Photos of cat animals. Big cats in the wild: amazing facts

Tigers, lions, pumas, panthers, and leopards are considered one of the largest animals among the cat family living in the wild. Everyone knows about them. In our top largest wild cats in the world included lesser-known species that also deserve due attention.

1. Manul opens the ranking of the largest wild cats in the world. The animal is similar to the usual domestic “purrs”, but is somewhat larger than them. The body length of the predator excluding the tail is 52-65 cm, and with it – approximately 1 meter. The largest representatives of this species can gain weight up to 5 kg. The predator lives mainly in Central and Central Asia. But it is also found in other regions, including Russia. Its diet consists of mice, gophers, partridges, lizards and other small animals. On average, the Pallas's cat lives 12 years.

1. The ninth place in the top is taken by pampas cat, other name - grass cat. The length of its body is on average 76 cm, and together with the tail it is about 1 m. At the withers, the animal can reach 35 cm. Weight does not exceed 7 kg. The cat lives in the grassy plains of South America, feeding mainly on small rodents, birds and eggs. Fears large predators. Life expectancy is on average 12 years.

1. Long-tailed cat or margay ranks eighth among the largest wild cats in the world. She is a relative of the ocelot, but much smaller. The body length of margay is 60-80 cm, and taking into account the tail - 1-1.2 m. In terms of weight, this is a fairly miniature cat, weighing up to 8 kg. The predator prefers to live in the dense green forests of Central and South America. It feeds on birds, small mammals, lizards and frogs. Sometimes it can eat porcupines and sloths. On average, the animal lives about 10 years.

1. jungle cat or swamp lynx confidently ranks among the ten largest wild cat breeds. The predatory mammal has quite impressive dimensions compared to the domestic pussycat. The length of its body without a tail can reach 60-90 cm. The predator gains up to 12 kg in weight. The habitat is quite wide: Asia Minor, Central Asia, Transcaucasia, Dagestan, etc. Despite this, the reed cat is a very rare species that is on the verge of extinction and is listed in the Red Book of Russia. The animal prefers to hide in reed thickets and avoids open areas. The predator, like many of its relatives, feeds on rodents, hares, ducks, pheasants, and young artiodactyls. He is also a good swimmer who is not averse to hunting fish.

1. Far Eastern (Amur) forest cat ranks sixth in the ranking of the largest wild cats in the world. The body, excluding the tail, is 0.75-0.9 m long, the tail is 35-37 cm. The weight of the predator most often does not exceed 6 kg. The animal chose the Far East and the coast of the Sea of ​​Japan as its habitat. The main delicacy of the Amur cat are small rodents, birds, their eggs, chipmunks and hares. Also, a large predator is not averse to hunting roe deer. Average life expectancy is 10-12 years.

1. Representative of the forests of Equatorial Africa golden cat is one of the largest among its closest relatives. Its body, together with its tail, has a length of 0.9-1.2 m and a height at the withers of 50 cm. Males are larger and can weigh up to 14 kg. This is a rather rare species of the cat family that prefers to live alone. At night the predator goes hunting, and during daylight hours it rests in the crown of a tree.

1. speckled cat or cat fisherman ranks fourth among the largest wild representatives of the cat breed. The length of its body is 0.96-1.2 m, and the height at the withers is 40.6 cm. The animal weighs no more than 15 kg. The predator received its second nickname because of its virtuoso ability to catch fish. An excellent swimmer and fisherman, he has a very powerful and strong physique, and is quite capable of coping with young artiodactyls.

1. The three biggest cats in the world are revealed serval or bush cat. This graceful, long-legged animal reaches 65 cm at the withers, and the body has a length of 0.9-1.35 m. During the hunt, the serval is capable of jumping up to 3 meters in height. These are born hunters who are able to extract food both from underground and water, and catch it in the air, making high soaring jumps. The lynx is considered to be a close relative of the predator. The population is distributed throughout almost the entire territory of Africa. The peculiarity of servals is that, unlike their close wild relatives, they are easily tamed and are able to live in captivity. Males can mate with regular domestic cats. As a result, the Savannah hybrid appeared, which is considered the largest among domestic cats.

1. Second place in the top Gobi (Chinese) cat. This species can be found exclusively in China in mountainous areas. The length of the animal with a tail is 0.98-1.4 m, and its weight reaches 9 kg. The height at the withers can reach 35 cm. Externally, the predator is somewhat reminiscent of a lynx due to the small tufts on its ears. It is one of the rarest animals: the population amounts to 10 thousand individuals. Its diet includes not only small animals, but also larger rodents - moles, rabbits, zokor. These individuals can also feast on reptiles and birds. Average life expectancy is 12 years.

1. The top 10 is headed by the largest wild cat in the world ocelot. Its dimensions are very impressive: the animal reaches 1-1.4 m in length and about half a meter at the withers. An adult weighs about 16 kg. The population's habitat is the tropical forests of America. The main diet of ocelots consists of small mammals, birds, reptiles and even snakes. The largest predators are able to cope with a pig and even a donkey.

It probably won’t be a mistake if I say that the most popular wild cat is the lion. It’s not for nothing that he is called the king of beasts.

The lion lives in Africa and India. Few people know, but in India there is a nature reserve in the state of Gujarat called the Gir Forest. So, in this reserve a small population of Indian lions has been preserved.

Lions are the only cats that permanently live in packs. For example, cheetahs can temporarily unite in small groups, for example three individuals. And lions constantly live in a group; a flock of lions is called a pride.

Of all cats, and perhaps of all predators, lions are distinguished by their mane.

These large cats have pronounced sexual dimorphism. What does it mean? In fact, everything is very simple; among lions, boys and girls are very different from each other, not only internally, but also externally. Lionesses do not have such a lush mane.

