, HE'S PRETTY MUCH A STICK-IN-THE-MUD --

SOBER, SLOW-MOVING, AND QUITE WITHOUT IMAGINATION.

HE'S THE WORLD'S LARGEST RODENT,

A COUSIN OF THE NORTH AMERICAN BEAVER,

BUT WITHOUT ANY OF THE BEAVER'S TALENT

AS A CONSTRUCTION ENGINEER.

TO THE CAPYBARA, PLAY MEANS GOING OFF BY HIMSELF

AND QUIETLY MUNCHING WATER PLANTS.

AN OTTER MUST WORK OFF HIS SUPERCHARGED ENERGY SOMEHOW,

AND, IF NECESSARY, HE'LL INVENT GAMES HE CAN PLAY BY HIMSELF.

FOR INSTANCE, THERE'S A SORT OF "HE WENT THATAWAY" AFFAIR

THAT INVOLVES CHASING HIS OWN TAIL.

IF HE CAN FIND A JUNGLE VINE HANGING LOW OVER THE WATER,

HE MAKES UP A TRAPEZE ROUTINE

THAT CAN GO ON FOR AN ENTIRE MORNING.

SUDDENLY, HE'S INTERRUPTED BY A STRANGE SOUND.

IT SEEMS TO BE COMING FROM SOME KING-SIZED FISH

WITH A CASE OF KING-SIZED HICCUPS.

THESE ARE AN AIR-GULPING SPECIES CALLED THE PIRARUCU.

THEY SWALLOW AIR PERIODICALLY

AND EXPEL IT THROUGH THEIR GILLS,

AND THEIR BELCHING CAN BE HEARD FOR ALMOST A MILE.

HERE'S SOMETHING TO AMUSE A BORED OTTER --

A BURPING FISH.

AN OLD HAND AT PURSUING FISHES,

HE'S INTRIGUED JUST ON GENERAL PRINCIPLES.

HE DISCOVERS, HOWEVER,

THAT THESE ARE TWICE AS BIG AS HE IS.

THE PIRARUCU ARE RELATED TO THE SALMON AND THE HERRING,

AND THEY GROW TO SIX AND SEVEN FEET IN LENGTH.

SOMETIMES AS A RESULT OF THE FLOODS,

THEY GET TRAPPED IN THESE LANDLOCKED POOLS

AND FIND THEIR SWIMMING SPACE RATHER CRAMPED,

ESPECIALLY WHEN THEY MUST SHARE IT WITH A MISCHIEVOUS OTTER.

NOW THERE COMES ON THE SCENE A TRUE FANCIER OF FRESH FISH,

AND HE MAY JUST BE BIG ENOUGH

TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THESE MONSTERS.

FIRST HE TRIES THE STANDARD APPROACH --

POKING AT THEM WITH HIS PAW, LOOKING FOR ALL THE WORLD

LIKE AN OVERSIZED KITTEN BESIDE A GOLDFISH POND.

BUT IF YOU'RE REALLY OUT TO CATCH A FISH,

YOU'VE GOT TO BE PREPARED TO...CATCH IT.

SEVEN-FOOT FISH VERSUS EIGHT-FOOT JAGUAR.

FOR A WHILE, IT'S ALMOST AN EVEN TUSSLE.

WHATEVER THE PRIZE -- FISH, FOUL, OR FLESH --

THE JAGUAR'S NOT ONE TO GIVE UP.

HE PURSUES AND PURSUES AND, ABOVE ALL, PERSISTS.

AND SO IN THE END,

THE EXHAUSTED PIRARUCU IS OVERPOWERED

TO BECOME A FINE FISH DINNER FOR THE JUNGLE CAT'S FAMILY.

AS THE DAYS GO BY IN LAZY SUCCESSION,

THE JUNIOR JUNGLE CATS GROW A LITTLE BOLDER,

A LITTLE MORE INDEPENDENT,

AND SOON THEY'RE READY TO DO A LITTLE HUNTING ON THEIR OWN.

BY NOW, THEY'VE BEEN WEANED AND ARE READY FOR A MEAT DIET.

THESE KITTENS TAKE TO THE ART OF THE CHASE NATURALLY.

IT ALL COMES INSTINCTIVELY, FOR WITH THESE LITTLE FELLOWS,

HUNTING IS IN THE BLOOD.

