Checklist of all sorts of wild cats, with footage and info on each species within the cat household Felidae.
Varieties of wild cats embrace large cat species belonging to the subfamily Pantherinae, together with the lion, tiger, jaguar, leopard and snow leopard; and members of the subfamily Felinae, together with the cheetah, cougar, lynx, bobcat, ocelot, margay, caracal, serval, fishing cat and Pallas’s cat.
On this web page are footage and info on all 41 presently acknowledged cat species, which incorporates 40 wild cat species and the home cat, Felis catus.
Wild Cats Checklist Index
- Click on on the cat’s identify within the checklist above to see additional info on that species…
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Felidae: The Cat Household
There are 41 cat species within the cat household Felidae. Felidae comprises two subfamilies: Pantherinae and Felinae.
- Pantherinae is residence to primarily massive, highly effective wild cats such because the tiger, lion, jaguar, leopard, and snow leopard.
- Felinae contains species which can be usually medium-sized or smaller, together with the lynxes, ocelot, margay, caracal, serval and Pallas’s cat. Two members of Felinae – particularly the mountain lion and cheetah, are as massive as or bigger than some members of Pantherinae.
The cat household Felidae is an element of a bigger group of animals, the order Carnivora, which can also be residence to all canines, bears, seals, weasels and a number of other different teams of primarily predatory mammals.
Huge Cats
The time period “large cats” is a casual grouping that refers back to the tiger, lion, jaguar, leopard, and snow leopard, and which is commonly expanded to incorporate the 2 largest members of the subfamily Felinae: the cougar (also referred to as the mountain lion or puma) and the cheetah.
Yow will discover out extra about large cats on this web page: What Is A Huge Cat?
How Many Varieties Of Wild Cats Are There?
The cat household Felidae comprises 41 species: 40 sorts of wild cats and the home cat. The precise variety of residing cat species is debated, with some authorities recognizing both extra, or fewer, species.
On this web page we’ve used the findings of the Worldwide Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Cat Specialists Group’s research: A Revised Taxonomy of the Felidae, which lists 41 completely different cat species. (Supply)
On the time of writing, the Catalogue of life lists 42 cat species (supply), whereas the Mammal Species of the World database comprises 40 species (supply).
Variations in these lists is because of closely-related species being regarded both as separate species or subspecies of the identical species.
For instance, the Catalogue of Life presently lists the Pantanal cat as being a definite species, whereas the Cat Specialist Group lists it as a subspecies of the Pampas cat.
Cats
Cats are mammals belonging to the household Felidae, which is a part of the order Carnivora. Wild cats are discovered within the Americas, Asia, Africa and Europe.
All cats are carnivores, and a number of other species are apex predators with no pure predators of their very own.
You possibly can see extra apex predators on this web page: Apex Predators
Traits of cats embrace retractable claws, sharp tooth, highly effective jaws, good night time imaginative and prescient and acute listening to. Cats are extremely agile and sometimes hunt by stealth, creeping near their prey earlier than pouncing.
Many sorts of wild cats are proficient climbers, typically getting into timber as a way to relaxation, hunt, or search refuge from predators.
Wild cats are solitary, territorial animals. Of the 41 cat species, solely the lion usually lives and hunts in teams.
The primary wild cats appeared round 30 million years in the past. Every of the 41 residing cat species within the checklist beneath is believed to be descended from a typical ancestor that lived in Asia between 11.6 and 5.3 million years in the past.
Sadly, many wild cat species are both endangered or threatened. The conservation standing (the place recognized) of each wild cat species has been included within the checklist beneath. This info is taken from the IUCN Crimson Checklist. (Supply)
Full Checklist Of All Wild Cat Species With Footage & Details
African Golden Cat
- Scientific identify: Caracal aurata
- Subfamily: Felinae
- The place discovered: Africa
- Conservation standing: Weak
The African golden cat lives deep within the rainforests of central Africa. The species, a detailed relation of the caracal and serval, is round twice the scale of a home cat. Its fur ranges in coloration from gold-brown to silver-grey, and is roofed in faint spots.
African Wildcat
- Scientific identify: Felis lybica
- Subfamily: Felinae
- The place discovered: Africa, Asia
- Conservation standing: Least Concern
As soon as thought of a subspecies of the wildcat Felis silvestris, the African wildcat is now thought of to be a separate species, thmust have diverged from its European cousin round 173,000 years in the past.
The species is often pale grey with faint stripes and a white underside. It’s smaller, and has shorter fur, than the wildcat. Its ears typically have small tufts.
The African wildcat is discovered all through a lot of Africa and in addition in Western Asia. It’s usually present in hill and mountainous areas, however this adaptable cat can survive in a variety of habitats.
Andean Mountain Cat
- Scientific identify: Leopardus jacobita
- Subfamily: Felinae
- The place discovered: South America
- Conservation standing: Endangered
Present in mountainous areas of Peru, Chile, Bolivia and Argentina, the Andean mountain cat is a small, sandy-grey cat with faint stripes on its physique and darker stripes on its tail.