Lionesses occupy a subordinate position in the pack. They mainly hunt and the flock depends on lionesses for food

Servals also live in Africa. Although they are not large, they compete with cheetahs. And they could probably just be their prey.

The serval is a cat with large ears. She loves to live in thickets of small vegetation, which is why she is called a bush cat.

In the bushes of the serval, its color perfectly camouflages it.

Like the cheetah, the serval is tamed. He is even kept in apartments as a pet.

The caracal lives in the deserts of Africa and Asia. Therefore, the caracal is also called the desert lynx, and it looks like a lynx.

The name caracal comes from the Turkish word karakulak, which means “black ear”. Caracals have really black ears.

Despite the external resemblance to the lynx, the caracal is genetically closer to the serval. In captivity, these cats interbreed.

Although the leopard is a large predator, it is inferior in size to lions and tigers. And it’s not a little inferior.

The leopard's main habitat is Africa, although it can be found in Asia all the way to China. But only in Africa is its population in normal condition, if this is how one can write about an animal from the Red Book

Photos of tigers

So, moving closer to Asia, let’s pay attention to tigers - this is one of the symbols of Asia.

The wild tiger is one of the most formidable predators. They live and hunt solitarily. Only during the mating season can the female and male hunt together.

Now let's move to South America. The largest representative of the cat family here is the jaguar.

The jaguar has a magnificent color, somewhat similar to the color of a leopard. Externally, these cats are very similar.

Black jaguars are found in nature. This is not a separate species, but an unusual color variant.

The Indians created legends about these cats, endowing them with mystical abilities.

Jaguarundi photo

Another cat whose habitat is mainly in South America is the jaguarundi. This cat lives in savannahs and leads a rather hidden lifestyle.

Jaguarundi is dark in color.

Externally, the jaguarundi resembles a mixture of a cat and a weasel; the shape of the animal is very elegant and graceful. The jaguarundi hunts during the day.

Puma photo

America's other big wild cat is the puma. It lives in North America and is a very common predator there.

Although its appearance is quite impressive, especially in winter when its thick winter coat makes it appear larger, it is about the size of a regular domestic cat.

Pallas' cats are not tamed. They can live in an enclosure, but they will not become tame animals. Keeping them at home is generally illegal, since the species is endangered and is listed in the Red Book.

Many wild cats are becoming increasingly rare due to population growth. People destroy habitats, food supplies, and simply engage in poaching.

There are several large feline hybrids in the world: liger, tigon, liliger, taliger. Of these, the largest liger is a hybrid of a lion and a tigress. These hybrids have not been recorded in the wild, because Outside the walls of zoos and circuses, lions and tigers are almost never seen. The largest male ligers currently are Sudan, almost four meters tall, and Hercules, 3 meters 70 cm tall. The latter weighs just over 400 kg. However, the largest recorded individual entered the Guinness Book of Records with a weight of almost 800 kg. Male ligers are sterile - they do not give birth to offspring; in contrast, females are quite capable of reproducing; they give rise to hybrids of liligers and taligers, which are much smaller than their parents.

Kiara, the daughter of the ligress Zita and the lion Samson, was born in the Novosibirsk Zoo in 2004, she became the first liliger in the world. When Zita refused to feed Kiara, the house cat Dasha took over raising and feeding the baby.

It is noteworthy that all representatives of large cat species belong to the genus Panthera. However, it itself is not an independent species, because like albinos, panthers are just leopards and jaguars with a rare black and even rarer white coloration. Their body weight can reach 115 kg; compared to the handsome ligers, this rare representative of the cat family is a kitten.

The largest domestic cat

The largest cat breeds are Maine Coon and Ragdoll. Some representatives of these animal breeds weigh from eight to twelve kilograms, which puts them in first place among all domestic cats that have ever existed. The fluffy, huge Maine Coon looks like a fairy-tale Bayun cat, but has a very sociable and affectionate disposition; he loves his family to the point of adoration and is wary of strangers.

Domestic cats resemble the Domestic Lynx and Manul in appearance; fairly large representatives can reach up to 6 kilograms. If the Domestic Lynx adapts to being kept in the house, then the Manul is an exclusively wild cat.

The largest extinct cat

The largest representatives of extinct felines are the cave lion, miracinonyx and saber-toothed tiger. However, these “dinosaurs” did not have gigantic sizes and were much smaller than modern tigers and ligers. Scientists are confident that ligers are an extinct species that has been revived in an artificial environment. Perhaps, previously, lions and tigers were not separated by such large distances as they are now, and joint offspring could have resulted from a natural meeting of representatives of these species.

There are many different animals in the world. They are all very different from each other. Some live in the sea, others on land. Some eat plants, others are predators. Some of them are small, others are huge and heavy.

The heaviest aquatic animal

The largest and heaviest aquatic animal in the whole world is rightfully the blue whale. Its length can be about 30 meters, and its weight starts from 180 tons and more. This animal has a dark blue color with bluish hues on the sides. The heart of a blue whale can weigh about 600 kilograms, and the tongue is about 2.5 tons, which in size can be compared with.

The volume of a blue whale's lungs exceeds three thousand liters, which is an absolute record among all known animals.

Such whales feed on tiny organisms that are found in the sea - krill. A blue whale can eat up to 40 million of these individuals per day. Most often, blue whales prefer to stay alone or in pairs. Such animals communicate using echolocation. The sound that blue whales make when communicating is similar to the sound of a working jet plane and can travel over enormous distances, more than one thousand kilometers.

Female blue whales give birth to their calves once every three years, following a previous pregnancy that lasts about a year. The weight of a newborn whale fluctuates around 3 tons.

The blue whale is a rather peaceful animal that has lost its warlike abilities, which contributed to the almost complete extermination of this species.

The largest and heaviest land animal

The largest land animal is the elephant. The animal is characterized by a heavy, massive body, a short neck and a large head, as well as huge ears and thick limbs. The weight of a male can reach 6 tons, a length of about 7 meters and a height of just over 3 meters.

