If you share our love for the majestic and powerful Gatos grandes, you are in the right place! Did you know that the Big Cat grouping actually only refers to the 5 species of the Panthera genus? Namely the Lion, Tiger, Leopard, Jaguar, and Snow Leopard. But, out of our interest (and love) for these animals, we include the Cheetah and Cougar in the Big Cat category.
All 7 of these cats belong to the Felidae family. The “true” Big Cats belong to the subfamily pantherinae, while the Cheetah and Cougar belong to the subfamily Felinos. The Big Cats of the Panteras subfamily share similar physical characteristics, such as their skeletal structure, muscle composition, and behaviors. And the same goes for the two belonging to the subfamily Felinae.
Crescendo em África do Sul has allowed me the wonderful opportunity to experience the Lion and Cheetah roaming in the wild. These experiences left me in awe and filled with respect for these animals. And I hope that through the information you find here, you will be too! Feel free to ask me any questions in the comments below.
Jump to any section or enjoy the entire article on Big Cats.
Big Cats Overview
7 Types of Big Cat Species and their Sub-species
As we mentioned earlier, we are exploring the seven Big Cat species, and here is a list compiled of these species and their living sub-species!
#1 Lion (Pantera leo)
- North African Lion (Panthera leo leo sensu stricto)
- Leão Asiático (Panthera leo leo persica)
#2 Tigre (Panthera tigris)
- Bengal Tiger (Panthera tigris tigris)
- Tigre siberiano (Panthera tigris altaica)
- South China Tiger (Panthera tigris amoyensis)
- Indochinese Tiger (Panthera tigre corbetti)
- Malayan Tiger (Panthera tigris jacksoni)
- Sumatran Tiger (panthera tigris sumatrae)
#3 Jaguar (Pantera onca)
#4 Leopardo da neve (Panthera uncia)
#5 leopardo (Panthera pardus)
- leopardo (Panthera pardus)
- Leopardo Africano (Panthera pardus pardus)
- leopardo indiano (Panthera pardus fusca)
- Javan Leopard (Panthera pardus melas)
- Leopardo Árabe (Panthera pardus nimr)
- Leopardo da Anatólia (Panthera pardus tulliana)
- Leopardo amur (Panthera pardus orientalis)
- Indochinese Leopard (Panthera pardus elacouri)
- Sri Lankan Leopard (Panthera pardus kotiya)
#6 Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus)
- Southeast African Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus jabatus)
- Chita Asiática (Acinonyx jubatus venaticus)
- Northeast African Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus soemmeringii)
- Northwest African Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus hecki)
#7 puma (Puma concolor)
- South American Cougar (Puma concolor concolor)
- North American Cougar (Puma concolor couguar)
How Many Big Cat Species Are There?
In the above list, we mentioned the 7 species we consider as Big Cats. Many of these species have subspecies, and many are known by different names! Like the Cougar, who is often referred to as the Mountain Lion or Puma.
All of these feline creatures belong to the family Felidae, and it is likely that you have heard of some, if not all, of them! These animals are considered apex predators with their powerful physiques, sharp claws, and keen senses. These carnivores hunt a variety of different mammals, depending on their habitat and size.
Most of the Big Cats are solitary animals, hunting alone, except for Lions who live and hunt in prides. Also, did you know that it is mainly the female Lion who hunts?
Where Do Big Cats Live?
The Big Cats live in a variety of habitats around the world, and each of these felines is adapted to their different environments. Take the Snow Leopard for example, they have thick coats of a paler color to keep them warm and blend into the snow-covered habitats they roam. Here are some of the places where the Big Cats can be found in the wild:
- África: Here the Lion, Cheetah, and leopardo roam a variety of habitats. Including savannas, sub-saharan territories, and grasslands.
- Asia: Here you’ll find Lions, Tigres, and Snow Leopards in habitats ranging from granite rocky areas to snowy mountain ranges to jungles.