The species is endangered on account of searching, habitat loss and the lack of prey animals. Its inhabitants, which is estimated to incorporate fewer than 1,500 mature people, continues to say no.
This secretive South American wild cat may be very not often seen. Its most important prey is the mountain viscacha (Lagidium viscacia), a chinchilla-like rodent.
Asian Golden Cat
- Different names: Temminck’s cat; Asiatic golden cat
- Scientific identify: Catopuma temminckii
- Subfamily: Felinae
- The place discovered: Southeast Asia
- Conservation standing: Close to Threatened
The Asian golden cat is a mid-sized wild cat present in Southeast Asia. (International locations wherein the species is current embrace India, Cambodia, China, Bhutan, Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia.)
The Asian golden cat is over twice the scale of a home cat. Its coat is often golden-red, however a variety of different coloration varieties are recognized. Some people have ocelot-like rosettes. The face is distinctively-marked with white patches and black strains on the cheeks and brow.
Usually present in forests, the Asian golden cat can also be inhabits savanna, shrubland and grassland habitats.
The Asian golden cat’s conservation ranking is Close to Threatened. The species’ inhabitants is believed to be in decline.
Bay Cat
- Different names: Borneo bay cat; Bornean bay cat
- Scientific identify: Catopuma badia
- Subfamily: Felinae
- The place discovered: Borneo
- Conservation standing: Endangered
The Bay cat is a small, endangered wild cat endemic to the Southeast Asian island of Borneo. It’s carefully associated to the Asiatic golden cat.
The Bay cat is smaller than its near-relative, rising to a most of round 4kg / 9 lb (across the dimension of a home cat). Its coat is a deep red-brown coloration, with faint spots on the physique and patches of white on the face.
The Bay cat’s inhabitants consists of round 2,200 mature adults, and is regarded as lowering. The forest-living species is likely one of the many victims of the widespread deforestation that has occurred in Borneo in current occasions.
- Various identify: Small-spotted cat
- Scientific identify: Felis nigripes
- Subfamily: Felinae
- The place discovered: Southern Africa
- Conservation standing: Weak
The black footed cat is likely one of the world’s smallest wild cat species, and the smallest present in Africa. With a most weight of round 2.5 kg (5.4 lb.), the species is smaller than a home cat, and considerably smaller than the African wildcat – each of that are shut relations.
The black footed cat has a pale-yellow coat marked with thick black stripes; the tail is ringed with a black tip. Surprisingly, solely the soles of its toes are black.
The black footed cat inhabits savanna, grassland and desert habitats in southern Africa. The species is current in Namibia, South Africa and Botswana, and is assumed to even be current in Zimbabwe and southern Angola.
Bobcat
- Scientific identify: Lynx rufus
- Subfamily: Felinae
- The place discovered: North America
- Conservation standing: Least Concern
The bobcat is a mid-sized wild cat present in North America. Its vary covers southern Canada to northern Mexico, and the species is discovered all through the USA.
The bobcat’s closest relations within the cat household are the lynxes. It’s the solely member of the genus Lynx to not have the phrase ‘lynx’ in its identify.
With a mean weight of round 8.2 kg (18.2 lb.), the bobcat is round twice the scale of a typical home cat. The bobcat’s attribute brief tail is between 9 and 20 cm (3.5 and eight in) in size.
The colour of a bobcat’s coat ranges from reddish-brown to gray-brown. The coat is marked with darkish spots and streaks, and the animal’s undersides are pale.
Bobcats from the north are usually darker in coloration than these residing in desert areas within the south.
The bobcat is most lively at daybreak and nightfall. It preys primarily on rabbits and hares, however this opportunistic hunter will take most small to medium-sized animals that it is ready to overcome.
- Yow will discover out extra concerning the bobcat on this web page: Bobcat Details
Canada Lynx
- Various identify: Canadian lynx
- Scientific identify: Lynx canadensis
- Subfamily: Felinae
- The place discovered: North America
- Conservation standing: Least Concern
The Canada lynx is analogous in dimension and look to the Bobcat, to which it’s carefully associated. The Canada lynx may be acknowledged by its massive furry toes, black ear tufts, and the patch of black on the finish of its brief tail. It’s barely bigger than the Bobcat and not less than twice the scale of a home cat.
The habitat of the Canada lynx is commonly coated with deep snow. The species’ large paws and lengthy hind legs enable it to hunt its favored prey – the snowshoe hare – in these situations.
Caracal
- Alternate identify: Desert lynx
- Scientific identify: Caracal caracal
- Subfamily: Felinae
- The place discovered: Africa, West Asia
- Conservation standing: Least Concern
The caracal is a mid-sized wild cat with a brief, pale gold coat and distinctive lengthy, black ear-tufts. The species’ identify comes from the Turkish for ‘black ear’. Its ear tufts, which resemble these of a lynx, are additionally answerable for its alternate identify of ‘desert lynx’.
