Did you know that a jaguar’s footprint differs from that of a puma? Based on the materials at this source, the key distinction lies in the heel pad—the jaguar’s is larger, wider, and extends to the base of the toes.
It’s reasonable to assume that in ancient times, when hunting was a primary activity, an animal’s track could play a significant role in determining its name. Thus, the jaguar could be described as "the animal that leaves a footprint with a large heel."
Interestingly, in South America, no one actually calls the animal "jaguar." Instead, it is known as "haguar," reflecting the Spanish "J" sound (pronounced as an aspirated "H").
This leads us to the Svan word "haguar" (ჰაგუარ), which translates to "heel." You can find this term in the well-known Svan text "Lushnu Anban"—"The Svan Alphabet."
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