AS WITH ALL CATS,

BIRDS SEEM TO HAVE A STRANGE FASCINATION FOR THEM,

ESPECIALLY THESE GAILY COLORED BIRDS OF THE JUNGLE.

WHEN THEY DISCOVER A FLOCK OF PARAKEETS,

THEY FIGURE THEY'VE STRUCK IT RICH.

WITH ALL THESE TO TRY FOR, THEY CAN HARDLY MISS.

BUT THE LEADER OF THE EXPEDITION COMMITS A SLIGHT ERROR.

WELL, MISTAKE NUMBER ONE.

BUT THAT'S HOW YOU LEARN, APPARENTLY,

AND SO THEY PUSH ON.

HERE'S A LITTLE FELLOW ABOUT THEIR OWN AGE

AND APPARENTLY AS NEW TO THE WAYS OF THE WORLD.

FROM THE LOOKS OF THINGS,

HE'S TRYING TO MAKE HIS FIRST MISTAKE, TOO.

IF HE LETS GO NOW, THE KITTENS BELOW

ARE ALMOST CERTAIN TO CATCH HIM ON THE FIRST BOUNCE.

FINALLY, MOTHER ARRIVES, AND NOT A SECOND TOO SOON.

IN FACT, IN HER EXCITEMENT,

SHE ALMOST DROPS THE BABY HERSELF.

THIS BUSINESS OF CATCHING SOMETHING

TURNS OUT TO BE HARDER THAN THEY THOUGHT.

ALREADY, THEIR FEET HURT. THEY'RE HOT AND TIRED.

AND, FINALLY, THEY DECIDE TO LEAVE IT ALL TO FATHER.

THEY'LL REST AWHILE

AND LET HIM BRING SOMETHING HOME LATER.

NOW THAT THERE'S A FAMILY TO SUPPORT,

THE PARENTS HUNT AS A TEAM.

IF ONE JAGUAR IS DEADLY,

IT NATURALLY FOLLOWS THAT TWO CAN BE QUITE DISASTROUS.

THEIR FAVORITE PREY,

THE CREATURE THEY'RE ALMOST CONSTANTLY SEEKING,

IS THIS ANIMAL CALLED THE TAPIR.

THE TAPIR IS A RELATIVE OF THE RHINOCEROS

AND A DISTANT COUSIN OF THE HORSE.

FROM THE LOOKS OF THAT SNOUT,

HE COULD EVEN HAVE A BIT OF ELEPHANT MIXED IN

SOMEWHERE ALONG THE LINE.

HE'S THE COMPLETE VEGETARIAN AND PERFECTLY HARMLESS.

BUT IT'S JUST BECAUSE HE DOES FEED WELL AND GROWS FAT

THAT HE'S SUCH A TEMPTATION TO THE JUNGLE CATS.

FULL-GROWN, HE'S ABOUT THE SIZE OF A SMALL DONKEY,

WEIGHING FROM 500 TO 700 POUNDS.

AND TO THE CAT FAMILY,

HE REPRESENTS A FEAST THAT MAY WELL LAST A WEEK.

THE TAPIRS SPEND CONSIDERABLE TIME

KEEPING COOL IN THEIR FAVORITE WATER HOLES.

KNOWING THIS, THE JAGUARS MAKE A DAILY CHECK

ON THESE HIDDEN HAUNTS.

WELL, IT WAS A GOOD TRY, BUT NOT QUITE GOOD ENOUGH.

FOR ONCE, THE JUNGLE CATS MUST GO HUNGRY.

BUT MAYBE THEY WON'T STARVE AFTER ALL.

HERE COMES A PORK CHOP ON THE HOOF.

THIS IS THE COLORED PECCARY, THE WILD PIG OF THE JUNGLE.

HE'S AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS ANIMAL.

INDEED, THIS FELLOW MAY TAKE SOME HANDLING.

BUT TO THE JUNGLE CATS,

A LITTLE RISK SIMPLY ADDS ZEST TO THE GAME.

IT'S GOING TO TAKE STRATEGY AND A BIT OF TEAMWORK

TO DOWN THIS FELLOW.

THE FEMALE STARTS THE KEY MANEUVER

BY DRAWING THE PIG'S ATTENTION TO HERSELF.

