Predatory felines. The most beautiful and graceful predators are big cats (40 photos)

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Everyone loves cats. Or almost everything.

We are in the editorial website we simply adore these graceful and majestic creatures that truly adorn our planet. Today we invite you to get acquainted with rare cats, many of which we have not even heard of. Until this day.

1. Black-footed cat

One of the smallest felines, the black-footed cat is native to southern Africa. Its weight rarely exceeds 2.5 kg, and its length, including the tail, is 50 cm. The lifestyle and habits of these cats are poorly understood, but it is known that they choose abandoned termite mounds and porcupine burrows as their home.

2. Fishing cat

Unlike most members of the family, the angler cat swims and catches fish very well. Their paws are also not like everyone else's - fishermen have membranes between their fingers, which help them swim well, but do not allow them to retract their claws. Although their body size is not so large - the length of the male rarely exceeds 1.2 m, these cats have gained a reputation as fighters: once a cat kept in one of the zoos broke out of the cage and killed the leopard.

3. Pyrenean lynx

The Pyrenean lynx is one of the rarest felines whose existence is threatened. Once these big cats inhabited all of Portugal and Spain, but today their habitat is practically limited to the Coto Doñana National Park. Despite the name, it is distantly related to the common lynx and is 2 times smaller in size.

4. Jaguarundi

The jaguarundi is one of the few felines that are diurnal. Jaguarundis live in Central and South America, but it is quite difficult to see them in the wild, which is why the animals are little studied. Scientists do not even have data on their life expectancy - it is only known that in captivity they live up to 15 years.

5. Chilean cat

The Chilean cat, which lives in the southern region of South America, spends most of its life in the dense canopy of trees, from where it tracks down its prey. Among the locals, the Chilean cat is considered a real vampire because of the two punctures from the fangs that she leaves on pets, which she fails to kill.

6. Long-tailed cat

A neighbor of the Chilean cat in South America, the long-tailed cat also spends most of its life in the crowns of trees. These cats have an amazing feature: they can jump from branch to branch and climb down from the tree head down - just like squirrels do. In addition, her hind legs are so strong that she can hang upside down on them for quite a long time.

7. Rusty cat

The rusty cat is one of the smallest representatives of the cat, whose weight reaches no more than 1.5 kg. These babies, whose population does not exceed 10 thousand individuals, live only in Ceylon and India, and if the "island" cats live in the humid jungle, then the "continental" ones live in arid open places. The meowing of these cats is very similar to the meowing of domestic ones, and it is quite easy to tame them.

8 Clouded Leopard

If the length of an ordinary leopard, excluding the tail, can reach 190 cm, then the smoky ones grow no more than 1 m. It is believed that this particular cat became the progenitor of all large modern cats, but its habits are in many ways similar to the behavior of domestic cats. A significant part of the time clouded leopards spend on trees, in addition, females use hollows as "maternity hospitals".

9. Oncilla

A miniature copy of the jaguar, the oncilla is one of the least studied species among cats. Little is known about their way of life - despite the fact that they are found in Brazil, Argentina and several other countries, it is difficult to see them in their natural habitat, because their color allows them to hide perfectly in the crowns of trees.

10. Dune cat

In addition to Central Asia, dune cats live in one of the most extreme places on our planet - in the arid Sahara desert. These cats are the smallest representatives of wild cats, whose length is no more than 90 cm, of which almost half falls on the tail. Sand cats can live for a long time without water, getting its supplies from food.

11. Forest cat

Despite the significant difference in appearance, the forest cat is the closest relative of the dune cat. But in color they resemble ordinary striped domestic cats, and this is not surprising, because it was wild cats that 10 thousand years ago nailed to humans and became the ancestors of our pets. However, modern wild cats do not at all strive for closeness to humans and try to stay away from him.

12. Geoffrey's cat

The size of the Geoffroy cat, which lives in the southern part of the South American continent, is the same as that of an ordinary domestic cat, moreover, they are quite capable of interbreeding. However, unlike domestic cats, Geoffroy's cats can swim and can eat "hand-caught" fish. In addition, they are able to store food by arranging storage in the foliage of trees.

Do you know that there are currently 41 cat species in the world? They are all wild. Absolutely all predatory. Many of the species and subspecies are on the verge of extinction. In this article I would like to show all the diversity and beauty of the cat family. But first, I would like you not to get confused in terms.

So, all cats belong to the order of predators, and then this order is divided into two suborders: canines and felines. Cats include hyenas, mongooses, viverrids, and felids. They are all very distant relatives, but cats are only those who are part of the cat family!