Female animals weigh almost half as much. Their height is about 2.5 meters and their length is about 5 meters. Adult elephants, due to their large size, are most often not found in their natural habitat, but small elephant calves are quite often subject to bloodthirsty attacks from crocodiles, hyenas and leopards.

According to the latest statistical estimates, the population size of these animals in the wild is about 550 thousand individuals. The largest animal killed is the African elephant, which was shot in Angola; its weight was more than 12 tons, which is a record.

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Hunting, destruction of forests and water bodies, pollution of nature with waste are factors that over the past 500 years have contributed to the extinction of almost 850 species of the animal world.

Main causes of species extinction

Any changes on the planet affect the world. Both global (natural disasters, wars) and the most insignificant (forest fires, river floods). The most detrimental effect of animals is human activity; many have disappeared precisely because of it.

10 Most Famous Extinct Animals

Species of animals that humans will no longer be able to see in nature:

Tyrannosaurus Rex was one of the largest sushi carnivores. It could reach 13 m in length, 5 m in height, and weigh 7 tons. Bipedal predator. He had a weapon in the form of a long tail and a powerful skull. Fossilized remains of individuals have been found in North America. According to scientists' hypotheses, the species, along with other dinosaurs, more than 60 million years ago was the result of a comet collision with the Earth.

The quagga (extinct since 1883) is a subspecies of the common zebra with stripes on the front half of the body. They occupied a vast territory of Africa. They were exterminated by people for the sake of meat and to make room for pastures for livestock.

The Tasmanian tiger (or wolf) was the largest marsupial carnivore of our time. Inhabited the territory of Australia, Tasmania, New Guinea. It got its name for the stripes on its back and its habitat. Intensive hunting, diseases (introduced by humans into territories isolated from civilization), and the appearance of dogs are to blame for the extinction of the species. The species has been considered extinct since 1936, but even today there are people claiming to have seen living specimens.

The sea cow (Steller's subspecies) is an absolutely defenseless animal. The species was discovered in the Bering Sea in 1741 by Georg Steller. The individuals were similar to modern manatees, only much larger. An adult sea cow was 8 m long and weighed about 3 tons. In just 27 years, the animals were exterminated by humans for their thick skin and fat.

The Chinese river dolphin became extinct as a result of pollution of river waters by waste from cargo and industrial ships. In 2006, the extinction of the species was registered.

Caspian tiger (extinct in the 1970s) - ranked third in size among all species. It was distinguished by unusually long hair, huge fangs and an elongated body. The color resembled a Bengal.

The aurochs (extinct since 1627) is a primitive bull. Only aristocrats hunted them. When, in the 16th century, the threat of extinction loomed over the species, hunting was prohibited and violation of the ban was severely punished. This did not save the population from destruction. At the beginning of the last century in Germany they tried to revive the species, but without success.

The great auk (extinct since 1844) is flightless, reaching 75 cm in height and weighing about 5 kg. Representative of an extensive family, the only one before modern history.

The cave lion is the largest lion. The main part died out during the Ice Age; the remnants of the species were unable to recover after a series of cataclysms and finally disappeared 20 centuries ago.

The dodo (extinct at the end of the 17th century) is a flightless bird from the island of Mauritius. It belonged to the family of pigeons, although it reached 1 m in height. The species was also exterminated by humans.

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Related article

Tip 4: What species of cat did domestic cats come from?

Domestic cats descended from wild representatives of the forest cat species, although most biologists still classify them as this species and consider them only a separate subspecies. The period of domestication dates back to the Neolithic Revolution, which occurred about 10 thousand years ago.

Domestic cats

Biologists have not yet reached a consensus on whether cats should be classified as a separate species or not. For a long time, the most common and beloved pets among people were considered representatives of the forest cat species, forming a separate subspecies along with such groups as the Omani cat, the steppe cat, the cat and others. Despite some differences in appearance and behavior, all these groups really belong to the same species, as they can interbreed and produce healthy offspring.

The same applies to domestic cats: once in the wild and becoming wild, they can find a mate among their wild counterparts and continue the family line, which allows them to be classified as the same species.

Nevertheless, some biologists propose to distinguish a separate species of domestic cats on the basis that they are separated by a huge gap from their brothers: it is difficult to imagine that the sleek Sphynx or the blunt-nosed Persian cat belongs to the same species as the graceful, aggressive and forest cat.

History of domestic cats

Thus, the ancestors of all domestic cats were forest cats - small predatory mammals that today live in Africa, northern Asia and Europe. These are fast, cunning, timid and aggressive animals.

They, in turn, descended from more ancient representatives of the cat genus and have close family ties with the sand cat - a small animal resembling a small lynx.

Several thousand years ago, forest cats inhabited the territory of the Middle East and at first tried not to meet representatives of the human race. During the Neolithic Revolution, people learned to grow plants, and grain reserves began to attract rodents to people's homes. It is believed that the small mammalian pests were followed by predatory cats who hunted them.

Gradually, people began to cooperate: the neighborhood was beneficial to both. The domestication of these animals occurred about 10 thousand years ago, presumably in the area of ​​the so-called Fertile Crescent, where the first settled settlements and the beginnings of human civilizations were formed.

Genetic studies have made it possible to identify the origin of domestic cats more accurately: all representatives of the domestic subspecies descended on the maternal line from several steppe cats. Steppe cats are a subspecies of forest cats that separated from other predators of this species about 130 thousand years ago. It was these animals that lived in the Middle East, and it was they who were domesticated by the ancestors of modern people.

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The Maine Coon is a large, muscular cat with wide, strong paws and large ears. The hair on these animals is short on the head and neck, but longer on the back and sides. In addition, Maine Coons have a luxurious fluffy collar and tufts on their already long ears. The coat color of representatives of this breed can vary. The color may include black, white, gray, brown, as well as any combination of these shades. There are also bright red Maine Coons.

