"Big cat" is an informal term used to refer to bigger cat species than their domesticated counterparts. They are carnivores on top of the food chain and excellent predators. Big cats are found in many parts of the world including Asia, America, Europe, and Africa. The big cat species list includes endangered and extremely rare species.
Tiger
Growing to a length of up to 11 feet and tipping the scales at 670 pounds, tigers are the biggest of the big cats. They are distinguished by their dark vertical stripes and orange fur. They are known to live up to 26 years in captivity. Despite being common in Asia, tigers are considered an endangered species with just a few thousand existing in the wild today. They roam large contiguous areas to hunt their prey, which often puts them in contact with human populations.
Lion
While known as the "king of the jungle," lions actually live in the vast savanna grasslands of Africa although a small population call India home. Lions are the second largest of the big cats with a lifespan of 10-14 years out in the wild. They are unusually social compared to other big cat species listed living and hunting together in groups called prides. Their prey consists mostly of large animals such as buffalo, zebras, and wildebeests. Lions are known to scavenge from time to time.
Jaguar
Found mostly in the rain forests of Central and South America, jaguars are the third largest big cats. They prefer "stalk and ambush" tactics and use their powerful bite to pierce armored reptiles or bite their prey's skull. Jaguars feature prominently in Maya and Aztec mythology and even in contemporary culture. They are considered a near threatened species due to habitat loss and conflicts with humans. Jaguars have short and stocky limbs for climbing, swimming, and crawling. They are distinguished by their spotted coat although black jaguars and even rare albino ones also exist.
Leopard
Leopard habitats are found in Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. They bear close resemblance to jaguars but are distinguished by smaller and densely packed rosettes on their fur. They are able to adapt to a wide range of habitats including rain forest and deserts. Leopards use stealth to hunt virtually any kind of animal it can. They are considered threatened because of hunting, habitat loss, and pest control.
Cheetah
The fastest land animal on earth, cheetahs can sprint up to 120 km/h and able to accelerate to 100 km/h in just five seconds. Anatomical features such as a small head and body, retractable claws, and a long tail help it achieve such speeds. They use this speed and a bite to the throat to take down their prey. They live in Africa and parts of the Middle East and are a predator to gazelles and impalas during the day. Cheetahs are small compared to other big cats and will not put up a fight against other predators.
Cougar
Also known as pumas and panthers, cougars are the only ones native to America in the big cat species list. They hunt a wide variety of prey at night using stalk and ambush tactics. Cougars are extremely territorial and are known to attack humans entering their territory. Although a big cat, they are related closer to the domesticated cat than lions.
Snow Leopard
Snow leopards are an endangered species living in the Central Asian mountain ranges. They are slightly smaller than other big cats with short legs and thick gray or yellowish tan fur. Snow leopards prey on a wide range of animals, big or small, depending on availability. They also eat vegetation, which is unusual for cats.
Clouded Leopard
Despite the name, clouded leopards are not actually related to leopards. They are the smallest of the big cats and are thought to be an evolutionary link between big and small cats. They live in the foothills of the Himalayas and mainland Southeast Asia. Clouded leopards have dark grey fur with a black and grey blotched pattern with black spots on the neck and head. They are a vulnerable species due to hunting for trade and habitat loss.
Sunda Clouded Leopard
The sunda clouded leopard is found in Sumatra and Borneo. It is related to the clouded leopard but genetically distinct. Not much is known because of its secretive nature although it is assumed they hunt at night and are solitary creatures.
The big cat species list includes some of the most dangerous animals on earth. Although different in size, behavior among most of the big cats is roughly the same. They are all carnivores and live in most parts of the world. Their contact with humans and other factors have put some of these species in the endangered list. Various conservation efforts have been mounted to save them from extinction.
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