The whole cat family is divided into subfamilies: small cats and big cats.

Each subfamily is in turn divided into genera. Especially a lot of them in the subfamily of small cats:

Genus Cheetahs (Acinonyx)
- genus Caracals (Caracal)
- catopuma genus (Catopuma)
- genus Cats (Felis)
- genus Tiger cats (Leopardus)
- genus Servals (Leptailurus)
- genus Lynx (Lynx)
- genus Marble cats (Pardofelis)
- genus Asiatic cats (Prionailurus)
- genus Golden cats (Profelis)
- genus Puma (Puma)

In the subfamily of big cats, everything is simpler:

- genus Clouded leopards (Neofelis)
- genus Panther (Panther)

Now that we have determined which family cats belong to and divided them into subfamilies and genera, it remains to divide them into species! And just these species are 41 pieces. Each type is shown below.
Most likely, you will try to find among all the species below your domestic cat breed or, for example, the Far Eastern leopard. And you won't find them. Why? Because your domestic cat, like the Far Eastern leopard, are subspecies.

To make it easier for you to understand what a subspecies means, I will show you with an example where your domestic cat is in the chain:

Family - felines / subfamily - small cats / genus - cats (felis) / species - forest cat / subspecies - your breed of domestic cat

And the Far Eastern leopard is here:

Family - felines / subfamily - big cats / genus - panther (Panthera) / species - leopards / subspecies - Far Eastern leopard.

I will describe the subspecies separately, otherwise this article will turn into such a long one that only a cat maniac like me can read it at once!

Well, now let's finally get acquainted with all types of cats and admire them:

Subfamily - Small cats (Felinae)

genus - Cheetahs (Acinonyx)

species - cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus):

genus - Caracals (Caracal)

view - :

genus - catopums (Catopuma)

view - Kalimantan cat (Catopuma bada):

view - Asian golden cat (Temminka cat) (Catopuma temmincki):

genus - Cats (Felis)

view - Chinese cat (Gobian gray cat) (Felis bieti):

view - reed cat (House) (Felis chaus):

view - ):

view - (Felis margarita):

view - :

view - forest cat (Felis silvestris). This is just the subspecies of the forest cat - your domestic cat:

view - steppe cat (Felis libyca):

genus - Tiger cats (Leopardus)(not to be confused with leopards!)

view - :

view - pampas cat (Leopardus colocolo):




view - Geoffroy's cat (Leopardus geoffroyi):

view - Chilean cat (kodkod) (Leopardus guigna):

view - Andean cat (Leopardus jacobitus):

view - ocelot (Leopardus pardalis):

view - oncilla (Leopardus tigrinus):

view - long-tailed cat (margay, margay) (Leopardus wiedii):

genus - Servals (Leptailurus)

view - :

genus - Lynx (Lynx)

view - Canadian lynx (Lynx canadensis):

view - common lynx (Lynx lynx):

view - :

view - red lynx (Lynx rufus):

genus - Marble cats (Pardofelis)

- Marble cat (Pardofelis marmorata):

genus - Asian cats (Prionailurus)

- Bengal cat (Prionailurus bengalensis):

view - Iriomote cat (Prionailurus bengalensis iriomotensis):

view - Far Eastern forest cat (Prionailurus bengalensis euptilurus):

view - Sumatran cat (Prionailurus planiceps):

view - spotted red cat (Prionailurus rubiginosus):

view - fishing cat (Prionailurus viverrinus):

genus - Golden cats (Profelis)

view - :

genus - Cougars (Puma)

view - puma (Puma concolor):

The domestic cat has many wild relatives, large and small. All of them, despite noticeable differences in size, color and physiology, have much in common and are incredibly similar to their domesticated relative. All cats belong to the same family, Felidae. The cat family is divided into two subfamilies, Pantherinae and Felinae, i.e. big and small cats.

Such a classification is not based at all on size, as it might seem at first glance, but on morphological features, in particular, on the structure of the hyoid bone. Because of this, such large cats as the puma and the cheetah do not fall into the subfamily of big cats. At one time, the division into large and small cats was associated with the ability of cats to make certain sounds. It was believed that due to the structure of the hyoid bone, big cats (Pantherinae) can growl, while small cats (Felinae) cannot. However, now scientists have come to the conclusion that the ability to growl is based on other morphological features, primarily on the elasticity and length of the vocal cords. In this regard, the clouded leopard and snow leopard are big cats, although they do not know how to growl.