The fruit of love between a cat and a raccoon

"Maine Coon" literally means "Maine raccoon". The breed received this name due to the similarity of the animals with raccoons. For a long time, people who did not understand biology considered the shaggy Maine Coon with tufted ears and a characteristic striped color to be the result of a love affair between a raccoon and a cat. Of course, there are no raccoons among the ancestors of Maine Coons, but the name stuck with the breed.

Character of a huge cat

Despite its impressive size, the Maine Coon is a meek and docile animal. These cats become very attached to their owner, which is why they received the nickname cat-dog. They can, like a devoted dog, walk around the house all day long, watching what he does and patiently waiting until the owner is free and can give them attention. At the same time, Maine Coons are not intrusive. They won't rest on your keyboard when you're working on your laptop, and they won't get between your face and the book while you're reading. Raccoons are usually wary of strangers, but do not show aggression.

The Maine Coon may seem clumsy in appearance, but in fact it is very active. It is better to own this breed for people living in their own houses or spacious apartments, as the Maine Coon loves to run, hunt for a ball, or. Until recently, the ancestors of cats caught mice on farms, so their hunting instincts are very strong.

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It's hard to believe, but one of the most formidable predators in the world, a lion, and a small kitten belong to the same cat family. They are easily identified by their natural grace, retractable claws, and short, flattened muzzle.

Tiger – striped perfection

This is the largest wild cat in the world. In size, the tiger is second only to the bear. The weight of a tiger can reach 250 kg, height at the withers up to 1.15 cm. The body length of an adult predator is more than 3 meters. The largest tiger was killed in the middle of the last century in India, its weight was 388 kg. Currently, only six subspecies remain, the habitat of which is concentrated in Asia.

A strong, muscular, elongated body, a more developed front part, a round head with a convex skull and a bright striped color - this is a brief portrait of a tiger. The most common color is red (of varying intensity) with black stripes, but there are also individuals with white and gold colors. Such unusual colors are associated with genetic violations.

The tiger is a territorial animal and always hunts alone. The feeding territory of one animal is from 300 to 500 km. Tigers rarely quarrel with each other; if the amount of prey decreases, attacks on livestock and people begin. Possessing excellent night vision, the tiger prefers to hunt in the morning or evening. The tiger prefers to follow the tracks of its prey or wait for it in ambush, for example, near a pond. Unlike the lion, the tiger is very concerned about cleanliness; before going out to hunt, he always bathes or rolls out in the snow to fight off the smell that could scare off the prey.

A tiger can attack people if the boundaries of its territory are violated or if the food supply decreases. People are easy prey for this predator.

Now, due to a decrease in population size, such cases occur extremely rarely, and a tiger, when meeting a person, prefers to retreat. But before, attacks by man-eating tigers were recorded more than once. The Bengal tigress is widely known and has killed more than 400 people. It was suggested that a tiger, having tasted human flesh, would continue to prefer this type of prey.

All tiger subspecies are classified as endangered and are listed in the Red Book. Tiger hunting territories are protected by the state. A breed of cat was developed that resembles a miniature tiger, called the Toyger.

Amur (Siberian) tiger

In the photo: the largest wild cat in the world - the Amur tiger.

A serious and beautiful predator, with thicker and longer fur compared to other subspecies. The only one of the tigers that has a layer of fat on its stomach to protect it from the cold. The largest population of these animals lives in the Khabarovsk and Primorsky territories; it numbers about 500 individuals. In neighboring countries, the number of this tiger is very small due to its valuable fur and ingredients valued in eastern alternative medicine.

Even in the last century, the number of Amur tigers was so great that special teams were sent to hunt them. And in less than 50 years, the number of this predator has decreased to 200 individuals. Now, thanks to the efforts of biologists, the population number has increased.

However, at the moment the Amur beauty is under threat of extinction.

Lion is the king of the animals

A dangerous predator who is not alien to nobility and greatness. The weight of a lion can reach 250 kg, and the height at the withers is about 123 cm. The length of the body ranges from 170 to 250 cm. In its structure, a lion is very similar to a tiger. Color varies from dark brown to sand. Lions are the only ones from the family of big wild cats to have a small tassel at the tip of their tail. Females differ from males not only in their smaller size, but also in the absence of a mane, the main decoration of a lion. It's not for nothing that they call him gentleman of the world of predators. His proud, majestic demeanor and noble warning about the start of the hunt with a royal roar make one admire and admire this animal from afar.

They are the only ones from the family of big wild cats that do not live alone, but in peculiar families - prides. Typically, a pride includes females, cubs up to three years old and several males. The pride is led by a leader, an experienced and strong male. During the hunt, females usually serve as beaters, while males wait in ambush. It is almost impossible for an outside lion to get into the pride; an exception is made only in the case of a female vacancy. As a rule, the number of prides is the same and is regulated, obviously, depending on the food supply.

The lion's extant range is in Africa, with a small population in India.

Leopard (panther) - the most insidious of wild cats of prey

A dangerous and unpredictable predator from the cat family. In terms of jaw power, it is not inferior to its larger counterparts, the tiger and lion, although it is not as impressive in size. The height at the withers of an adult leopard is no more than 80 cm, and its weight is up to 100 kg. The body length is from 120 to 195 cm. The body of this animal is elongated, light, somewhat compressed at the sides. The leopard has very beautiful spotted fur, thanks to which the leopard population has greatly depleted.

It climbs trees well, although it prefers to hunt on the ground. An excellent swimmer, he easily overcomes water obstacles and does not disdain fish. It can sit in ambush for a long time and lie in wait for prey. The natives of the area where leopards live are much more afraid of them than of their larger relatives. They are able to attack from trees too quickly and unexpectedly and misfires rarely occur. Leopards drag their prey up a tree to protect it from other predators. These predators hunt at night and always alone.