THIS ALLOWS HER PARTNER TO STRIKE FROM BEHIND

AND FINALLY MAKE THE KILL.

IT'S MORE AND MORE APPARENT

THAT THE SAFEST PLACE IN THE JUNGLE

IS UP IN THE TREES.

INDEED, IF ALL SPECIES LIVED ON THE GROUND,

WITHIN REACH OF THE JUNGLE CATS,

THERE WOULD SOON BE NONE LEFT.

TO COUNTERACT THIS THREAT,

THE OTHER CREATURES EVOLVE SPECIAL EQUIPMENT OF THEIR OWN.

AND ONE WHOSE TALENTS ARE DEVELOPED TO A HIGH DEGREE

IS THIS TREETOP TRAVELER.

THIS IS THE TAMANDUA, OR LESSER ANTEATER.

HE LIVES ON A DIET OF ANTS AND TERMITES

AND PRACTICALLY NOTHING ELSE.

HE FINDS THIS STAPLE FOOD

HANDILY AVAILABLE IN THE TREETOPS

IN THESE AERIAL ANTHILLS CALLED TERMITARIUMS.

WITH STRONG TALONS DEVELOPED OVER CENTURIES OF SUCH EFFORT,

HE TEARS THESE TERMITE CITIES APART

AND SCOOPS UP THE FLEEING FUGITIVES

WITH HIS FACILE TONGUE.

BECAUSE HE MUST WORK HIGH ABOVE THE GROUND,

THE TAMANDUA HAS DEVELOPED HIS OWN SAFETY DEVICE --

A SENSITIVE, PREHENSILE TAIL

THAT AUTOMATICALLY ANCHORS HIM BETTER THAN ANY HAND.

AMONG THE ANTEATERS, THIS IS THE CLASSIC FIGHTING STANCE --

ARMS HELD WIDE APART, AS THOUGH TO INVITE ATTACK.

BUT THERE'S A METHOD IN THIS MADNESS, FOR IN THIS POSE,

THE SHARP TALONS ARE READY, AND THESE CAN BE DEADLY.

HERE, THE DISPUTE IS MORE OR LESS IN THE FAMILY

AND NOT AS SERIOUS AS MIGHT BE.

IT WAS SORT OF A QUESTION OF PRIORITY --

WHO SHOULD GIVE WAY TO WHOM?

WHEN THE SHUFFLE PUSHED THEM ON OPPOSITE SIDES OF THE ARGUMENT,

THEY DECIDE THEY CAN BREAK IT OFF WITH DIGNITY.

AND SO THEY GO THEIR RESPECTIVE, ILL-TEMPERED WAYS.

IN SOME RESPECTS, THE ANTEATERS ARE THE STRANGEST

AMONG ALL THE STRANGE CREATURES OF THE JUNGLE.

THE MERE FACT OF AN ANIMAL EXISTING SOLELY ON INSECTS

IS STARTLING,

ESPECIALLY WHEN THE CREATURE IS THE SIZE OF THIS ONE.

THIS IS THE GIANT ANTEATER, LARGEST OF ALL THE TRIBE.

THIS FELLOW'S DAILY INTAKE OF ANTS

COULD WELL BE FIGURED IN BUSHEL BASKETS.

THE ANTEATER'S TONGUE IS LONG AND LIMBER

AND COATED WITH A STICKY SUBSTANCE.

IT CAN PROBE THE TINIEST CRACKS AND CRANNIES,

AND FOR THE ANTS, ESCAPE IS PRACTICALLY IMPOSSIBLE.

GENERALLY SPEAKING,

THE ANTEATERS ARE WITHOUT ENEMIES.

THE ONLY ANIMAL THAT'S INCLINED TO MOLEST THEM,

AS MIGHT BE EXPECTED, IS THE JUNGLE CAT.

LIKE EVERY CAT IN CREATION,

THE JAGUAR IS PLAGUED BY CURIOSITY.

IF SOMETHING MOVES, HE'S GOT TO KNOW WHAT IT IS,

IF ONLY TO PROVIDE A MOMENT OF DIVERTING AMUSEMENT.

IN SELF-DEFENSE, THE ANTEATER ASSUMES HIS FIGHTING STANCE

AND KEEPS HIS SHARP TALONS READY.