While felines express their anger in different ways - roaring or purring - a sign of peace and pleasure in all felines, large and small, is purring. The only difference is that big cats can only purr on exhalation, while small cats can purr both on exhalation and on inhalation.

Of course, the differences between the representatives of the cat family are not limited to this. The subfamily of big cats includes 3 genera, small cats - 11 genera. Genera, in turn, are divided into species. Here, scientists have not yet come to a consensus - the whole variety of wild cats can be divided into species in many ways, therefore, cat species, depending on the method of classification, there are from 35 to 38. Some scientists distinguish some wild cats into a separate species, while others consider them a subspecies some kind.

This happens, for example, with the wild steppe cat (Felis silvestris lybica). Most biologists consider it a subspecies of the European forest cat (Felis silvestris). These wild cats are indeed similar - the same color, size, morphology and physiology. However, there are differences: the steppe cat lives in the steppes of Africa and Asia, and the European forest cat, as the name implies, lives in the forests. The habitat of the European forest cat lies to the north, so its coat is thicker and longer. The steppe cat is slimmer, has lighter bones and long legs. The colors, with all the similarities, are still different - there are no stripes on the body of the steppe cat. Because of all this, some scientists believe that the prairie cat and the European forest cat are two completely different species, and not subspecies of the same species.

Be that as it may, both the steppe cat and the European forest cat are the closest relatives of the domestic cat. Some wild cats have been successfully crossed with domestic cats in order to develop new breeds. The Siberian and Norwegian Forest breeds are most likely descended from the European Forest Cat (Felis silvestris). The Bengal breed was bred based on a relatively distant relative of the domestic cat, Prionailurus bengalensis (Bengal cat, a type of wild cat). From the crossing of a domestic cat with servals, the Savannah breed originated. It is believed that the Abyssinian breed was bred on the basis of the steppe cat (Felis silvestris lybica).

In total, eight species of the cat family live in Russia: in addition to the European forest cat, we can meet manul, reed cat, Far Eastern cat (a subspecies of the Bengal cat), lynx, snow leopard, leopard, tiger. The Amur tiger, by the way, is the largest representative of the cat family.

The cat family is divided into 2 subfamilies (large and small cats), which, in turn, are divided into genera and species. In total, there are 14 genera and 35-38 species in the family. The division into subfamilies of large and small cats occurs not by size, but by morphological features, in particular, by the structure of the hyoid bone. Because of this, large cats such as puma and cheetah do not belong to big cats.

8 species of the cat family live in Russia: leopard, tiger, snow leopard, common lynx, jungle cat, Far Eastern cat (a subspecies of the Bengal cat), manul and two subspecies of the European forest cat (Felis silvestris silvestris and Felis silvestris lybica). Wild cats are common on all continents and large islands, except for Australia, Antarctica, the islands of New Guinea, Sulawesi, Greenland and Madagascar. In Europe and North America, by now, most species of the cat family have been exterminated. Many species of the cat family are threatened with extinction. All types of wild cats are listed in the International Red Book.

a lion- one of the largest predators, only the tiger competes with it. The lion is very strong. With a paw strike, he knocks down a heavy zebra or buffalo, and at the same time, his flexible body easily soars to a height of three meters - a lion is capable of huge jumps, sometimes up to ten meters.

The length of the lion is on average up to three meters, the weight is about two hundred kilograms, the lionesses are smaller, more graceful, slimmer. Unlike other cats in a lion pair, it is easy to distinguish a male from a female.

Lions inhabit mainly savannahs. Unlike other felines, they tend not to live alone, in prides. A pride usually consists of related females, their offspring and 1-2 adult males. Lion cubs are born small, about 30 cm long. Only by the age of two do they become completely independent and able to feed themselves. The leader, as a rule, expels the matured young lions from the pride and can live alone or in pairs for some time. Lionesses and older males can also lead a solitary life, for one reason or another, having fought off the pride.

Lions prey mainly on large ungulates such as wildebeest, zebras, buffaloes and warthogs. They can attack elephants and hippos, as well as other predators - leopards, cheetahs, hyena dogs. Lions hunt in a group, and males, as a rule, almost do not participate in hunting.

The lioness is a self-possessed and patient huntress, waiting for her prey for hours not far from the watering place. In one jump, a predatory cat is on the back of an unlucky animal. Well, then it's a matter of technology - sharp claws and fangs are used.