Historical Egyptians used to hunt with domesticated caracals.
The caracal is present in Africa, the Center East and India. It’s pretty widespread, notably in southern and japanese Africa.
- Yow will discover extra info on the caracal on this web page: Caracal Details
Cheetah
- Scientific identify: Acinonyx jubatus
- Subfamily: Felinae
- The place discovered: Africa
- Conservation standing: Weak
The Cheetah is the world’s quickest land animal, able to reaching speeds of as much as 61 mph / 98 km/h (some even estimate the cheetah’s most velocity to be nearer to 75 mph (120 km/h).
This African cat species’ superior velocity, acceleration and maneuverability enable it to hunt the fast-moving antelopes that kind the majority of its weight-reduction plan.
The Cheetah is a tall, slim cat with lengthy legs and a small head. It has a pale gold coat marked with small darkish spots, and pale undersides. Its tail, which reaches a most size of round 80 cm (31 in), gives stability throughout the animal’s high-speed chases.
Cheetahs dwell in small, localized populations in sub-Saharan Africa (the realm south of the Sahara desert). There are fewer than 7,000 grownup cheetahs within the wild, and the species’ inhabitants is lowering.
Chinese language Mountain Cat
- Various names: Chinese language desert cat; Chinese language steppe cat
- Scientific identify: Felis bieti
- Subfamily: Felinae
- The place discovered: Western China
- Conservation standing: Weak
The Chinese language Mountain cat is a mid-sized wild cat discovered solely in western China. Its coat is pale yellow-grey with faint stripes, and its tail has black rings.
This secretive cat is lively at night time, preying on small vertebrates reminiscent of rodents and birds. It lives in forests and grasslands in mountainous areas.
Clouded Leopard
- Various identify: Mainland clouded leopard
- Scientific identify: Neofelis nebulosa
- Subfamily: Pantherinae
- The place discovered: Asia
- Conservation standing: Weak
This medium-large Asian wild cat is called for its cloud-like markings. It’s discovered on mainland Southeast Asia, and is typically referred to as the mainland clouded leopard to tell apart it from the closely-related Sunda clouded leopard.
The clouded leopard has among the many longest canine tooth in relation to physique dimension of any cat. This forest cat has a protracted tail, which is used for stability and assist when the cat is climbing within the timber.
A skillful climber, the clouded leopard rests within the timber throughout the day, coming all the way down to the forest flooring at night time to hunt.
Cougar
Home Cat
- Scientific identify: Felis catus
- Subfamily: Felinae
- The place discovered: All continents besides Antarctica
- Conservation standing: Home
The home cat is assumed to have originated from wildcats that had been tamed round 9,000 to 10,000 years in the past. Round 95 million home cats are saved within the USA, making cats the nation’s second hottest pet, after fish.
Regardless of its domestication, the cat stays an efficient predator of small mammals and birds. Sadly, a draw back of widespread cat possession is the destructive impact these predators can have on native wildlife.
Eurasian Lynx
- Scientific identify: Lynx lynx
- Subfamily: Felinae
- The place discovered: Europe; Asia
- Conservation standing: Least Concern
The Eurasian lynx has a wide variety that features south-eastern and central Europe, along with components of Asia, together with China, India, Iran and Pakistan. It has quite a few subspecies, together with the northern lynx, Balkan lynx and Siberian lynx.
The Eurasian lynx is a medium-sized wild cat. It’s the largest lynx species, weighing between 18 and 30 kg (40 and 66 lb.). It has a red-brown noticed coat, with paler undersides.
Like all lynxes, the Eurasian lynx has tufted ears, lengthy highly effective legs, and a brief ‘bobbed’ tail.
European Wildcat
- Scientific identify: Felis silvestris
- Subfamily: Felinae
- The place discovered: Europe
- Conservation standing: Least Concern
The European wildcat is a small cat that’s extensively distributed throughout Europe. It’s normally present in forests, usually avoiding human settlements.
There’s a lot debate of the classification of the wildcat. It’s genetically similar to the home cat and different species within the genus Felis, which incorporates species such because the jungle cat, sand cat and black footed cat.
Some biologists contemplate the home cat to be a subspecies of wildcat. The wildcat and home cat can breed, and in some areas this could be a risk to the continued existence of pure wildcats.
Most wildcats are barely bigger and stockier than home cats. The species has grey or pale gold fur, with faint spots or stripes. Its tail is bushy with black rings.
Fishing Cat
- Scientific identify: Prionailurus viverrinus
- Subfamily: Felinae
- The place discovered: Asia
- Conservation standing: Weak
The fishing cat is a mid-sized species of untamed cat present in South and Southeast Asia. It has a gray, noticed coat, and a striped face and head.
Intently related to water, the fishing cat lives close to lakes, swamps and mangroves. It’s able to swimming massive distances. The species’ weight-reduction plan consists of fish, along with small mammals, birds and different small animals.
