There are approximately 36 different species of wild cats that are currently recognized by scientists. These range in size from the small, tree-dwelling margay and ocelot, to the large and powerful tiger and lion.
Some of the other well-known wild cat species include the puma (also known as the cougar or mountain lion), the jaguar, the lynx, the clouded leopard, the fishing cat, the flat-headed cat, the sand cat and the oncilla among others.
However, this number may change as new species of wild cats are discovered and some are reclassified, and also the conservation status of these cats vary, some of them are critically endangered and some are endangered.
Let's discover the wild cats from around the world...
The Jaguar (Panthera onca) is a large wild cat found in the Americas, primarily in the rainforests of Central and South America, but also in the southern United States and Mexico. They have a distinctive coat pattern of black spots that form circular rosettes, and are known for their powerful bite. They are solitary animals, and are considered apex predators, hunting a wide range of prey, from small mammals to large ungulates. They are considered Near Threatened by IUCN Red List, mainly due to habitat loss, hunting for their fur, and human-wildlife conflict.
The African Lion (Panthera leo) is a large wild cat found in Africa. They are social animals, living in groups called prides that typically consist of several females and one or more males. They are apex predators, known for their powerful roar, and hunting large prey such as zebras and buffaloes. They are considered Vulnerable by IUCN Red List, mainly due to habitat loss, hunting, and human-wildlife conflict.
The Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) is a large wild cat found in Africa and parts of Iran. They are known for their speed and are able to reach speeds of up to 75 mph, making them the fastest land animal. They are solitary animals and are primarily found in savannas and grasslands, and have a characteristic "tear stripe" running from the inside corner of their eyes down the side of their nose. They are considered Vulnerable by IUCN Red List, mainly due to habitat loss, poaching, and human-wildlife conflict.
The Clouded leopard (Neofelis nebulosa) is a wild cat found in the forests of South and Southeast Asia. They are known for their distinctive coat pattern, which is characterized by large, cloud-like spots. They are arboreal and solitary animals, known for their strong and sharp claws, which they use to climb trees and catch their prey. They are considered as Vulnerable by IUCN Red List, mainly due to habitat loss, hunting, and also capturing for trade of their fur and bones.
Lynx
Lynx is a genus of wild cats, and there are four species of lynx: the Canada lynx, the Eurasian lynx, the Iberian lynx, and the bobcat. They have short, stubby tails, large padded paws for walking on snow, and distinctive "tufts" of black hair on the tips of their ears. They are found in various habitats, from the boreal forests of Canada, to the mountains of Europe and Asia, and are known for their distinctive "bobbed" tail. Their population and conservation status vary by species, but they are generally considered to be of Least Concern by IUCN Red List.
Fishing Cat
The Fishing Cat (Prionailurus viverrinus) is a medium-sized wild cat found in the wetlands of South and Southeast Asia. They are good swimmers, and are known to prey on fish, crustaceans, and amphibians. They have webbed paws, which help them to swim efficiently, and also short, dense fur which help them to move in water. They are considered as Vulnerable by IUCN Red List, mainly due to habitat loss, hunting and also capture for trade of their fur.
Oncilla
The Oncilla (Leopardus tigrinus) also known as the Little Spotted Cat, is a small wild cat found in the forests of Central and South America. They have a short, soft, and thick coat with a distinctive pattern of dark spots and stripes on a yellow or tawny background. They are nocturnal and arboreal, and are known to prey on small mammals, birds, and reptiles. They are considered as Vulnerable by IUCN Red List mainly due to habitat loss and hunting for their fur.
The leopard (Panthera pardus) is a wild cat found in a wide range of habitats in Africa and Asia. They are known for their distinctive coat pattern of rosette spots and their ability to climb trees. They are solitary animals and are apex predators, known to prey on a wide range of animals, from small mammals to large ungulates. They are considered as Near Threatened by IUCN Red List, mainly due to habitat loss, poaching, and human-wildlife conflict.
Flat-Headed Cat
The Flat-Headed Cat (Prionailurus planiceps) is a small wild cat native to Southeast Asia. They have a distinctive flattened head, large eyes and ears, and short legs. They are semi-aquatic and are known to hunt fish and crustaceans in the rivers and streams. They are considered as Vulnerable by IUCN Red List, mainly due to habitat loss, hunting, and also capture for trade of their fur.
Sand Cat
The Sand Cat (Felis margarita) is a small wild cat native to deserts and other arid regions of Northern Africa and Central Asia. They have thick, sandy-colored fur that helps them blend in with their desert environments. They are active both during the day and at night, and they prey on small mammals, reptiles, and insects. They are considered as Vulnerable by IUCN Red List, mainly due to habitat loss, hunting and trapping for their fur.
Puma
The Puma (Puma concolor), also known as the mountain lion or cougar, is a large wild cat native to the Americas. They have a tawny or reddish-brown coat and a long, heavy tail. They are apex predators, known to prey on a wide range of animals, from deer to mountain goats. They are solitary animals, and their population and distribution vary widely across their range. They are considered as Least Concern by IUCN Red List, but their population is decreasing in some areas due to hunting, habitat loss and also human-wildlife conflict.
Margay
The Margay (Leopardus wiedii) is a small wild cat found in the forests of Central and South America. They have a similar appearance to the ocelot, but are smaller and have a more slender build. They are arboreal and are known for their agility and ability to climb trees. They are nocturnal and are known to prey on small mammals, birds, and reptiles. They are considered as Near Threatened by IUCN Red List, mainly due to habitat loss, hunting, and also capture for trade of their fur.
Ocelot
The Ocelot (Leopardus pardalis) is a small wild cat found in the forests of Central and South America. They have a distinctive coat pattern of black spots and rosettes on a tawny or reddish-brown background. They are nocturnal and are known to prey on small mammals, birds, and reptiles. They are considered as Near Threatened by IUCN Red List, mainly due to habitat loss, hunting, and also capture for trade of their fur.
The Tiger (Panthera tigris) is a large wild cat found in Asia, primarily in India, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Russia. They have a distinctive coat pattern of orange or golden fur with black stripes. Tigers are apex predators and known for their power and strength, hunting a wide range of prey from deer to wild cattle. Tigers are solitary animals, except for mothers with cubs. Tigers are considered as Endangered by IUCN Red List, mainly due to habitat loss, hunting for their fur and bones, and also human-wildlife conflict. Tigers have lost 93% of their historical range, and their populations have decreased by more than 95% over the past century.
The Snow Leopard is a large cat native to the mountain ranges of Central and South Asia. It is an endangered species, with an estimated population of 4,000 to 6,500 individuals in the wild.
Pallas's Cat also known as Manul, is a small wild cat species that is found in the grasslands and montane steppes of Central Asia. It is considered to be a near-threatened species, with an estimated population of around 2,500 to 9,000 individuals in the wild.
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