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Since the time of Ancient Egypt, the lion has been a symbol of power; its image has adorned the coats of arms and banners of ancient Roman and European rulers. The highest praise for the noble knights was a comparison with a lion, and Richard the Lionheart became the embodiment of the best qualities of medieval chivalry.

The white lion, like the white tiger, has long been considered a mythological creature. Only at the end of the 20th century did scientists manage to see white lions and observe them in African national parks.

Back in the Middle Ages, lions inhabited the entire territory of Africa, except for the Sahara and tropical forests, India, the Middle East, Iran, and southern Europe. In particular, lions could be found in the south of Russia and in Greece. In Europe, lions disappeared in the early Middle Ages. By the end of the 19th century, the lion was exterminated in Turkey and Northern India, by the middle of the 20th century. - in Iran. Now in Africa, the lion lives only south of the Sahara, the range looks like scattered islands. In 2002-2004, the number of African lions was estimated at 16-47 thousand individuals. The Asiatic lion survived only in the Gir forest in the Indian state of Gujarat (about 320 individuals).

Tigers- the largest and most powerful wild cats. Of these, the Amur and Bengal tigers are endowed with a particularly powerful article. The strength of the tiger is incredible - with a paw strike, he knocks down a buffalo or antelope, but he can also fight with an elephant. Cases are described when tigers defeated large male elephants with huge fighting tusks.

Tigers are very hardy and mobile. They are able to travel great distances and develop high speed. In a short distance, a tiger can show results up to 70 km / h. And in the long jump, he has few equals - almost 10 meters with almost no run-up.

The tiger is always recognizable. In the vast majority of animals, the skin has characteristic black stripes on a reddish-red or yellow-rusty background. But in the same litter, along with cubs of the usual color, a white or golden-pink tiger cub can be born. The coat of a tiger living in northern latitudes is noticeably longer and lighter than that of its southern counterpart. A rich orange color with a clear pattern is good in the variegation of tropical vegetation, and in the snowy taiga, other equipment is needed.

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Hunting for tigers has been completely banned since the middle of the last century, but poachers continue their dirty work. In oriental medicine, the organs and body parts of this magnificent beast are still used for medicinal purposes, and the skin is used for souvenirs.

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White tigers are not albinos because their eyes are blue instead of red, and their fur is not radically white, but with clearly defined stripes of dark gray or light brown. White color interferes with hunting, because. too noticeable, so white tigers rarely survive in nature. For zoos and circuses, they are specially bred by crossing the descendants of a white tiger caught in India in the last century.

16. Golden Tiger (Siky Ranch Zoo)

Jaguar lives in the territory from Mexico to Argentina. In terms of strength and power, the jaguar ranks third, after the lion and tiger, in the cat family. In the United States, the jaguar was almost exterminated by the beginning of the 20th century. The jaguar is the largest feline in the Americas (tigers and lions are not found in America).

Jaguars are sometimes confused with cheetahs and leopards. In cheetahs, spots on the body do not form rosettes, the cheetah is thinner and slimmer than the leopard. The physique and color of the jaguar is very similar to the leopard, but the jaguar is larger and the rosettes on its skin have a dark spot in the middle.

Jaguars come out to hunt at dusk, before sunrise or after sunset. Everything that moves, a variety of small and large animals, becomes their prey. Few people manage to escape from its powerful paws and deadly teeth. The jaguar preys mainly on ungulates, but can also eat rodents, birds, monkeys, foxes, snakes, and turtles.

The jaguar doesn't care where he lives. And impenetrable thickets, and steppes, and the sea coast - everywhere he feels great. An agile cat moves equally well on the ground, climbs trees, and swims well. It is impossible to hide from such an enemy.

Leopard amazingly handsome. A slender body, harmonious proportions, and most importantly - magnificent golden fur, covered with an original pattern of dark spots, rings and rosettes. Fine fur became the reason for the merciless hunting of animals.

The area of ​​​​the range of the leopard is larger than the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe range of any other member of the cat family. The leopard lives in forests, steppes and mountains throughout sub-Saharan Africa and southeast Asia. There are relatively many leopards in Africa and hunting for them is allowed. In Asia, this species is threatened with extinction. In Russia, the leopard is found in the Primorsky Territory, is listed in the Red Book.

The leopard feeds mainly on ungulates: antelopes, deer, roe deer, it can also eat rodents, monkeys, birds. The leopard climbs trees well, in the heat it often sleeps on branches. He often drags the carcasses of dead ungulates into trees to protect them from hyenas and jackals.