Flat-Headed Cat
- Scientific identify: Prionailurus planiceps
- Subfamily: Felinae
- The place discovered: Southeast Asia
- Conservation standing: Endangered
The Flat-Headed Cat is a small cat discovered within the Thai-Malay Peninsula, and on the islands of Borneo and Sumatra.
The species is definitely distinguished from different small wild cat species by its lengthy, ‘flattened’ head and small, rounded ears. Its physique is gray and unmarked. The flat-headed cat makes use of its lengthy tooth to seize fish, its most popular meals.
The inhabitants of this endangered cat species presently numbers round 2,500 mature people, and is regarded as lowering.
Geoffroy’s Cat
- Scientific identify: Leopardus geoffroyi
- Subfamily: Felinae
- The place discovered: Southern South America
- Conservation standing: Least Concern
Geoffroy’s Cat was named after the French naturalist Geoffroy St. Hilaire. This small wild cat is concerning the dimension of a home cat. It’s a pale gold coloration, with darkish spots and a ringed tail. Its coat turns into much less golden, and greyer, the additional south it’s discovered.
Geoffroy’s Cat is present in a number of South American nations, together with Chile and Argentina. Its vary stretches from southern Bolivia within the north, to the Straits of Magellan within the south.
Typical habitat contains woodlands, savannas, and the Pampas, an unlimited lowland grassland system.
The species just isn’t presently threatened and its inhabitants is steady.
Iberian Lynx
- Scientific identify: Lynx pardinus
- Subfamily: Felinae
- The place discovered: Iberian Peninsula
- Conservation standing: Endangered
The Iberian Lynx is species of cat present in southwestern Spain. It is likely one of the world’s most endangered cats. In 2002 solely 52 mature people remained within the wild.
Like different lynxes, the Iberian Lynx has tufted ears, lengthy legs, a brief tail, and lengthy fur across the entrance of its neck. The Iberian Lynx is 2 to 3 occasions the load of a home cat and smaller than the Eurasian lynx.
Measures taken to guard the Iberian lynx embrace captive breeding applications and habitat preservation. Because of this conservation work, the species’ inhabitants is now rising, with 156 mature people being counted in a 2012 research.
Jaguar
- Scientific identify: Panthera onca
- Subfamily: Pantherinae
- The place discovered: South America
- Conservation standing: Close to Threatened
The Jaguar is the biggest cat discovered within the Americas, and the third-largest species of cat on this planet (solely the tiger and lion are bigger). It’s a massive, highly effective apex predator, able to preying on massive animals reminiscent of caiman, inexperienced anacondas and tapirs.
The jaguar has a golden-yellow coat, marked with black rosettes. Giant males can weigh as much as 96 kg (211 lb.).
The Jaguar is threatened by habitat fragmentation.
- Yow will discover out extra about Jaguars on this web page: Jaguar Details
Jaguarundi
- Scientific identify: Herpailurus yagouaroundi
- Subfamily: Felinae
- The place discovered: South America; Central America
- Conservation standing: Least Concern
The jaguarundi is a small wild cat species native to the Americas. It has a slender, elongated physique with brief legs and a protracted, tapering tail.
The coat of the jaguarundi is variable in coloration, starting from reddish-brown to grayish-black, with people typically showing virtually totally black. The face is rounded with small, rounded ears, and enormous eyes.
These agile hunters are recognized for his or her adaptability, thriving in quite a lot of habitats, together with forests, grasslands, and scrublands. Jaguarundis are primarily solitary and have a weight-reduction plan consisting of small mammals, birds, and bugs.
Jaguarundis are sometimes seen as far north as Texas.
Jungle Cat
- Different names: swamp cat; reed cat
- Scientific identify: Felis chaus
- Subfamily: Felinae
- The place discovered: Asia
- Conservation standing: Least Concern
The jungle cat is a mid-sized wild cat discovered all through a lot of Asia. It has a pale, grey-brown unmarked coat and a faintly ringed tail. It stands round 40 cm (16 in) tall and weighs between 4–16 kg (9–35 lb.).
The jungle cat is related to water, and is extra prone to be present in swamps and wetlands with dense vegetation fairly than rainforests.
A flexible predator, the jungle cat preys on quite a lot of small mammals, birds, and reptiles.
Kodkod
- Various identify: Guiña
- Scientific identify: Leopardus guigna
- Subfamily: Felinae
- The place discovered: South America
- Conservation standing: Weak
The kodkod, or Guiña, is the smallest wild cat species of the Americas. With a most weight of simply 2.5 kg (5.5 lb.), it’s considerably smaller than a home cat.
The kodkod’s coat is gray-gold with black spots. Its thick tail is marked with black rings.
The species is present in temperate rainforests in Chile and components of Argentina. Though a succesful climber, it normally hunts on the forest flooring. Rodents kind the majority of its weight-reduction plan, however it’ll additionally take a variety of small vertebrates.
