Wild Cats

Types of Wild Cats Genus Acinonyx Cheetah Facts Genus Caracal Genus Caracal Genus Felis Genus Felis Genus Leopardus Margay Ocelot Genus Lynx Bobcat Lynx Genus Neofelis Clouded Leopards Genus Otocolobus Pallas's Cat Genus Panthera Jaguar Leopard Facts Lion Snow Leopard Types of Tigers Genus Pardofelis Genus Pardofelis Genus Prionailurus Genus Prionailurus Genus Puma Mountain Lion Types of Animals

The cat family (Felidae), a diverse family of animals, live in a variety of grassland and forest habitats in Africa, Asia, Europe and the Americas.

Felidae typology is subject to dispute, however, currently the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) recognizes eleven genera: (For a similar, but slightly different take on the topic see The Evolution of Cats)

• Acinonyx (Cheetah) 1 species
• Caracal (2 species)
• Felis (4 species)
• Leopardus (8 species)
• Lynx (4 species)
• Neofelis (Clouded Leopard) 2 species
• Otocolobus (1 species)
• Panthera (5 species)
• Pardofelis (3 species)
• Prionailurus (4 species)
• Puma (2 species)

and thirty six different species, with additional subspecies.

Felidae often get informally categorized as either big cats or small cats, a distinction that refers to the composition of the hyroid bone. Big cats have a flexible hyroid bone, enabling them to roar. Small cats have a rigid hyroid bone, which allows them to purr rather than roar.

Typically the members of the Genus Panthera, lions, tigers, jaguars and leopards are called the big cats.

Members of the Felis genus rank among the smallest of the small cats, and they are considered the ancestors of the domestic cat.

The Leopardus genus, the largest in terms of number of species, are New World cats, differentiated from their Old World relatives based on their chromosome make-up.

All the wild cats, share common physical traits, including keen eyesight, round heads, whiskers, and retractable claws. Stealth and grace are two common adjectives applied to their behavior.

Most, if not all, of the small cats are solitary, nocturnal hunters, that seek size appropriate prey such as fish, birds, rodents and reptiles within their territory.

Like most other animal families, wild cat populations continue to be stressed by habitat encroachment, and in some instances hunting. To date, most conservation efforts and media attention has focused on the status of the big cats.

The links on the right take you to more detailed descriptions of either specific wild cat species or wild cat genera.

© 2010 Patricia A. Michaels