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Black Panther- this is not a separate species of wild cats, but a leopard or less often a jaguar, in which melanism takes place - a hereditary change, as a result of which the coat has acquired a dark color.

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clouded leopard- not the result of a mutation of an ordinary leopard, which it looks a bit like, but another species of the cat family. The size of a sheepdog lives in the rainforests of Southeast Asia and Indonesia.

Clouded leopards are excellent tree climbers. The structure of the hind legs allows them to descend from the trees upside down. Among cats, except for smoky leopards, only long-tailed cats have this ability. Like long-tailed cats, clouded leopards can hang upside down from a tree, holding only their hind legs. They feed on deer, monkeys, porcupines and birds. They track down their prey, hiding in the branches of trees, and, seizing the moment, suddenly rush at their prey from above.

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The fangs in relation to the body size of the clouded leopard are the longest among all cats and can reach 5 cm, like a tiger.

Kalimantan clouded leopard previously considered a subspecies of the clouded leopard, however, DNA studies conducted in 2006-2008 showed that these are two different species. The Kalimantan clouded leopard, like its close relative, the clouded leopard, is the smallest species among the big cats.

The Kalimantan clouded leopard lives on the islands of Kalimantan and Sumatra. On the island of Kalimantan, where there are no other large predators, it is more common. In general, this is a rare and little studied species.

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puma, she is a mountain lion, she is a deer tiger, she is a cougar - many more names are given to this magnificent cat, a resident of the New World. Beauty and grace are combined in it with composure, prudence and ruthlessness.

Puma is a loner in the cat family. One hunts, one brings up cubs. Lives away from people, in wild places with impenetrable forest thickets, moss-covered rocks and caves.

The color of the puma varies depending on the habitat. The inhabitants of tropical regions have a reddish-sand-colored fur, while the northerners have gray tones. A special sign is white wool on the muzzle, as if the cat had just lapped milk.

The war that the farmers have declared on the cougar is caused by its devastating attacks on livestock. Once in the corral, the cougar kills many more animals than it eats, leaving behind a mountain of corpses.

The cougar kitten does not look like a mother at all, except for a white muzzle. The cubs are born spotted, but as they grow up, they become monochromatic.

Cheetah stands apart in the cat family, differing from the rest in body structure and behavior. But scientists have proven its close relationship with the North American cougar, with which he had a common ancestor who lived three million years ago.

The cheetah's body is built to run. A lean body, long legs, a flexible arched back, a small head with high-set small ears are ideal data for rushing after prey like a bullet.

Cheetahs, unlike lions, hunt during daylight hours or early dusk. Thanks to their excellent eyesight, they see the desired target from afar - an antelope, a gazelle or a hare. The cheetah first cautiously sneaks up on the victim, and then makes a swift throw. The cheetah does not continue the high-speed run for long, no more than twenty seconds. The heart and lungs of a fleet-footed animal do not have time to fill the blood with oxygen, and if during this time the prey is not overtaken, the chase stops.

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Cheetahs that have grown up among people become completely tame. In past centuries, hunting with cheetahs was common. They were led on a leash, and some of the animals sat on a horse behind the owner.

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Irbis- second name snow leopard, it is no less beautiful than the first. Irbis live high in the mountains, prey on roe deer, mountain goats and other large ungulates. But they do not disdain a hare or other trifle that gets in the way.

In nature, nothing is in vain. It would seem that the snow leopard does not need a long fluffy tail. But in severe frosts, the mother, like a warm blanket, covers little kittens sleeping next to her with her tail.

Snow leopards live up to their name. Their favorite entertainment is to wallow in a deep snowdrift or slide down an ice slide on their backs, having time to roll over at the last moment to fall on all fours, as a cat should.

Serval, or otherwise - bush cat - belongs to a large cat family. Servals are found on only one continent - they are common in Africa, except for the Sahara desert, the extreme south of Africa and equatorial forests.

There are 14 types of servals, they differ in geography of residence and skin color. In Algeria, Morocco, these animals are extremely rare in our time. Most bush cats live in Tanzania, the Ngoro-Ngoro crater, there are about 40 individuals per 100 square meters. kilometers.

The closest relatives of the serval (taking into account the peculiarities of morphology) are caracal and lynx, but in color it most of all resembles a cheetah. Of all the cats, the serval has the longest legs and the largest ears - when compared with the size of the whole body, but the head is very small.