The Kodkod’s pure habitat has grow to be severely fragmented and the species is additional threatened by searching.
Leopard
- Scientific identify: Panthera pardus
- Subfamily: Pantherinae
- The place discovered: Africa; Asia
- Conservation standing: Weak
The Leopard is a species of massive cat present in sub-Saharan Africa, Asia, and components of Russia. It’s comparable in look to the Jaguar however barely smaller and fewer cumbersome. Its pale golden coat is roofed in distinctive rosettes which, not like these of the Jaguar, aren’t crammed with spots.
The leopard is understood for its energy, and can carry a kill up a tree to stop it being stolen by hyenas.
Leopard Cat
- Scientific identify: Prionailurus bengalensis
- Subfamily: Felinae
- The place discovered: Asia
- Conservation standing: Least Concern
The leopard cat is a small wild cat that’s extensively distributed all through Asia. International locations wherein it’s discovered embrace China, Russia, India and the Philippines.
The species is present in a spread of forest habitats, together with rainforests and temperate broadleaf forests. It’s also present in grasslands, however normally prefers these with some tree cowl. It feeds primarily on mice, rats, and different small vertebrates.
The leopard cat is analogous in dimension to a home cat. The patchy spots that cowl its physique give it the looks of a miniature leopard, therefore the species’ identify. The colour of its coat ranges from gold to gray, relying on the place it’s discovered.
The Iriomote cat is a subspecies of leopard cat that’s endemic to the Japanese island of Iriomote. It’s present in forests and mangroves.
Lion
- Scientific identify: Panthera leo
- Subfamily: Pantherinae
- The place discovered: Africa; Asia
- Conservation standing: Weak
Top-of-the-line-known sorts of wild cats, the lion is the world’s second-largest cat species; solely the tiger is greater.
The lion is the one actually social cat. In contrast to different wild cats, that are usually solitary, lions dwell in teams generally known as “prides”.
Lions are massive, muscular wild cats with a particular tawny-colored coat, which in some people could also be barely darker or lighter. Lions are recognized for his or her majestic mane of the male, which might vary from blond to darkish brown.
Lions are present in japanese and southern Africa, and in two very small, remoted teams in India. They’re threatened by indiscriminate killing by native folks (typically due to the lion’s perceived risk to livestock), who go away poisoned carcasses for the lions to eat. Lions are additionally hunted for his or her physique components, that are utilized in conventional Asian medication.
- Yow will discover out extra about lions on this web page: Lion Details
Marbled Cat
- Scientific identify: Pardofelis marmorata
- Subfamily: Felinae
- The place discovered: Asia
- Conservation standing: Close to Threatened
Related in dimension to a home cat, the marbled cat is carefully associated to the Asian golden cat and the bay cat. The species is present in southern and southeastern Asia.
The marbled cat is brown-red in coloration with darker, cloud-like blotches. Its tail is as lengthy once more as its head and physique. The lengthy tail helps the cat to keep up its stability whereas climbing.
The species prefers pristine forest, and is threatened each by habitat loss and searching. Its inhabitants is severely fragmented.
Margay
- Scientific identify: Leopardus wiedii
- Subfamily: Felinae
- The place discovered: South America; Central America
- Conservation standing: Close to Threatened
The margay is a small south American kind of untamed cat. It’s present in a number of nations in south and central America, together with Brazil, Peru and Mexico.
With a pale-yellow coat and quite a few black spots, the margay is analogous in look to its shut relative the ocelot, however is smaller, being comparable in dimension to a home cat.
A wonderful climber, the margay typically rests in timber. Nonetheless, it does most of its searching on the bottom.
Threats to the margay embrace habitat loss, unlawful looking for its pores and skin and seize for the pet commerce.
- Yow will discover out extra concerning the margay on this web page: Margay Details
Mountain Lion
- Various names: puma, cougar, catamount
- Scientific identify: Puma concolor
- Subfamily: Felinae
- The place discovered: North America; South America
- Conservation standing: Least Concern
The mountain lion is a big wild cat present in each North and South America. The species can also be generally generally known as each the puma and the cougar.
The species’ massive vary stretches from northern Canada to the Andes in South America. It’s present in a variety of habitats, together with forests, grasslands and deserts.
The mountain lion is the second-largest cat of the Americas (the Jaguar is the biggest), and the fourth-largest of all cat species. Regardless of being (on common) bigger than a leopard, the mountain lion just isn’t thought of to be an enormous cat, because it can not roar.
The species is a stealthy ambush predator whose favored prey is deer. It would additionally prey on livestock.
- Yow will discover out extra about this American wild cat on this web page: Puma Details
Ocelot
- Scientific identify: Leopardus pardalis
- Subfamily: Felinae
- The place discovered: South America; Central America
- Conservation standing: Least Concern
The ocelot is a placing, medium-sized wild cat present in south and central America. The species is sometimes sighted as far north as southern Texas. It inhabits numerous habitats, from dense rainforests to arid grasslands.