AT TIMES, HE BECOMES THE AGGRESSOR,

TURNING THE TABLES AND CHASING HIS TORMENTOR.

WHEN HE SEES THE CHANCE FOR A GETAWAY, HE TAKES TO THE RIVER

AND PUTS AN EXPANSE OF WATER BETWEEN HIMSELF AND THE CAT.

APPARENTLY, THE JAGUAR

DOESN'T FEEL LIKE CARRYING THINGS THAT FAR,

AND SO HE LETS THE VICTIM GO.

AFTER ALL THAT EXERTION, THE ANTEATER NEEDS A REST.

BUT BEFORE LYING DOWN,

HE SCOOPS OUT AN IMPROVISED COUCH ON THE JUNGLE FLOOR.

THEN HE CIRCLES THE SPOT AND FINALLY SPIRALS INTO BED.

ALTHOUGH THE PROBLEMS OF THE HUNT

ARE THE JUNGLE CAT'S DAILY OCCUPATION,

SHE MUST OFTEN INTERRUPT THEM

TO CONTINUE THE TRAINING OF HER YOUNG.

IN TIME, THEY MUST TAKE HER PLACE, AND TO DO SO,

THEY MUST KNOW ALL THE JUNGLE'S WEIRD WAYS.

AND NOW COMES THE STRANGEST LESSON

OF THEIR YOUNG CAREERS --

HOW TO DEAL WITH THEIR WORST ENEMY.

THERE ARE MANY THINGS FOR THE KITTENS TO LEARN

FROM THIS DEMONSTRATION, AND ONE OF THEM IS THIS --

IT'S IMPORTANT TO KNOW WHEN TO MOVE IN AND WHEN TO MOVE BACK

AND WHEN TO CALL IN THE RESERVES.

IT WOULD SEEM THE BIG CATS

HAVE STIRRED UP A WHOLE NEST OF JACARES,

AND NOW IT'S A MATTER OF PICKING ONE THEY CAN HANDLE.

HERE'S A LIKELY LOOKING CANDIDATE.

CAT VERSUS CROCODILE --

A BATTLE OUT OF THE SWAMPS OF ETERNITY.

THE CAT HAS CLEVERNESS AND GUILE ON ITS SIDE.

THE CROCODILE -- BRUTE STRENGTH AND A KILLER'S INSTINCT.

THE CAT'S PROBLEM IS SIMPLE, THOUGH NOT EASY.

IT'S HOW TO GET PAST THOSE MURDEROUS TEETH.

WHEN THE THING IS DONE,

IT IS DONE SIMPLY AND MOST EFFECTIVELY --

BY DROWNING.

THUS PERISHES THE AMPHIBIOUS LIZARD

THAT HAUNTS THE JUNGLE SWAMPS.

AGAIN, THE JAGUARS CONQUER

SIMPLY BECAUSE THEY KNOW NO FEAR.

OF NECESSITY, THE HUNTERS OF THE JUNGLE

MUST WORK FOR THEIR KEEP,

BUT FOR OTHERS, FOOD IS TO BE HAD WITHOUT EFFORT.

THE VEGETARIANS FIND THE JUNGLE A VAST BANQUET TABLE

AND ALL ITS DELICACIES FREE FOR THE TAKING.

THE VARIOUS SPECIES OF MONKEYS

ARE ESPECIALLY WELL PROVIDED FOR.

SUCH IS LIFE FOR THE MONKEYS --

EAT, THEN SLEEP.

SLEEP, THEN EAT.

AND BETWEENTIMES, DO NO MORE WORK THAN ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY.

OF COURSE, IT PAYS EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE

TO TAKE A CHECK ON THE JUNGLE CAT.

AND IF SHE'S WHERE SHE BELONGS AND YOU'RE WHERE YOU BELONG,

THEN YOUR JUNGLE SIESTA CAN BE UNDISTURBED.

IF AFTER ALL THIS FOOD AND REST

YOU FEEL YOUR ENERGY BEGINNING TO STIR A BIT,

THEN IT'S TIME FOR YOUR CONSTITUTIONAL.

FOR THE MONKEY CLAN, THIS MEANS A FAST QUARTER MILE

ALONG THESE TREETOP HIGHWAYS.