The length of the body of a bush cat reaches 90-135 centimeters, the height at the withers is up to 65 centimeters, it weighs an average of 8 to 18 kilograms. The main color is yellowish-gray, dark spots and stripes are scattered on it. But, although the serval's legs are long and strong, it cannot pursue its prey for a long time. His hunting tactics are similar to those of a croak - he sneaks up on prey in the grass, focusing on hearing, and can make high jumps up to three meters, knocking down birds on takeoff.

Thanks to their large ears and excellent hearing, it is easy for them to track down their prey at dusk, and their long legs facilitate movement in the grass of the savannah. Servals are loners, rarely conflict with each other. If they are in danger, they hide or flee, suddenly changing direction or jumping out of the grass, in extreme cases they are saved in trees.

If the snow leopard is the highest mountain cat, then the usual lynx- the northernmost. She normally feels in the winter taiga at temperatures below 50 degrees. Wonderful thick, long and warm fur, which no other cat has, saves her from any frost.

The trademark of the lynx is the tassels on the ears formed by long hairs. Thanks to the brushes, it is easily recognizable among other wild cats. Like all its relatives, the lynx sees in the dark and climbs trees very well, the branches of which serve as shelter during the hunt.

Despite the relationship, the lynx and the domestic cat have many differences. Cats cannot walk in the snow - they fall through. The lynx, thanks to its wide paws with thick hair, runs through the snowdrifts like on skis.

Eurasian lynx- the largest of all lynxes. The length of her body is 80-130 cm, the height at the withers is 70 cm. Males weigh 18-30 kg, females average 18 kg. 90% of Eurasian lynxes live in the Siberian taiga. This type of lynx can also be found in Central and East Asia (China, Mongolia, Iran, Pakistan, India, Nepal, the Asian republics of the CIS).

The range of the Eurasian lynx extends far to the north, lynxes live even beyond the Arctic Circle. Other species of the cat family prefer warmer climates.

Canadian or North American lynx outwardly it is very similar to the Eurasian one, only lives in the North American taiga and is half the size of the Eurasian one: its body length is 80-100 cm, height at the withers is 60-65 cm; weight 8-14 kg. The color is grayish-brown, the tips of the hairs are white. In summer, the coat fades under the sun and acquires a reddish tint.

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Pyrenean lynx(Iberian lynx, pardovy lynx, Spanish lynx) is half the size of the Eurasian lynx and is unusually similar to it, previously considered its subspecies. The color of the Pyrenean lynx is more contrasting: clear dark spots are located on a light sandy background. The coat is shorter and not as thick - this type of lynx lives south of the rest.

Due to its relatively small size, the Iberian lynx hunts mainly for small game - hares and rodents. The Iberian lynx once inhabited the entire Iberian Peninsula. Now it is found only in the south-west of Spain, mainly in the Coto Doñana National Park.

Bobcat or red lynx- a species of lynx that since ancient times has developed on the American continent in parallel with our usual European lynx. The red lynx is the smallest of the four lynx species. The length of her body is 60-90 cm, the height at the withers is 30-50 cm, and the weight is 7-18 kg. The color is reddish, with small dark spots. On the inside of the tip of the tail there is a white mark, while in other lynxes the tip is completely black.

The color and size of the bobcat varies depending on the habitat. The red lynx lives throughout North America. Her fur is not as thick and warm as that of the European lynx, the brushes are shorter and she herself is smaller. But the habits and habits are the same as those of a European relative.

The red lynx climbs trees well and swims well, but still tries to avoid water. The main prey is the American rabbit; as well as mice, rats, ground squirrels and porcupines, sometimes birds, including chickens. A hungry red lynx can also attack a white-tailed deer.

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The red lynx is found in the extreme south of Canada, throughout the United States and as far south as central Mexico. Unlike other lynxes, the red lynx lives not only in forests, but also in the swampy lowlands of Florida and in the arid desert regions of Texas.

Caracal, or steppe lynx- a separate genus of wild cats, as determined by geneticists. He has an outward resemblance to a lynx, but the color of the caracal looks like a cougar. It has all the abilities of a cat and an extraordinary speed of reaction - it manages to grab a flying bird with sharp claws in a jump.

Caracal lives in the savannas, deserts and foothills of Africa, the Arabian Peninsula, Asia Minor and Central Asia. In Africa, especially South Africa, there are many caracals. On the territory of the CIS, caracal is occasionally found in the deserts of southern Turkmenistan, along the coast of the Caspian Sea, in the Bukhara region of Uzbekistan.