Round twice the scale of a home cat, the ocelot has a slender, swish physique with a particular coat sample, that includes a background of tawny or yellowish fur adorned with black rosettes and spots.
The ocelot is primarily nocturnal, preying on small mammals, birds, and reptiles.
- Yow will discover out extra concerning the Ocelot on this web page: Ocelot Details
Oncilla
- Various names: northern tiger cat; little noticed cat; tigrillo
- Scientific identify: Leopardus tigrinus
- Subfamily: Felinae
- The place discovered: South America
- Conservation standing: Weak
The oncilla, also referred to as the little noticed cat or tigrillo, is a small wild cat species native to Central and South America, carefully associated to the ocelot and margay. It possesses a petite, slender physique with a dappled coat of wealthy tawny or grayish-brown fur adorned with distinctive darkish spots and rosettes. The oncilla has massive, expressive eyes, rounded ears, and a brief tail with a darkish rings.
These elusive and solitary hunters are primarily nocturnal, preying on small mammals, birds, and bugs. Their elusive nature and cryptic look make them difficult to identify of their most popular habitats, which vary from tropical rainforests to montane forests.
Pallas’s Cat
- Various identify: Manul
- Scientific identify: Otocolobus manul
- Subfamily: Felinae
- The place discovered: Central Asia
- Conservation standing: Least Concern
Recognized for its distinctive look, Pallas’s cat has a stocky physique, brief legs, and a flat, rounded face. Its fur is dense and covers a spread of colours, from pale grey to yellowish-brown, marked by irregular darkish spots and stripes, giving it a singular, virtually comical look. Its ears are positioned low on the edges of its head, permitting it to maintain a low profile when stalking its prey.
This Asian wild cat is analogous in dimension to a home cat, weighing between 2.2 and 4.1 kg (5 and 9 lb.).
Pallas’s cats are extremely tailored to their harsh, chilly environments and are expert hunters, primarily preying on small mammals and birds. These solitary and elusive cats are well-suited to the difficult terrain of their high-altitude habitats.
Pampas Cat
- Various names: Pantanal cat; Colocolo
- Scientific identify: Leopardus colocolo
- Subfamily: Felinae
- The place discovered: South America
- Conservation standing: Close to Threatened
The pampas cat is a small wild cat species native to South America, notably the grasslands and shrublands generally known as the pampas. It’s current in Ecuador, Peru, Brazil, Bolivia, Chile, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Argentina.
The species has a slender, agile physique with a coat that ranges from pale orange to silver-grey, adorned with refined darkish spots and stripes. Its face is spherical and it has distinctive ear tufts. The tail is brief and sometimes banded with darkish rings. Most pampas cats weigh below 4 kg (8.8 lb.); lower than a home cat.
These solitary and nocturnal hunters prey on small mammals, birds, and bugs. They’re expertly tailored to their grassland habitats and may be elusive.
Puma
Rusty-Noticed Cat
- Scientific identify: Prionailurus rubiginosus
- Subfamily: Felinae
- The place discovered: Indian Subcontinent; Sri Lanka
- Conservation standing: Close to Threatened
The rusty-spotted cat is the world’s smallest wild cat species, weighing between 0.9 and 1.6 kg (2.0 and three.5 lb.), and reaching a most head-body size of 48 cm (19 in). A big tiger (the most important wild cat species) is 200 occasions greater than a rusty-spotted cat!
Native to India and Sri Lanka, this diminutive felid is characterised by a tiny, slender physique, brief legs, and a coat with a reddish-brown hue and distinctive rusty spots and stripes.
Rusty-spotted cats have spherical faces, massive eyes, and a brief tail marked with bands and a darkish tip. These elusive and primarily nocturnal hunters feed primarily on small rodents. They thrive in quite a lot of habitats, from forests to grasslands, and their small dimension permits them to navigate the dense underbrush successfully.
Sand Cat
- Scientific identify: Felis margarita
- Subfamily: Felinae
- The place discovered: Asia; North Africa
- Conservation standing: Least Concern
The sand cat is a desert specialist that lives in arid areas of north Africa and southwest and central Asia.
Smaller than a home cat, the sand cat is a pale sandy coloration, with two distinctive black bands round its entrance legs and darkish bands spreading outwards from its eyes.
The paws of the sand cat are coated in thick, stiff fur, permitting the cat to stroll over scorching sand. The species can acquire the entire water it wants from its prey, which consists primarily of small rodents. (It would additionally drink from a water supply if one is obtainable.) The sand cat is a quick digger, and can burrow into the sand as a way to attain its prey.
The sand cat is principally lively at night time. Through the day, it shelters from the tough desert solar in burrows or amongst rocks.
Serval
- Scientific identify: Leptailurus serval
- Subfamily: Felinae
- The place discovered: Africa
- Conservation standing: Least Concern
The serval is a mid-sized African species of untamed cat. It’s discovered primarily in Sub-Saharan Africa, the place it inhabits quite a lot of habitats, however is absent from rainforests and deserts.