The black-colored individuals that appear in litters, called panthers, are considered more aggressive than the normally colored leopard. They received this coloring from the increased content of the hormone melatonin.

Jaguar - America's largest wild cat

This predatory inhabitant of the jungles of Central and South America is very similar to a leopard, but much more massive and larger. Height at the withers is 63-76 cm, and weight is approximately 90 kg. The body length of a jaguar can reach 185 cm. This representative of the felines is a solitary hunter, and both males and females carefully guard their territory from their own kind and from other predators. Only during weddings do jaguars gather in packs; fights between males rarely occur - the female makes the choice. She also raises the kittens until they are old enough to defend their territory.

The jaguar's prey can include caimans, crocodiles, peccaries, snakes, turtles, monkeys and other small and not so small inhabitants of the jungle and reservoirs. This predator does not disdain livestock either. Cases of attacks on people are rare.

In many countries, the jaguar is listed in the Red Book and hunting it is strictly prohibited. In others, such as Mexico, limited shooting is permitted.

Puma (mountain lion)

America's second largest predatory wild cat. The height at the withers is 60-90 cm, the body length is up to 180 cm, and the weight is no more than 100 kg. The body of the puma is elongated, the legs are short, strong, the hind legs are more massive. The head is small. The color of pumas ranges from reddish to gray.

Cougars are found in almost all types of terrain: in the mountains, in forests and on the plains. The cougar is a solitary night hunter and its prey is numerous ungulates; it does not disdain birds, fish and insects. This predator does not distinguish between wild herbivores and livestock and eagerly kills those that come to hand. Moreover, the cougar often kills more animals than it can eat. There are known cases of attacks on people. As a rule, children or short people walking alone are attacked.

Despite the incessant hunting and narrowing of the habitat, the population of pumas is sufficient and large, since this predator easily adapts to other living conditions.

Pumas are found throughout South America, the western regions of North America and the Yucatan.

An unusually beautiful leopard with smoky gray fur with black spots. The snow leopard lives high in the mountains and occasionally descends to the foot, following the migration of ungulate herbivores. In appearance, this strong cat resembles a leopard, but is squat and smaller. The body of the snow leopard is stretched, slightly raised in the sacrum area. The height of the withers is no more than 60 cm, and the body length ranges from 103 to 130 cm. The main habitat of the snow leopard is South and Central Asia.

The snow leopard rarely attacks humans or livestock. This can only happen if the cubs are protected. Snow leopards live in pairs and hunt and raise their young together.

They feed, train and raise their young, and the female mercilessly plucks fur from her belly to insulate her den.

Currently, there are no more than 7 thousand snow leopards worldwide. Unfortunately, snow leopards practically do not reproduce in captivity, so the population of these magnificent animals continues to decline. It is almost impossible to meet this rare endangered species in the wild; the snow leopard carefully avoids people.

Cheetah is the fastest cat of prey

The cheetah intricately combines both canine and feline features. A short body, long slender legs, like a canine, but the paws, color and ability to climb trees are from cats. Scientists have long raised the cheetah as a separate species of large cat, but according to the latest molecular studies, the cheetah still belongs to the subfamily of small cats. And the dimensions of this cat are as follows: height at the withers is up to 75 cm, body length is up to 140 cm, and weight reaches 65 kg. The color of the cheetah is yellow-sand with black dots scattered throughout the skin.

Females, except when raising puppies, hunt alone. And males can form groups, usually consisting of littermates. In such a pack they defend territory and females from other cheetahs. Unlike most cats, they are diurnal predators. Large, flat spaces eliminate the possibility of cover, and cheetahs use a completely different strategy. They approach the victim at a distance of 10 meters and then make a quick dash, the speed of which can reach up to 115 km/h. But cheetahs can move at such a rapid pace for no more than 400 meters. So, if the prey managed to escape, the cheetah will simply rest and go look for a less resourceful victim.

The history of the cheetah and its service to man is interesting. In ancient times, this animal was widely used in hunting wild animals. Devotion, honesty and ingenuity were highly valued by hunters from various countries: Byzantium, France, India and Rus'. Cheetahs were not only excellent beaters, but were also easily tamed and showed great affection for their owners. They were led on leashes, like dogs, and played with without fear of injury. An image of a cheetah (in Rus' they were called pardus) is on the Hagia Sophia. But at some point, perhaps after the arrival of the British in India, who loved to organize sport hunting for cheetahs, they became simply predators.

Unfortunately, cheetah numbers are declining at an alarming rate. The main factor in the disappearance of the population is the plowing of savannas, the natural habitats of cheetahs.

Recently, closely related mixing due to the small number of animals has also joined the causes of extinction. At the moment, there are no more than 4,500 cheetahs in the world.

In custody

Human activities have caused irreparable damage to the population of all wild cats of prey. Some species are lost forever, others are constantly under threat of complete extinction. If this continues, then there will be only one predator left on Earth - man.

Wild representatives of the cat family are distributed on all continents and large islands, with the exception of Antarctica, Australia, Madagascar, Greenland, the islands of New Guinea and Sulawesi. All species of wild cats are listed in the Red Book, many of which are either on the verge of extinction or under threat of destruction.

The sizes of animals vary greatly. The rusty cat is the smallest representative of the felines, it weighs around 1.5 kg, and its body length on average reaches 40 cm. The tiger has the largest body weight. Individuals of this species often reach a mass of more than 300 kg, and their body length reaches 3.8 m. Nevertheless, all species of the cat family are very similar to each other, both in appearance and in their way of life. These are excellent hunters, ideally suited for stalking and killing prey.

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  Oncilla (Leopardus tigrinus)

  The tiger cat, better known as oncilla, is relatively small in size. It is slightly larger than an ordinary domestic cat, the weight of an adult male rarely exceeds 3 kg, and the body length reaches 65 cm. The eyes and ears of the animal are noticeably larger in comparison with the skull than other representatives of this genus.