- América do Sul: Here you’ll find the Jaguar roaming through jungles, rainforests, and savannas. While the Cougar ranges over a large variety of habitats like rocky areas, grasslands, swamps, and lowland tropical forests.
- América Central: Here Cougars are also found in their wide range of habitats.
It has to be noted that these Big Cats can be found across the world where they live in sanctuaries and zoos.
Learn More About Big Cats
Cheetah Jumps Into Safari Car Forcing Man to Freeze in Place For 10 Minutes
These are the Best Places to See Jaguars In The Wild
Female Tiger Showdown For Dominance
Cubs Meet Adult Tiger for the First Time
Tiniest Tiger Cub Brave Journey From Being Rescued To A Wild Man Now
Tiger acorrentou toda a sua vida dá seus primeiros passos livres
Most Popular Big Cat Species
| Gato grande | Nome científico | Tamanho | Estado de conservação | Fato engraçado |
| leão | Panthera leo | Males: About 9 feet long & weigh up to 500 pounds.Females: About 8 feet long & weigh about 350 pounds. | Vulnerável | They are the only Big Cats that roar together – even the cubs join in! |
| tigre | Panthera tigris | Siberian Tigers are the largest at 10 feet and 660 pounds. | Ameaçadas | Their stripes are unique to each individual – just like human fingerprints! |
| Jaguar | Panthera onca | About 8 feet and 330 pounds. | Quase ameaçada | They have the strongest bite of all Big Cats! |
| leopardo | Panthera pardus | About 10 feet including their tails, and weighs 110 – 200 pounds. | Vulnerável | Females tease males to mate by leaving their scent around and waiting for the males to find them. |
| Leopardo da neve | Onça Panthera | Around 8 feet including their tails, and weighs 77 – 120 pounds. | Vulnerável | They can leap 30 feet in one go! |
| Cheetah | Acinonyx jubatus | Just under 8 feet including their tails, and weighs 75 – 140 pounds. | Vulnerável | They are the fastest animals on earth – sprinting at 75 mph! |
| Cougar (Mountain Lion/Puma) | Puma concolor | 7 – 8 feet long and weighs 90 – 175 pounds. | Menor preocupação | Cubs are born with spots on their bodies to help them camouflage. These disappear as they age! |
Can All Big Cats Roar?
It is a common misconception that all Big Cats can roar, however only four of the species can! The ability to roar is limited to four of the Panthera species, namely the Lion, Tiger, Jaguar, and Leopard. These felines have a special hyoid bone in their throats that allows them to produce the deep and powerful roars we know these animals for, however they cannot purr.
The Snow Leopard, also a member of the Panthera genus, the Cheetah, and the Cougar do not have the same specialized bone and subsequently neither the ability to roar. However, these Big Cats communicate by purring, hissing, and other vocalizations.
Big Cat Records
Leopardo tentou salvar o dia tentando resolver uma briga entre Mamba Negra e Águia
Encantador filhote de leopardo da neve estreia no zoológico do condado de Milwaukee
Leopard Attacks Two Men Near South Africa’s Kruger National Park
Tigre, urso e leão vivem juntos como amigos
Orangotango cuida de filhotes de tigre
Hora do banho Jaguar na Flórida
7 Big Cat Facts That Surprised Me
- Cougars hold the Guinness World Record for the animal with the most names, with over 40 names in English alone.
- Jaguars don’t just have spots, they have spots inside their spots.
- Leopards don’t have a breeding season and give birth to cubs at any time of the year.
- Lions are the only social animals of the Big Cats. They even show affection through grooming and cuddling in their prides.
- Snow Leopards’ front legs are shorter than their hind legs. The shorter front legs make landing from their impressive jumps aided by their long hind legs easier.
- Tigers love swimming!
- Cheetahs only need to drink water every three to four days.