The serval’s coat is a pale sandy coloration and coated in massive black spots, a few of which merge into strains. For its dimension, the serval has the longest legs of all cats. Different distinguishing options embrace a small head and intensely massive ears.
The serval preys primarily on small vertebrates reminiscent of rodents, however may even take animals as massive as small antelopes.
The Serval has a variety and is comparatively widespread.
- Yow will discover out extra concerning the serval on this web page: Serval Details
Snow Leopard
- Various identify: Ounce
- Scientific identify: Panthera uncia
- Subfamily: Pantherinae
- The place discovered: Asia
- Conservation standing: Weak
Regardless of its identify, the snow leopard is extra carefully associated to the tiger than the leopard.
This swish and elusive wild cat is discovered within the mountains of central and south Asia. The areas wherein it lives are coated in snow for not less than a part of the yr.
The snow leopard has a pale yellow-white coat marked with darkish rosettes. Its eyes are pale inexperienced / gray. The species’ lengthy, thick fur retains warmth, and its massive toes allow it to stroll over snow with out sinking.
It’s estimated that there are fewer than 3,500 grownup snow leopards within the wild. Threats to the species embrace habitat loss and searching.
Southern Tiger Cat
- Various identify: Southern tigrina
- Scientific identify: Leopardus guttulus
- Subfamily: Felinae
- The place discovered: South America
- Conservation standing: Weak
The southern tiger cat is a small wild cat present in brazil, japanese Paraguay and northern Argentina. Till not too long ago (2013), it was thought of to be a subspecies of oncilla.
The southern tiger cat has a yellow-brown coat marked with rosettes. It inhabits a spread of habitats, together with rainforests and savannas.
Sunda Clouded Leopard
- Scientific identify: Neofelis diardi
- Subfamily: Pantherinae
- The place discovered: Borneo; Sumatra; Different Southeast Asian islands
- Conservation standing: Weak
The Sunda clouded leopard was recognized as being a separate species to the clouded leopard in 2006. The species is native to the Southeast Asian islands Sumatra and Borneo.
This elusive wild cat has a medium-sized, muscular physique with a placing coat sample consisting of enormous, cloud-like spots and rosettes on a golden-yellow to grayish background. This distinctive coat helps the Sunda clouded leopard mix seamlessly into the dense rainforests it inhabits.
Sunda clouded leopards are recognized for his or her massive canines relative to their dimension. They’re primarily solitary and nocturnal hunters, preying on numerous small to medium-sized mammals and birds. Their secretive nature and cryptic look make them a fascinating and barely seen species of their pure habitat.
There are round 4,500 Sunda clouded leopards of breeding age within the wild, a determine regarded as lowering. The decline is due primarily to deforestation attributable to logging and the conversion of forests into oil palm plantations.
Sunda Leopard Cat
- Scientific identify: Prionailurus javanensis
- Subfamily: Felinae
- The place discovered: Southeast Asia
- Conservation standing: Unassessed
The Sunda leopard cat is a small wild cat discovered on a number of Southeast Asian islands, together with Borneo, Sumatra and Java. Till not too long ago, it was thought of a subspecies of the leopard cat present in mainland Asia.
The Sunda leopard cat has lengthy legs and a slender physique. Its fur is orange-brown with black spots, patches and contours. It inhabits quite a lot of forests, and can also be present in grasslands. It preys primarily on rodents.
Tiger
- Scientific identify: Panthera tigris
- Subfamily: Pantherinae
- The place discovered: Asia
- Conservation standing: Endangered
The tiger is the biggest species of cat on this planet. Giant males can attain weights of over 350 kg / 770 lb. and have whole body-tail lengths of three.9m / 12.8 ft.
The tiger has a fragmented inhabitants throughout Asia, and is present in habitats as numerous as snow-covered Siberian forests and tropical mangrove swamps.
Regardless of the tiger being one of many world’s most recognizable animals, it’s an endangered species. Solely round 3,000 tigers of breeding age are left within the wild; there are presently extra tigers in captivity than there are within the wild.
Biologists disagree over the variety of tiger subspecies; current analysis has recognized simply two subspecies: a mainland subspecies, and one discovered on the Higher Sunda Islands.
Different biologists imagine that as much as 9 tiger subspecies exist, together with well-known subspecies such because the Siberian Tiger and the Bengal Tiger.