IF HE'S ESPECIALLY AMBITIOUS, THE MONKEY'S WORKOUT

IS APT TO INCLUDE A FEW QUICK SWINGS ON A JUNGLE TRAPEZE.

THESE SPIDER MONKEYS HAVE THEIR OWN SENSE OF BALANCE

AND A PREHENSILE TAIL TO TAKE CARE OF ANY ERRORS IN JUDGMENT.

OUT OF NOWHERE, A BOA CONSTRICTOR APPEARS.

AND THIS MEANS THAT ALL MONKEY BUSINESS IS OVER.

THE BOA IS ONE OF THE LARGEST CONSTRICTORS

LIVING IN THE BRAZILIAN JUNGLE,

AND ALTHOUGH NOT POISONOUS, IT'S EXTREMELY DANGEROUS.

IT STRANGLES ITS PREY IN ITS MUSCULAR COILS

IF AND WHEN IT CATCHES SOMETHING.

FORTUNATELY FOR THE MONKEYS, THE BOA IS NOT A FAST CRAWLER.

THE BIGGER IT IS, THE SLOWER IT TRAVELS.

IT TAKES A LITTLE TIME, IN FACT,

TO MOVE 300 PAIRS OF RIBS PAST A GIVEN POINT.

BUT THE BOA REQUIRES ONLY ONE GOOD MEAL A MONTH,

AND SO IT HAS PLENTY OF TIME TO DEVOTE TO THE ART OF AMBUSH.

IT'S FOR THIS REASON THAT IT WILL LIE ALONG THE LIMB OF A TREE,

SIMULATING THE BRANCH UPON WHICH IT RESTS.

WHEN IT FREEZES INTO POSITION,

ITS MOTTLED MARKINGS MAKE IT VERY DIFFICULT TO SEE.

THE MONKEYS SEE IT, HOWEVER, NO DOUBT ABOUT THAT.

AND THEY KNOW EXACTLY WHICH END THEY CAN PLAY AROUND WITH

AND WHICH END TO LEAVE STRICTLY ALONE.

IT'S AMAZING WHAT LIBERTIES

THESE IMPISH CREATURES WILL TAKE.

UNDOUBTEDLY, THIS IS THE MONKEYS' WAY OF LIVING DANGEROUSLY.

FINALLY TIRING OF THEIR LITTLE GAME,

THE MONKEYS DO A QUICK EXIT.

THEY'VE DECIDED THIS ISN'T THEIR MONTH

TO BE THE BOA'S BANQUET.

AND NOW HERE'S A NEW KIND OF FUN --

A PAIR OF BABY TOUCANS,

NOT READY TO FLY AND NOT READY TO FIGHT, EITHER.

SOMETIMES A MONKEY IS LIKE A NAUGHTY CHILD,

NOT SO MUCH MALICIOUS AS MISCHIEVOUS.

LIKE A KID WITH A NEW TOY,

HE'S GOT TO KNOW WHAT MAKES THIS THING WORK,

EVEN IF HE BREAKS IT FINDING OUT.

WHEN IT COMES TO GETTING INTO TROUBLE,

THE MONKEYS HAVE SOME COUSINS WHO ARE RATHER GOOD AT IT, TOO.

THESE ARE THE SO-CALLED NEAR MONKEYS --

THE MARMOSETS AND THE TAMARINS.

THEY SEEM TO SHARE THE TRIBE'S GENERAL PROCLIVITIES

FOR MEDDLING IN SOMEBODY ELSE'S BUSINESS.

AMONG THEIR NUMBER, THEY INCLUDE SOME ODD SPECIMENS,

LIKE THIS FELLOW.

HE'S CALLED THE MOUSTACHED TAMARIN

AND COULD HARDLY BE ANYTHING ELSE.

THEN THERE'S A RELATIVE KNOWN AS THE LION MARMOSET,

SO NAMED FOR HIS COLOR AND NOT FOR HIS COURAGE OR HIS SIZE.

NEXT, THERE'S THE TUFTED MARMOSET,

A FELLOW WITH HIS WHISKERS IN HIS EARS.

THIS IS THE SILKY MARMOSET,

THE ALBINO MEMBER OF THE FAMILY.