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The main prey of the caracal are rodents (gerbils, jerboas, ground squirrels), hares, small antelopes, in Turkmenistan - gazelles. Like a leopard, the caracal drags the killed prey up the trees to protect it from other predators.

Caracals are easily tamed. In India and Persia, hand caracals were used to hunt hares, pheasants, peacocks and small antelopes.

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Asian golden cat, or the Temminka cat, in comparison with other members of the cat family, has an average size: body length 90 cm, tail 50 cm. Thus, it is about twice as large as an ordinary domestic cat. The color is usually golden, but there are gray and black individuals. Spots on the coat, depending on the region, may be more or less noticeable. The cat lives in the tropical forests of Southeast Asia. The habitat stretches from the Himalayas and southern China to the Indochina Peninsula and about. Sumatra. Temmink cats prey on mice, hares, deer and birds.

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In China, Temminka cat meat is considered a delicacy, and the bones are used in traditional Chinese medicine. In Thailand, there are many legends around the Temminka cat. It is believed that burning the fur of the Temminka cat drives away the tigers from the surroundings, and carrying at least one hair from her wool, according to local signs, protects against tiger attacks.

On the American continent, there are several varieties of small wild cats that are very similar to each other. Margay looks like an oncilla, which looks like Geoffroy's cat, and together they look like ocelot. An ocelot is about twice the size of a domestic cat.

The ocelot is found in Central America and northern and central parts of South America. The northernmost region where ocelots live is in the US state of Texas. Ocelot lives in tropical forests, he avoids open spaces.

Ocelots are excellent tree climbers, during the heat of the day they like to hide in hollows, but prefer to hunt on the ground. Ocelots eat small mammals and birds, but do not disdain snakes.

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In the 20th century Ocelots were hunted because of their beautiful skin, as a result, the ocelot has become an extremely rare animal. In 1972-1996 the hunting of the ocelot, as well as the sale of any products made from ocelots, were banned. Due to this, it was possible to slightly increase the number of this species.

Agile and active margai lives in the tropical forest thickets of South America. The tree forest cat hunts at night, its prey is everything with whom it can cope - birds, lizards, monkeys and other small animals. Belongs to the genus Leopardus, whose representatives live only on the American continent.

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Margai, like a squirrel, jumps along branches, and can descend from a tree upside down due to the special structure of its hind legs. They can turn around in the joint, due to which the cat clings to the trunk with its claws and does not slip.

And these are portraits of smaller fellow wild cats))

(more details about them - http://site/index-1358909265.php)

71. Geoffrey's cat.

72. Oncilla

73. Asian cat-fisherman.

74. African wild cat.

75. British wild cat.

76. Andean cat.

77. Pampas cat.

78. Norwegian forest cat.

79. Manul.

80. Dune (sandy) cat.

81. Black-footed cat.

82. Reed cat.

83. European forest cat.

Ecology

No one will deny that big cats are amazing, very beautiful animals with a number of unique qualities. Unfortunately, due to the hunt for their valuable fur, the populations of many feline species are in decline. We invite you to get acquainted with the most interesting wild cats that can be creative in hunting, have an amazing appearance and can be very dangerous.

1) Lynx

The North American red lynx belongs to the cat family. This predator lives in wooded areas, and can also live in desert and semi-desert areas or near swamps. For the most part, these lynxes feed on rabbits, hares, deer, small rodents and even insects. Like many other cats, lynxes lead a hermitic lifestyle.

Although lynxes in America are destroyed for valuable fur or just for fun, the population of these animals as a whole is not yet in danger. However, if bobcat shooting continues at the same pace, the animals may face serious danger. Lynxes are nocturnal, but they can be spotted three hours before sunset and three hours after sunrise. They adapt well to a new environment, which is very important for animals, since a person takes away their natural habitat from many.

In addition to the red lynx, there are three more species in nature - its closest relatives - Canadian, common and Pyrenean. The red lynx, although it belongs to the big cats, is actually not that big in size. It is about 2 times larger than the average domestic cat.

2) Ocelot

The ocelot resembles a domestic cat, but with an unusual leopard coloration. Unfortunately, it is because of their beautiful fur that ocelots are mercilessly exterminated. They usually feed on lizards, amphibians, deer, rodents and frogs. These cats live in Mexico, Central and South America, prefer dense forest thickets. In the 1980s, ocelots were listed as an endangered species in the Red Book, but later restored their numbers to a healthy level. These cats love to be alone and are rarely seen in a group. They guard the territory they occupy and can sometimes fight to the death for the right to own a piece of land. Since ocelots are nocturnal, they have excellent eyesight and can see perfectly in the dark.