- Yow will discover out extra about tigers on this web page: Tiger Details
Desk Of All Species In The Cat Household Felidae
The desk beneath comprises info on all 40 sorts of wild cats and the home cat:
| English Identify | Scientific Identify | Subfamily | Lineage | The place Discovered | Conservation Standing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| African Golden Cat | Caracal aurata | Felinae | Caracal | Africa | Weak |
| African Wildcat | Felis lybica | Felinae | Home Cat | Africa; Asia | Least Concern |
| Andean Mountain Cat | Leopardus jacobita | Felinae | Ocelot | South America | Endangered |
| Asian Golden Cat | Catopuma temminckii | Felinae | Bay Cat | Asia | Close to Threatened |
| Bay Cat | Catopuma badia | Felinae | Bay Cat | Asia | Endangered |
| Black-Footed Cat | Felis nigripes | Felinae | Home Cat | Africa | Weak |
| Bobcat | Lynx rufus | Felinae | Lynx | North America | Least Concern |
| Canada Lynx |
Lynx canadensis | Felinae | Lynx | North America | Least Concern |
| Caracal | Caracal caracal | Felinae | Caracal | Africa; Asia | Least Concern |
| Cheetah | Acinonyx jubatus | Felinae | Puma | Africa | Weak |
| Chinese language Mountain Cat | Felis bieti | Felinae | Home Cat | Asia | Weak |
| Clouded Leopard | Neofelis nebulosa | Pantherinae | Panthera | Asia | Weak |
| Home Cat | Felis catus | Felinae | Home Cat | All continents besides Antarctica | Home |
| Eurasian lynx | Lynx lynx | Felinae | Lynx | Europe | Least Concern |
| European Wildcat | Felis silvestris | Felinae | Home Cat | Europe | Least Concern |
| Fishing Cat | Prionailurus viverrinus | Felinae | Leopard Cat | Asia | Weak |
| Flat-Headed Cat | Prionailurus planiceps | Felinae | Leopard Cat | Asia | Endangered |
| Geoffroy’s Cat | Leopardus geoffroyi | Felinae | Ocelot | South America | Least Concern |
| Iberian Lynx | Lynx pardinus | Felinae | Lynx | Europe | Endangered |
| Jaguar | Panthera onca | Pantherinae | Panthera | South America | Close to Threatened |
| Jaguarundi | Herpailurus yagouaroundi | Felinae | Puma | South America | Least Concern |
| Jungle Cat | Felis chaus | Felinae | Home Cat | Asia | Least Concern |
| Kodkod | Leopardus guigna | Felinae | Ocelot | South America | Weak |
| Leopard | Panthera pardus | Pantherinae | Panthera | Africa; Asia | Weak |
| Leopard Cat | Prionailurus bengalensis | Felinae | Leopard Cat | Asia | Least Concern |
| Lion | Panthera leo | Pantherinae | Panthera | Africa; Asia | Weak |
| Marbled Cat | Pardofelis marmorata | Felinae | Bay Cat | Asia | Close to Threatened |
| Margay | Leopardus wiedii | Felinae | Ocelot | South America | Close to Threatened |
| Mountain Lion | Puma concolor | Felinae | Puma | North America; South America | Least Concern |
| Ocelot | Leopardus pardalis | Felinae | Ocelot | South America; Central America | Least Concern |
| Oncilla | Leopardus tigrinus | Felinae | Ocelot | South America | Weak |
| Pallas’s Cat | Otocolobus manul | Felinae | Leopard Cat | Asia | Least Concern |
| Pampas Cat | Leopardus colocolo | Felinae | Ocelot | South America | Close to Threatened |
| Rusty-Noticed Cat | Prionailurus rubiginosus | Felinae | Leopard Cat | Asia | Close to Threatened |
| Sand Cat | Felis margarita | Felinae | Home Cat | Asia; Africa | Least Concern |
| Serval | Leptailurus serval | Felinae | Caracal | Africa | Least Concern |
| Snow Leopard | Panthera uncia | Pantherinae | Panthera | Asia | Weak |
| Southern Tiger Cat | Leopardus guttulus | Felinae | Ocelot | South America | Weak |
| Sunda Clouded Leopard | Neofelis diardi | Pantherinae | Panthera | Asia | Weak |
| Sunda Leopard Cat | Prionailurus javanensis | Felinae | Leopard Cat | Asia | Unassessed |
| Tiger | Panthera tigris | Pantherinae | Panthera | Asia | Endangered |
Wild Cats Checklist: Conclusion
Wild cats species are present in temperate and tropical areas of all continents besides Australia and Antarctica, in habitats starting from deserts to rainforests.
Over half of all wild cat species are presently threatened. A number of wild cat species are endangered, together with one of many best-known sorts of wild cat: the tiger.
Cats, being obligate carnivores, require not solely appropriate habitat for themselves, but in addition for his or her prey. Many cats on the checklist above are adversely affected by habitat loss, and a number of other cat species are nonetheless being persecuted by people.
Uncover Extra With Lively Wild
You possibly can see a listing of all wild cats present in North America on this web page: Wild Cats Of North America
Go to our most important animals web page for hyperlinks to animal info and an entire information to the animal kingdom: Animals
You possibly can see all members of the canine household on this web page: Varieties Of Wild Canine
You possibly can see each kind of bear on this web page: Varieties Of Bears
Yow will discover out extra about mammals on this web page: Mammals – The Final Information
Uncover several types of mammals on this web page: Varieties of Mammals