AND FINALLY, THERE'S AN IDIOT COUSIN

WHO MIGHT BE CALLED THE HALF-WITTED MARMOSET.

HE'S THE ONE WHO LIKES TO PLAY WITH SNAKES...

IN THIS CASE, AN EMERALD TREE BOA.

THE TREE BOA IS ANOTHER OF THE CONSTRICTORS --

NOT POISONOUS, BUT NOT THE BEST OF PLAYMATES EITHER.

FOOLHARDINESS MUST ALWAYS PAY ITS PRICE.

IF YOU WILL COMMIT SUICIDE,

THE JUNGLE IS QUICK TO ACCOMMODATE.

HIGH ABOVE ALL THIS TROUBLE AND TURMOIL,

THERE LIVES A SPECIES WHOSE LIFE IS SIMPLE AND SERENE.

NOT FOR THEM, THESE NERVE-RACKING MOMENTS

OF CONSTANT CRISIS.

THEIRS IS A SLOW AND UNRUFFLED EXISTENCE,

FOR THAT'S EXACTLY THE KIND OF CREATURES THEY ARE --

THE SLOW AND UNRUFFLED SLOTHS.

THE SLOTH SPENDS ITS WHOLE LIFE SUSPENDED IN SPACE,

NOT BECAUSE IT WANTS TO, ESPECIALLY,

BUT SIMPLY BECAUSE IT CAN'T BEHAVE IN ANY OTHER FASHION.

IT'S SO ACCUSTOMED TO THIS TOPSY-TURVY EXISTENCE

THAT IT CAN'T WALK UPRIGHT ON ALL FOURS.

IN FACT, A SLOTH THAT FINDS ITSELF ON THE GROUND

IS JUST ABOUT IN THE WORST PREDICAMENT POSSIBLE.

ONLY WHEN IT CAN CLIMB BACK INTO THE TREES

IS IT IN ITS PROPER ELEMENT.

AND NOT JUST ANY OLD TREE,

FOR THIS PARTICULAR SPECIES CAN LIVE ONLY ON ONE KIND OF FOOD --

THE LEAVES AND SEEDPODS OF THE CECROPIA TREE.

THUS, ITS RESTRICTED DIET

KEEPS IT WITHIN A RELATIVELY LIMITED AREA.

TO A SLOTH, THIS DOESN'T SEEM A HANDICAP, HOWEVER.

HE WASN'T GOING ANYWHERE ANYWAY.

AND EVEN IF HE SHOULD DECIDE TO TRY, HE WON'T TRAVEL FAR,

FOR IT TAKES HIM ALL DAY JUST TO CROSS THE STREET.

UH-OH.

HERE COME THE NUISANCES AGAIN.

THESE WHITE-FACED RASCALS

SEEM ANNOYED AT THE SLOTHS FOR SOME REASON.

PERHAPS IT'S BECAUSE THEY'VE TAKEN OVER THE MONKEYS' FAVORITE TREE.

ORDINARILY, SLOTHS NEVER ENTER THE WATER ONCE IN A GENERATION.

AND YET, WHEN PLUNGED INTO IT, LIKE THIS,

THEY'RE ABLE TO SWIM JUST LIKE EVERYTHING ELSE.

THEY MIGHT DO WELL TO STEP UP THE TEMPO A BIT, HOWEVER.

NOW THE ANACONDA'S ON THEIR TRAIL.

THIS IS THE RIVER-GOING VERSION OF THE BOA CONSTRICTOR

AND TWICE AS DANGEROUS TO ALL THAT'S WARM-BLOODED AND MORTAL.

AND NOW SAFETY IS WITHIN THEIR GRASP,

IF THEY COULD ONLY GRASP IT.

AT LAST, A MOTHER'S COURAGE AND TENACITY WIN OUT,

EVEN OVER PHYSICAL INEPTITUDE.

THE FEUD BETWEEN THE SLOTHS AND THE MONKEYS IS AN OLD ONE,

A FORM OF HARASSMENT THAT NEVER ENDS.

THE ACROBATIC MONKEYS ARE SO CLEVER,

AND THE HANDICAPPED SLOTH SO HELPLESS,

THEY TAKE GREAT DELIGHT IN SHOWING HIM UP WHENEVER THEY GET THE CHANCE.