  

  Oncilla has soft, short, ocher-colored fur. On the face, abdomen and chest, the color turns whitish. Thanks to the pattern on the skin, the little predator is very similar to a baby jaguar. On the back and sides of the animal there are ring-shaped spots of irregular shape in longitudinal rows. In the area of ​​the tail, the spots become transverse, gradually merging into rings closer to its end. There is a white spot on the black rounded ears.

  A representative of this breed lives in subtropical forests, preferring moist evergreen forests in mountainous areas at an altitude reaching 3 thousand m above sea level. Oncilla can be found in Costa Rica, northern Argentina, northern Panama, Brazil and the dry forests of Venezuela. In most of the animal's habitat, hunting them is prohibited, as the species is endangered.

  This species has been little studied due to its secretive lifestyle in nature. The animal displays its main activity at night, but during the day it prefers to hide in the branches of trees. The predator feeds mainly on birds and small rodents. But it can also attack small primates and non-venomous reptiles.

  Reproduction of the breed in the wild has not been studied; all information collected was obtained by observing oncilla in captivity. The duration of a cat's pregnancy is 2.5 months. There are usually 1 or 2 kittens in a litter. Individuals become sexually mature at the age of 1–2 years.

  

  Clouded leopard (Neofelis nebulosa)

  This type of cat is considered quite ancient. The body length of representatives of the breed reaches 1 meter, the tail can be up to 92 cm, and the height at the withers ranges from 50–55 cm. Adult male clouded leopards weigh up to 21 kg, females are somewhat smaller, their weight reaches 15 kg.

  

  The beautiful pattern on the yellowish fur of the animal is formed by large dark spots of various shapes. In the neck and back areas, the spots have an elongated shape. The clouded leopard has few spots on its belly and chest, and its coat color is almost white. The animal's skull is noticeably longer than that of other felines. Another distinctive feature of the beast is its larger fangs compared to its body size. The cat's tail is large and heavy; towards the end its color becomes darker.

  The clouded leopard's habitat covers southeast Asia. The predator is found in southern China and can be found in the territory from the eastern Himalayas to Vietnam. At the moment the species is under threat of extinction. Because of its beautiful spotted skin, which was highly valued, the leopard was hunted for a long time. But the main threat to the cat’s existence is the massive deforestation of tropical forests, which are the animal’s home.

  The predator prefers to lead a solitary lifestyle and mostly hides in the thickets. The animal expertly climbs trees and swims beautifully; its massive tail helps maintain balance. These magnificent cats hunt reptiles, birds, goats and small deer. A monkey can also become a victim of a leopard. The predator prefers to hide on tree branches, suddenly jumping on top of its prey.

  It has not yet been possible to collect information about the reproduction of the animal in the wild. All knowledge on this matter was obtained by observing individuals in captivity. Pregnancy lasts about 3 months, after which 1 to 5 cubs are born. The mother feeds the offspring with milk for 5 months, but already from 2 months their diet begins to be supplemented with food from adults. By 9 months, young leopards become independent and fully ready to live separately from their mother.

  

  Wild steppe cats - lifestyle, character, possibility of taming

  Temminck (Catopuma temminckii)

  The Temminck cat, whose second name is the Asian golden cat, is very similar in appearance to a puma, but differs in size and fur color. The body length of an adult individual reaches an average of 90 cm, weight can reach up to 16 kg.

  

  The cat's coat is most often golden or dark brown, but there are other color options, such as black or gray. On the small head near the eyes there are stripes of white and black. Depending on the region in which the animal lives, spots may be visible on the skin of the individual.

  The territory where these graceful predators live covers southeastern Tibet, Vietnam, and China. The cat is also found on the island of Sumatra. The animal prefers tropical and subtropical forests and can climb mountains to a height of up to 3 thousand meters above sea level. Hunting for individuals of this species and deforestation in their habitat has led to the fact that the temminka is included in the list of rare animals.

  The presented breeds prefer to live alone. They are shy, very cautious and nocturnal. Moving primarily on the ground, the golden cat nevertheless climbs trees beautifully. In search of prey, the animal often travels long distances. The cat's diet includes young deer, birds, small mammals and reptiles.

  The process of bearing cubs takes place over 80 days. The number of kittens in a litter ranges from 1 to 3. Feeding babies with milk lasts up to 6 months with a gradual transition to an adult diet. The male takes part in raising the offspring.

  

  Red lynx (Lynx rufus)

  The bobcat is a species of lynx native to North America. It differs from the usual lynx in its noticeably smaller size. Its body length rarely exceeds 80 cm, and its tail is short. The height of the animal at the withers is up to 35 cm, weight varies between 6–11 kg.

  

  The coat color of representatives of the species is reddish-brown with a clearly visible gray tint and small spots. The tip of the animal's tail has a white spot on the inside. The animal's ears are triangular in shape with pointed tips on which small tassels are located. The muzzle is round, with noticeably longer hair growing along its edges.

  The red lynx is distributed throughout the territory from the east to the west coast of the United States, Canada and Mexico. The animal lives in coniferous and deciduous forests, wetlands, subtropics and even in arid areas. May be found near cities. The existence of the species is not under threat.

  It moves on the ground, climbing trees only in search of shelter and prey. The cat's diet includes snakes and rodents, and it often attacks birds, including domestic ones. But the main source of food for this predator is the American rabbit. Hunting for prey, it can travel up to 10 km per night.

  The mating period begins in February. The duration of pregnancy is 50 days. At the end of it, up to 6 blind babies are born. Within a month, the young animals begin to diversify their menu with adult food. Sexual maturity in females occurs at the 12th month of life, in males - at 2 years.

