Baby Jaguar Doodlewash
By Charlie

J Is For Jaguar

Written by Charlie O'Shields

I started thinking it might be fun to do a jellyfish for today’s doodlewash, but then realized they don’t really have expressive eyes (all four of them), so we ended up with a baby jaguar instead. I feel like eyes are the best part of drawing living things so I’m partial to creatures with very visible and defined ones. I found it interesting that jaguars are born with their eyes and ears sealed shut, but I couldn’t find the reason why. I imagine it’s just a much gentler way to enter this crazy world than we humans had to endure.

After just six months, little jaguars are taught how to hunt and after their second birthday, they’ll leave their folks to live on their own. Talk about a low maintenance kid! But this little guy will become a big predator when he grows up and will eat pretty much anything with a pulse, including fish by using his tail as a lure. There are no natural predators for jaguars, but there are unnatural ones in the form of humans, who hunt them for sport and destroy their rain forests, placing them as “near threatened” on the IUCN Red List.

This is sad because in the wild, the jaguar is pretty much a badass with stronger jaws than any other species of cat. Even their name is badass as it comes from the Native American word “yajuar” meaning “he who kills with one leap.” I wouldn’t want to run into this guy when he gets a bit older, but right now he’s just pleasantly cute. Also, I hope you’re enjoying these little fun facts as I simply don’t have personal stories for most of these creatures. I guess if I’d grown up in a zoo I might have, but that sadly didn’t happen, contrary to the rumors. Next up is “K” so cast your votes in the comments if there’s something you’d like to see next!

About the Doodlewash

M. Graham watercolors: Quinacrodine Gold, Ultramarine Blue, Burnt Sienna and Neutral Tint. Lamy Safari Al Star pen with Platinum Carbon black ink and second Lamy Safari Al Star pen with Platinum Carbon sepia ink in a 5″ x 8″ 140 lb. (300 gsm) Pentalic Aqua Journal

Charlie O'Shields

Creator of Doodlewash, founder of World Watercolor Month (July), World Watercolor Group, and host of the Sketching Stuff Podcast. Sharing watercolor illustrations and stories while proudly featuring talented artists from all over the world!

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56 thoughts on “J Is For Jaguar”

  1. Look at that cutie-pie! <3 Oh, and your jaguar, too! LOL! I only now realized that I forgot to suggest anything for J yesterday. Yeah, all babies are cute…and then they grow up. 😉

    Oh, K…kangaroo, of course; maybe koala? Katydid? 🙂

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  3. Such a sweet kitty! Lol. I do agree with you about the eyes. I think the eyes define their personalities. I have been seeing so many photos of people who hunt exotic animals just for fun. Just makes me sad. I hope this little one has an opportunity to be the badass in the wild. Fantastic doodlewash! I would suggest Komoda dragon for K but you’ve already done an iguana and dinosaur.. So maybe a koala.. 😊

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  9. Charlie!!! This is incredible!!! I was quietly hoping that the jaguar would beat the jellyfish, because I knew how it would turn out, but this is even sweeter than I expected. It’s too much for me to handle <3 just a stunning jaguar cub – I can't stop looking into his eyes. Do more little big cats, mister! That's an order.

    K is for Koala. Kingfisher. Kestrel. King snake.

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        1. Oh, yes, we have the weirdest and most wonderful animals in ALL the world!! lol. We’re an island and, much like Madagascar, they’ve developed in isolation to their uniqueness. Look forward to seeing what you doodle next, Charlie. Love all your wonderful work! 🙂

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    2. Awww thanks Jacob! Yeah…jellyfish feel too much like abstract art and that’s not my gig. Need a pair of eyes to peer into and I’m good. Glad you like him. I seriously wanted one after sketching this. 😊hehe…but they never stay properly small. Hope you’re having a wonderful weekend my friend!

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      1. I missed out the ‘eek’ – this is definitely eek-worthy. Eeeek!!! 😉 Oh, they’re equally magical when big, just maybe a bit more of a handful! I want one too but perhaps its for the best if we stick with your doodlewash.

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          1. Haha. You should go to the zoo – and so should I! – they might let you cuddle a cub. My mother once got a hug with a baby tiger – that’s just not fair!!

  16. Beautiful, soulful eyes! Very sweet and lovely, my bro and friend! I’m so glad you painted my suggestion! 💚💚💚 Ooh, I like Jill’s kangaroo idea for the letter K. Hmm…..kestrel would be cool if you wanted to do a bird. A kangaroo would be so cute! I hope you have a wonderful Weekend of Love 💚💚💚

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  21. Love your jaguar! Always wished that Dad would bring one home from the zoo, but we only got lions and tigers and a cougar once or twice. If you haven’t discovered the answer to your question about the reason that jaguars are born with closed eyes – most predator animals are born this way. Their eyes and ears aren’t quite developed when they are born, because the pregnancies are shorter, thus easier on mother’s that have to go out and hunt plus protect the offspring from males of their own species who are seldom nice fathers.

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