IF EVER THERE WAS AN UNDERDOG IN THE WORLD,

THE POOR SLOTH IS IT.

BEFORE LONG, HOWEVER, THE MONKEYS SEEM TO LOSE INTEREST IN THEIR VICTIM.

THEY DROP HIM AS SUDDENLY AS THEY TOOK HIM UP.

IN A MOMENT, IT'S CLEAR WHY.

A COUPLE OF CURIOUS SPECTATORS ARE QUITE SPELLBOUND

BY THESE DEVELOPMENTS.

DESPERATELY SEEKING SOME SMALL ADVANTAGE,

THE SLOTH TRIES THE ONE TRICK IT KNOWS.

BY NOW, THE SLOTH IS LITERALLY HANGING ON FOR DEAR LIFE,

BUT SO IS THE CAT IT TURNS OUT.

IF THERE'S ONE THING TO UNSETTLE THE JAGUAR,

IT'S A SENSE OF UNSURENESS.

THIS LIMB MAY GIVE WAY, AND IT'S A LONG WAY DOWN,

EVEN FOR A CREATURE ACCUSTOMED TO MAKING GOOD LANDINGS.

NEVER ONE TO GIVE UP,

THE SLOTH FINDS A THIN CHANCE OFFERING ITSELF.

IT'S THE SLENDEREST OF CHANCES,

BUT IT'S WELL WORTH THE TAKING.

AND SO, FOR ONCE, THE MIGHTY JUNGLE CAT IS DEFEATED...

NOT BY SUPERIOR STRENGTH OR BETTER REFLEXES,

BUT SIMPLY BY STEADIER NERVES.

THUS DO THE MEEK SURVIVE.

THE JAGUAR'S DISAPPOINTMENT IS SOMETHING SHE TAKES IN STRIDE.

IT'S HAPPENED BEFORE, AND IT MAY WELL HAPPEN AGAIN.

SHE QUICKLY FORGETS THE WHOLE THING

WHEN SHE REJOINS HER FAMILY.

HERE'S SOMETHING SHE CAN'T IGNORE, HOWEVER --

THE BOA CONSTRICTOR, POISED TO STRIKE.

THE BOA STRIKES NOT TO KILL, BUT TO CATCH HOLD.

ONCE ATTACHED, IT WILL LOOP ITS GREAT COILS AROUND A VICTIM

WITH LIGHTNING SPEED.

REALIZING ALL THIS, THE MOTHER MANEUVERS FOR THE KILL.

SHE DISPLAYS A CERTAIN RESPECT FOR THE SNAKE,

BUT NO REAL FEAR.

SHE'S MET ITS KIND BEFORE.

SHE KNOWS THAT AS LONG AS SHE STAYS OUT OF REACH,

SHE'S REASONABLY SAFE.

AFTER THE FIRST SKIRMISH, THE MOTHER JAGUAR DECIDES ANOTHER TACK IS IN ORDER.

BUT FIRST, SHE MUST MAKE SURE HER KITTENS

ARE OUT OF HARM'S WAY.

NOW TO GET DOWN TO THE DEADLY BUSINESS AT HAND.

THE CAT DISCOVERS THAT THE REPTILE HAS CRAWLED ON TO AN OVERHANGING LIMB.

SHE BATS AT IT, FEINTING LIKE A CLEVER BOXER.

HER OBJECT -- TO BRING THE BOA'S HEAD WITHIN REACH.

THAT'S THE VULNERABLE SPOT --

THE NECK, JUST BEHIND THE HEAD --

IF SHE CAN ONCE GET AT IT.

ONCE ON THE GROUND, HOWEVER, THE ADVANTAGE SWINGS TO THE SNAKE,

FOR NOW THERE'S ROOM TO MANEUVER AND STRIKE AGAIN.

AGAIN, THIS HAS BECOME A SITUATION REQUIRING TEAMWORK.

AND HELP ARRIVES WHEN HER MATE COMES ON THE SCENE.

WITH THE ATTACK COMING FROM TWO SIDES, THE SNAKE TRIES RETREAT.

THIS UNHEARD-OF TACTIC ROUSES THE JAGUAR

TO A NEW PITCH OF RESENTMENT.

HE'S DETERMINED TO SEE THIS THROUGH TO A DECISION.