Images & Videos of Big Cats
Big Cat News
Leopardo tentou salvar o dia tentando resolver uma briga entre Mamba Negra e Águia
Elefante surpreso borrifa água em leão
Encantador filhote de leopardo da neve estreia no zoológico do condado de Milwaukee
Stranded Lion Gets Attacked by Hippos
Leopard Attacks Two Men Near South Africa’s Kruger National Park
Tigre, urso e leão vivem juntos como amigos
Orangotango cuida de filhotes de tigre
Leoa adota um bebê antílope
Hora do banho Jaguar na Flórida
Lion Surprises Tourists With Cuddles!
Anaconda Battles Jaguar for Survival in Brazil
This Cat is Known as the “Ghost of the Mountains”
Big Cat FAQ’s
Why are Big Cats considered Big Cats?
The felines that fall into the Big Cat category are due to their apex predator status. These cats are at the top of the food chain and have no predators of their own. The second reason might be a bit self-explanatory, but these animals have to be part of the Feline family! 🙂
Are Big Cats endangered?
Most of the Big Cat species are considered endangered to a certain extent, some more than others. This is partly due to habitat loss, illegal poaching, and human-wildlife conflict.
What is the biggest Big Cat?
The Siberian Tiger, also known as the Amur Tiger, is the biggest of the Big Cat species! Found in China and Russia, these tigers weigh 660 pounds and measure 10 feet in length!
Who is stronger, the Lion or the Tiger?
Both the Lion and the Tiger are incredibly strong Big Cats. However, when compared the Tiger would be stronger due to its bigger size and higher muscle mass than the Lion. However, if comparing their pound-to-pound bite force, the Lion would win!
Do Big Cats see humans as prey?
Overall, Big Cats do not see humans as prey. Attacks have been recorded, but usually occur when these felines feel threatened, are under dire circ*mstances, are desperate for food, or if humans are alone and vulnerable in their habitat. However, Tigers have been recorded to be responsible for the most human deaths from direct attacks than any other wild animal!
What Makes Big Cats Successful Apex Predators?
Firstly, Big Cats do not have any predators of their own, placing them at the top of the food chain! These felines have many physical attributes like their powerful muscular bodies allowing them incredible strength and speeds to overpower prey. They also have keen senses of sight, smell, and hearing aiding them in locating prey. After which their camouflaging and stealthy stalking capabilities allow them to use a variety of hunting techniques, such as ambushing, stalking, chasing and pursuit, swimming, and group hunting! Finally, their claws, strong jaws, and sharp teeth allow them to deliver fatal bites quickly and efficiently to their prey.
Big Cat Conservation
As mentioned earlier, Big Cats are under various levels of threat for extinction and some species have already gone extinct! Their conservation is a worldwide effort to protect these magnificent creatures from the habitat loss, poaching, and human conflicts they experience daily.
Organizations around the world use strategies like anti-poaching patrols, habitat restoration, and the creation of Big Cat sanctuaries and protected areas to supply safe environments for these animals. Conservationists are also pushing for stricter laws and regulations regarding the illegal trade of wildlife, and educating local communities on the importance of keeping these animals safe to maintain healthy ecosystems and biodiversity.
Through education, research, and international cooperation the aim is to keep these Big Cats safe and secure futures where they can thrive in the wild where they belong.
My Experience with Big Cats
When I was little, maybe 7 or 8, I went to a Big Cat Sanctuary in South Africa. And that was my first experience with one of the Big Cats. I remember holding a Cheetah cub while its mother was supervising, and experiencing a sense of colliding fear and admiration! In awe that these magnificent animals animals and I are sharing a moment.
Later on in my life, I had the same feeling when I saw a Lion hunting in the Parque Nacional Kruger. This time, the Big Cat was roaming freely and doing what she does best. A truly breathtaking moment!
These experiences fueled my love and respect for Big Cats. Knowing that these agile, beautiful, and powerful creatures roam, hunt, and sometimes even play on the same earth where humans live in houses in cities, just highlights the remarkable diversity of life on our planet. While emphasizing the importance of conservation to ensure these magnificent animals roam and thrive for many years to come.
Learn more about mammals:
- Primatas
- Roedores
- Bears
