How a Jaguar's Hunt Feeds a Forest
Clip: Season 44 Episode 4 | 3m 12sVideo has Closed Captions
A jaguar’s midnight hunt becomes a feast that feeds the forest.
Under the cover of night, a nesting sea turtle meets one of nature’s most formidable hunters. In the mangroves of Costa Rica, a jaguar’s powerful bite turns a single meal into a feast that sustains an entire forest.
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Major support for NATURE is provided by The Arnhold Family in memory of Henry and Clarisse Arnhold, Sue and Edgar Wachenheim III, The Fairweather Foundation, Charles Rosenblum, Kathy Chiao and...
How a Jaguar's Hunt Feeds a Forest
Clip: Season 44 Episode 4 | 3m 12sVideo has Closed Captions
Under the cover of night, a nesting sea turtle meets one of nature’s most formidable hunters. In the mangroves of Costa Rica, a jaguar’s powerful bite turns a single meal into a feast that sustains an entire forest.
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
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Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorshipOn the beach, the first female turtle puts the final touches on her nest.
(waves crashing) Her eggs are now hidden, but she is still very much exposed.
(waves crashing) (jaguar softly growling) (waves crashing) No stalking, no pouncing, just a quick and easy bite to the back of the head.
(jaguar softly growling) Back in the mangroves, Alonzo settles down to his meal.
(turtle shell cracking) His powerful jaws make quick work of the turtle's hard shell.
The jaguar has the most powerful bite of any big cat.
His jaws work just as well on the shell as they do on other animals' skulls.
(turtle shell cracking) His tongue isn't just for tasting.
It's lined with back-facing barbs that may aid with stripping flesh from bone.
The turtle will feed Alonzo for two days.
For now, he has eaten his fill, but he's not the only one dining tonight.
As he takes a break, hungry scavengers move in from the shadows.
The scent penetrates the forest.
A resourceful opossum is in luck.
He's so taken by his windfall, he fails to notice that someone has come back for seconds.
(turtle shell cracking) The jaguar's leftovers will nourish a whole forest community.
How Jaguars Are Saving Sea Turtles
Video has Closed Captions
Clip: S44 Ep4 | 2m 53s | On Costa Rica’s coast, jaguars are doing more than hunting. They’re helping sea turtles survive. (2m 53s)
A Jaguar Love Triangle Caught on Camera
Video has Closed Captions
Clip: S44 Ep4 | 3m 11s | Meet Alonzo, Amanda, and Jorge: three big cats whose lives intertwine in unexpected ways. (3m 11s)
Video has Closed Captions
Preview: S44 Ep4 | 30s | On Costa Rica’s Pacific coast, turtles and jaguars collide in unexpected ways. (30s)
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Major support for NATURE is provided by The Arnhold Family in memory of Henry and Clarisse Arnhold, Sue and Edgar Wachenheim III, The Fairweather Foundation, Charles Rosenblum, Kathy Chiao and...