AND THIS MONSTER IS NOT GOING TO BE "THE ONE THAT GOT AWAY,"

NOT IF HE CAN HELP IT.

CAN A 200-POUND JAGUAR HOLD A 300

THAT'S THE QUESTION NOW.

THE POWER OF THE REPTILE FINALLY PREVAILS,

AND NOW THE BATTLE MOVES TO AN ELEMENT

THE SNAKE LIKES BETTER.

EVERY CREATURE HAS A LAST-DITCH STRATEGY.

THE SNAKE'S IS THIS -- LURE THE ENEMY IN OVER HIS DEPTH,

THEN SEIZE HIM IN THE MUDDY WATERS.

MOST CREATURES WOULD SEE THE DANGER DEVELOPING

AND THINK TWICE BEFORE STEPPING INTO THE TRAP.

BUT NOT THE JAGUAR.

HE DOESN'T CARE ABOUT DANGER.

HIS BLOOD IS UP, BUT HE MEANS BUSINESS,

AND SO HE GOES AFTER THE GIANT REPTILE.

THERE OCCURS ONE BAD MOMENT

WHEN THE CAT SEEMS TERRIBLY CLOSE TO SUFFOCATION.

HIS MATE MOVES IN TO HELP,

BUT BEFORE SHE CAN GET INTO THE FRAY,

THE MALE MANAGES TO BREAK THE STRANGLEHOLD.

NOW HE HAS THE ENEMY OUT ON DRY LAND AGAIN.

FOR ALL ITS GREAT STRENGTH,

THE SNAKE IS BEGINNING TO SHOW SIGNS OF EXHAUSTION.

ITS MOVEMENTS HAVE BECOME SLUGGISH,

AND ITS REFLEXES, SLOW.

ALL IT CAN DO NOW IS TO TRY TO PROTECT ITS VULNERABLE HEAD.

FINALLY DEATH COMES.

THE DREADED REPTILE LIES LIMP AND LIFELESS.

THE MOMENT THE ENEMY IS DISPOSED OF,

THE JAGUARS IGNORE IT COMPLETELY.

SOON THE INCIDENT IS QUITE FORGOTTEN.

FOR THE JUNGLE CATS, IT WAS ALL IN A DAY'S WORK --

NOTHING UNUSUAL ABOUT IT, NOTHING UNUSUAL AT ALL.

FOR THIS LITTLE TIME,

WE HAVE DWELT IN THE WORLD OF THE JUNGLE CATS.

AND IN WATCHING THEIR TRUE-LIFE ADVENTURE,

WE HAVE COME TO REALIZE THAT THESE TRULY ARE

THE MOST CATLIKE OF ALL CATS.

THEIRS IS A LIFE LIKE NONE OTHER ON EARTH.

THEIRS IS A DOMAIN WITHOUT EQUAL ANYWHERE.

IT IS BOTH HOME AND HAVEN

TO SOME OF THE STRANGEST OF CREATURES.

AND FOR A BRIEF MOMENT,

WE'VE HAD AN INTIMATE GLIMPSE OF SOME OF THESE, TOO.

THE TAMANDUA, DRESSED IN HIS CURIOUS JACKET.

THE TAPIR, BRAVING THE PERILS OF THE HIDDEN RIVERS.

THE INDESTRUCTIBLE SLOTH AND HER QUAINT CHILD.

THE GAUDY BIRDS AND ALL THEIR VIBRANT PLUMAGE.

THE SILENT REPTILES LYING IN WAIT.

AND THAT ANCIENT OF ANCIENTS -- THE JACARE,

LURKING IN THE DARK WATERS LIKE THE SOUL OF THE JUNGLE ITSELF.

NOW THE TROPICAL RAINS DELUGE THIS LEAKY WORLD,

BRINGING A MOMENT OF PEACE.

BUT PEACE IS ONLY TEMPORARY,

AND NOT THE NATURAL ORDER OF THINGS.

FOR AS LONG AS THE JAGUAR RULES SUPREME,

LIFE WILL CONTINUE TO BE EXCITING AND HAZARDOUS,

FOR SUCH IS THE NEED AND THE WAY OF THE HUNTER,

AND SUCH, MORE THAN ANY OTHER CREATURE,

IS THE WAY OF THE JUNGLE CAT.