3) Caracal

Caracal is often called steppe trot, although this cat does not belong to the genus of lynxes, but is its closest relative. Caracals are known for their extraordinary tree-climbing and jumping abilities. It lives in Africa and Western Asia, likes to hunt alone at night. Caracals are able to grab birds in flight, but birds are not their main diet. Basically, these cats feed on antelopes, gazelles, rodents and very rarely ostriches. After the caracal has caught the prey, he separates the meat from the skin, he does not eat animal fur. If there is very little food, caracals eat birds along with feathers, and also catch rodents. It is rare to see a caracal in wildlife, as these cats are very clever at hiding from humans.

4) Jaguarundi

The puma jaguarundi lives in Mexico, Central and South America. These cats are said to resemble otters, apparently due to their solid coat color and round ears. The fur of the jaguarundi is not hunted by humans, but these cats are suffering from habitat loss. In many Spanish-speaking countries, these animals are called "leoncillo", that is "little lion". Unlike many other members of the feline family, jaguarundis hunt during the day. They usually feed on rabbits, hares, birds, and sometimes even fruits. Most jaguarundis prefer to live in areas with low vegetation and near rivers and streams.

5) Marble cat

The marble cat is almost the size of a domestic cat and is one of the smallest wild cats on the planet. The 45 cm tail of this animal is often used to maintain balance while hunting. Marble cats live in different parts of India and Southeast Asia. Their diet consists mainly of squirrels, reptiles and birds. Unfortunately, these cats are rarely studied as they are difficult to observe. Their population is said to be less than 10,000 and continues to decline due to habitat loss. The marble cat is the only representative of its kind, but is the closest relative of the Temminka cat. The name "Marble" this cat was due to its unique coloring.

6) Jaguar

Jaguar is the third largest big cat in the world. It is the national animal of Brazil. Jaguars are very similar to leopards, but much larger than the latter. Jaguars are one of the few felines that love to swim. They are solitary predators and help control the populations of the species they prey on. The strong grip and powerful jaws of jaguars allow them to easily gnaw through the shells of mollusks and bite through the hard skin of reptiles. Unfortunately, the number of these beautiful cats is falling every day and they are close to a vulnerable position, because they are being destroyed by humans. Jaguars are excellent swimmers, crawlers and climbers, which are essential for successful hunting.

7) Snow leopard

Snow leopards are very rare big cats found in the mountains of Central Asia, Afghanistan and other countries. These cats live an average of 15-18 years. They are comparable in size to leopards, but have a longer tail, with which they keep their balance while climbing rocks. They live in mountainous areas and live in caves. According to nature conservationists, there are no more than 5 thousand individuals left of these animals, that is, the species is under the threat of extinction. Snow leopards are capable of killing prey 3 times their size. They mainly feed on mountain goats, wild boars and deer. They usually don't defend their territory very well.

8) Leo

Lions mostly live in savannahs and grasslands, but sometimes they are also found in the forest. Lions are social animals and gather in groups called prides, which consist of females, cubs and several males. Lionesses usually hunt in groups, and lions rarely come out to hunt. Currently, the number of lions has suffered greatly, and they are vulnerable animals. Male and female differ in appearance - lions, as you know, have a shaggy mane. Lions are the second largest big cats. Cubs - lion cubs - are born with spots on the body, which disappear as they grow older. Basically, the diet of lions consists of wildebeest, black-footed antelopes, zebras and buffaloes.

9) Cheetah

Cheetahs are considered the fastest land animals on the planet with the ability to reach speeds of up to 110 kilometers per hour. Round black spots on the coat of cheetahs help them hide perfectly while hunting. They feed mainly on mammals, including gazelles, wildebeest and zebras. When a cheetah is chasing prey, its body temperature rises so much that it can be fatal if it persists for a long time. Cheetahs are considered a vulnerable species, with some estimates of around 12,400 left in the wild.

10) Tiger

Tigers are commonly found in the south and east of Asia. Like many other cats, tigers are solitary and nocturnal. The dark, vertical stripes on the red or yellow coat of a tiger distinguish it from other cats. Tigers are an integral part of ancient mythology. In the wild, they feed mainly on buffaloes, wild boars, deer, and sometimes even leopards and pythons. A tiger can jump up to 5 meters. They prefer to live near bodies of water because they love to take baths. Some well-known species of tigers have recently become extinct.