  Lion (Panthera leo)

  Representatives of this species are among the largest cats existing at the moment. The body weight of individual males reaches 250 kg or more. The length of the powerful muscular body of the predator is up to 3 meters, the tail reaches up to 90 cm. Females are somewhat smaller in size and their weight rarely exceeds 180 kg.

  

  The appearance of the animal is very peculiar. In addition, it is one of the few species with clearly visible sexual dimorphism. The males of these cats differ not only in weight and body size, but also in the presence of a mane. Its fur covers the head, part of the back, chest and shoulders of the animal. The animal's skin is covered with short, sandy-gray hair. The thick mane can be either the same shade as the main color, or darker, even black. There is a tassel at the tip of the tail.

  The predator's habitat has undergone dramatic changes under human influence. Previously, the distribution area of ​​this species was much wider; for example, cats could be found in the Middle East and in the southern part of modern Russia. Now the animals can be found in sub-Saharan Africa. A small number of individuals live in the Gir Forest in the south of the Kathiyawar Peninsula.

  Unlike other representatives of the cat family, lions are social animals and they live in entire groups called prides. Most often, a lion family consists of cubs, several related females and 1-2 adult males. All females are involved in feeding and protecting the young, regardless of whose litter it is. If one of the mothers dies for some reason, her kittens are raised by the others. The pride accepts females from outside reluctantly. Young, grown-up males are expelled from the pack, after which, at the call of instinct, they look for families of lionesses and fight for dominance in the new pride.

  The pride hunts at dusk, while during the daytime the cats prefer to rest in the shade. Mostly females take the prey; lions rarely take part in this event. When hunting for large prey, the pride tries to isolate it from the herd, after which they attack and kill it. A lion family could target a buffalo, wildebeest or zebra.

  Tiger (Panthera tigris)

  Being the most massive and heaviest representative of the cat family, the tiger can have a body weight of up to 320 kg. The elongated and flexible body of the predator sometimes reaches 2.9 m in length without a tail. The height at the withers is 1.15 m. The sizes depend on the habitat: in more northern territories the size of cats is larger than in the southern ones.

  

  Depending on the subspecies of the animal, the main color of the coat varies from light yellow to rusty brown. The entire body is decorated with brown or black vertical stripes arranged asymmetrically. The lower part of the body is white. The outer side of the ears is black with a white spot in the middle.

  This powerful predator lives in the northern parts of Iran and Afghanistan, Nepal, Thailand, and some provinces of China. You can meet the animal in India, Indonesia, Russia, Vietnam and Pakistan. Tigers inhabit many types of landscapes: dry deserts and semi-deserts, tropical rainforests, taiga, highlands and mangrove swamps. The species is on the verge of extinction, hunting it is prohibited throughout the world.

  Tigers are territorial, solitary animals that fiercely defend their territory. Despite its impressive size, the predator moves silently through forests and mountain slopes. He is well camouflaged and is endowed with incredible strength and agility. He can climb trees, but he rarely does it. The animal hunts quite large prey, including wild bulls, deer, moose, wild boars and even bears. This animal is an excellent swimmer and can catch fish and small crocodiles. If times of famine come, the tiger can feed on amphibians, reptiles, rodents, birds and even plants. It eats carrion in exceptional cases.

  Cats reproduce throughout the year. The duration of pregnancy is 3.5 months. Before giving birth, the female looks for a suitable den. Most often, 2-3 blind kittens appear in one litter. From the age of two months, in addition to milk, babies begin to eat adult food. Tigress is a caring mother. Having reached the age of 2 years, the young animals begin to participate in the hunt with her. At 3–4 years old, young individuals leave their home and search for a separate territory.

  Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus)

  Outwardly, this graceful predator differs from its feline counterparts. The structure of its flexible body is anatomically reminiscent of the structure of a greyhound dog. The cheetah has long and strong legs, on which there are claws that are only partially retractable, which is not typical for cats. A large chest and voluminous lungs serve for active breathing during running.

  

  The cheetah is considered the fastest mammal: the speed that the animal can develop when hunting is about 130 km per hour.

  The height of the predator at the withers is 80 cm. The body length of an adult cat can reach 130 cm, the tail - up to 80 cm. The weight of a mature individual varies from 40 to 75 kg. The color of the animal's fur is sandy yellow. The entire skin is covered with small black spots. There are thin black stripes on the side of the muzzle.

  Almost the entire population of cheetahs has survived only in African countries: South Africa, Tanzania, Algeria, Angola, Zambia, Kenya and others. The number of these cats in Asia is minimal; their presence is confirmed only in the central part of Iran. The conservation status of the species is vulnerable animals.

  Cheetahs are diurnal, hunting either in the morning or in the evening, since it is at this time that it is quite light and not very hot. The main prey of these cats is Thomson's gazelle, but they also hunt impalas, wildebeest and hares. Sometimes they can attack ostriches. Unlike other cats, cheetahs hunt by stalking rather than by ambush. The speed the animal develops is high, but does not allow it to run long distances. If the predator does not catch the prey in the first 10–20 seconds, then most likely it will end the pursuit.

  The duration of pregnancy for a female cheetah is 3 months. 2–6 kittens are born. Babies are fed milk until they are 8 months old. The young stay with their mother for up to 20 months. The average life expectancy in captivity is 20 years.

  Puma (Puma concolor)

  The puma is in 4th place in size among felines. The only animals larger than the puma are the lion, tiger and jaguar. An adult male of this species can reach 105 kg in weight. The height of the animal at the withers is on average 80–90 cm, the length of the flexible elongated body is 150–180 cm, and the length of the tail is about 70 cm.

  

  The animal's fur is thick and short. The color is uniform, ranging from brown-yellow to brown-gray. The lower part of the body is light. On a relatively small head there are round ears. Paws are strong with wide feet and retractable claws. The tail is dark in color.

  The puma is distributed in the south of North America and almost throughout South America. The population of the species is such that its existence is not under threat. It lives in many types of landscapes: mountains, forests, plains and marshy areas.

  With the exception of the breeding season, pumas lead a solitary lifestyle. During the daytime, cats prefer to rest, basking in the sun, but go hunting at dusk. The predator's prey includes moose, deer, wild pigs, small crocodiles, squirrels, beavers, etc. It attacks from ambush, does not like long chases, and quickly runs out of steam.

  Pregnancy in an animal lasts about 3 months, and there are from 2 to 6 kittens in one litter. At birth, kittens differ from the adult animal in color: they are darker with black spots, and their tail is surrounded by dark rings. The young live with their mother until they are 2 years old.

  Caracal caracal

  Externally, the caracal is very similar to a lynx, but is smaller in size and color. At the withers the animal reaches approximately 45 cm, body length no more than 86 cm, tail - 30 cm. Tassels are clearly visible at the tips of the ears, sometimes reaching up to 5 cm in length. The cat's weight is no more than 22 kg.

  

  The thick and short fur of the caracal is sandy or reddish-brown in color; in the area of ​​the belly and chest the color approaches white. There are black markings on the side of the head. The outer side of the ears and tassels are black.

  The predator chooses arid areas as its home. The animal is well adapted to living for a long time without water; usually the liquid it receives from its prey is enough for it. The caracal lives in Asia Minor and Central Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. Rarely found in the CIS. The existence of the species is not under threat.

  The predator displays its main activity closer to night, but in winter it hunts in daylight. Despite its strong and long legs, the caracal does not like long runs, so it hunts from ambush. Its food can include rodents, birds, reptiles and small ungulates.

  Caracals breed all year round. A cat's pregnancy lasts 80 days, and the female brings up to 6 babies in one litter. Every day, a caring female carries the kittens from one secluded place to another until they reach the age of one month. Already at the age of 6 months, young individuals begin to live independently.

  Jaguar (Panthera onca)

  Being the third largest among the felines, the jaguar can reach a weight of 90–120 kg. The height of the animal at the withers is 75 cm, body length reaches 1.8 m, tail length up to 75 cm. Females of this species are on average 20% lighter than males.

  

  Externally, the animal is very similar to a leopard, but is noticeably larger than it. The jaguar's legs are strong and short, and there are rounded ears on its massive head. The ears are black on the outside with a yellow spot in the middle. The animal's thick, short fur has a pattern similar to that of a leopard. The main color of the coat is sand or bright red. The lower part of the body is white. Inside the spots, the color of the skin is slightly darker than the main one.

  The animal is widespread in North and South America. The population of the species is not threatened, but is controlled. The jaguar can live in almost all types of landscapes, but tries to avoid open spaces. Prefers tropical forests with high humidity.

  It moves on the ground, but climbs trees well. This feline is also an excellent swimmer and loves to spend time in the water. It is active at any time of the day, but hunts mainly at night. The predator feeds on ungulates, crocodiles, birds, wild pigs, sea turtles and even fish.

  During a pregnancy that lasts 3-3.5 months, the female brings up to 4 spotted kittens, which she hides in the den. At the age of 1.5 months, babies begin to come out of hiding and watch their mother hunt. There is a high mortality rate among the young of this species; only half of the litter survives to the age of 2 years. At the same age, young individuals begin to live independently.

  Pallas's cat (Felis manul)

  Outwardly, this steppe cat is very similar to domestic cats, and even practically does not differ in size. The length of the dense and massive body of the animal is from 50 to 65 cm, the tail - from 23 to 30 cm. The weight of an adult varies between 3–5 kg.

  

  Pallas's cat has very thick and fluffy fur. The color is combined and consists of a mixture of light gray and fawn-ocher, with white tips of the hair. There are dark stripes on the muzzle, as well as on the back of the body. The lower part of the body is slightly lighter, and the tip of the long, thick tail is colored black. An interesting feature of the cat is its round pupils, rather than the usual cat pupils.

  These beautiful animals are listed in the Red Book; their numbers are not reliably known, but the species is endangered. Pallas' cats are common in Central and Central Asia. In Russia, this species lives in three zones:

  • in the steppe zone of the Chita region;
  • steppe and forest-steppe zones of Buryatia;
  • in the southeast of Tyva and Altai.

  The Pallas cat is well adapted to survive in a sharply continental climate with low temperatures in winter. The animal leads a sedentary lifestyle, being active at night and early in the morning. Lives in a den among rocks or in abandoned burrows of various animals. The main prey of the Pallas's cat is rodents, sometimes it catches birds and hares. It hunts by stalking, in which its camouflage color helps well.

  The breeding season for these animals is February-March. The duration of pregnancy is 2 months, from 2 to 6 kittens are born. There are spots in the coloring of the babies. Young animals begin to hunt independently at the age of 3–4 months. Average life expectancy is 12 years.

  Margay (Leopardus wiedii)

  The dimensions of this type of cat are small: body length does not exceed 80 cm, tail length is 40 cm. Average weight varies from 4 to 6 kg. The appearance of this type of cat is very similar to an ocelot. The margay's yellow-brown fur is covered with black ring-shaped spots. The lower part of the body is lighter, almost white. The outside of the ears is dark with a white spot.

  

  Margay lives in areas with tropical rain forests: evergreen rainforests of South America. Cats are nocturnal and live alone. This small predator loves to climb trees and spends most of its life on their branches. The animal's hind limbs are so strong that they allow it to move upside down along tree trunks like a squirrel. Margay chooses birds, rodents and small primates as prey.

  The species does not have specific periods for mating. The duration of pregnancy by a female is about 84 days, after which 1 to 2 kittens are born. The gray fur of young animals is dotted with spots from the very beginning of life. Babies emerge from the shelter only at the age of 2 months. They gain full independence closer to 9–10 months. The margay is one of the most endangered species. Hunting them is prohibited.