The wild cats list is a complete list of all big cats and small wild cats, all over the world, including the continents of North America, Central America, South America, Europe, Asia and Africa.

The smallest wild cats in the world are the rusty-spotted cat and the black-footed cat. The largest wild cats are tigers and lions, followed by the cougar, leopard, snow leopard and Eurasian lynx.

The Wild Cats List

The Big Wild Cats

The term “big cats” generally refers to lions, tigers, leopards and jaguars – the four wild cats that roar. There is also a broader, more common definition of big cats that includes cheetahs, clouded leopards, snow leopards and mountain lions (cougars). This list uses the expanded definition of “big cats.”

1. Cheetah

Found in Africa and Asia. Related to the cougar and jaguarundi.

wild cat list - cheetah

Acinonyx jubatus4 subspecies:

  • Asiatic cheetah
  • Northwest African cheetah
  • Southeast African cheetah
  • Northeast African cheetah

 

2. Clouded Leopard

Inhabits the Himalayan mountains, Southeastern parts of Asia and South China.

wild cat list - clouded leopard

Neofelis nebulosano subspecies.

 

3. Cougar

Found in North, Central and South America.

cougar - wild cat

Puma concolor2 subspecies:

  • P. c. concolor (South America)
  • P. c. couguar (Central and North America)

 

4. Jaguar

A South and Central America wild cat. Sometimes seen in North America.

jaguar - wild cat

Panthera onca – no subspecies.

 

5. Leopard

Can be found in Africa, Asia, parts of Russia and India.

wild cat - leopard

Panthera pardus 8 subspecies:

  • Indian leopard
  • African leopard
  • Javan leopard
  • Arabian leopard
  • Sri Lankan leopard
  • Indochinese leopard
  • Anatolian leopard
  • Amur Leopard

 

6. Lion

This big cat inhabits Africa and Asia.

lion - wild cat

Panthera leo – 2 subspecies:

  • Panthera leo leo
  • Panther leo melanchaita

 

7. Snow Leopard

You will find snow leopards in Central and South Asia.

wild cat - snow leopard

Panthera uncia – Possilbe subspecies:

  • P. u. uncia (East Asia, Central Asia and South Asia mountain range)
  • P. u. uncioides (Himalayas and Northwest China)
  • P. u. irbis (Mongolia)

 

8. Sunda Clouded Leopard

Found on the islands of Borneo and Sumatra.

wild cat - sunda clouded leopard

Neofelis diardi2 subspecies:

Bornean clouded leopard (N. d. norneensis)
Sumatran clouded leopard (N. d. diardi)

 

9. Tiger

Can be found in Siberia, Indochina, Sumatra and India.

wild cat - tiger

Panthera tigris – Currently accepted subspecies:

  • Panthera tigris tigris (Asia)
  • Panthera tigris sondaica (Sunda Islands)
  • Panthera tigris tigris
  • Panthera tigris sondaica

 

Small Wild Cats

African Golden Cat
African Wildcat
Andean Mountain Cat
Asian Golden Cat
Bornean Bay Cat
Black-footed Cat
Bobcat
Canada Lynx
Caracal
Chinese Desert Cat
Eurasian Lynx
European Wildcat
Fishing Cat
Flat-headed Cat
Geoffroy’s Cat
Iberian Lynx
Jaguarundi
Jungle Cat
Kodkod |Guina
Leopard Cat (Mainland)
Leopard Cat (Sunda)
Marbled Cat
Margay
Northern Tiger Cat (Oncilla)
Southern Tiger Cat
Ocelot
Pallas’s Cat
Pampas Cat
Rusty-spotted Cat
Sand Cat
Serval

 

 


Comments

Wild Cats List — 9 Comments

  1. There should definitely be pictures of the small wild cats.

    (comment yasss or just yes your choice😊 if you agree)

  2. I hope that you can help me
    At school my granddaughter is currently (she is 8) working on wild cats.
    I have volunteered to make her a book of photographs and information on cats through the alphabet.
    There are two that I have not been able to find (hours on Google) V & X
    I was wondering if someone can help on a name (or Latin) for an obscure feline or subspecies.
    I think I will have to give up on the X but I’ve bent the rules a bit and will use Xausted and shown a lion sleeping in a very tired out position.
    I am surprised that I can’t find one starting with a V, the only one that I’ve found is a Hybrid – The Viverral but hopefully you will be able to help.
    I know that this is of little importance but I would appreciate your help in finishing the story.
    My regards
    Michael

  3. saw large wildcat head looked like bobcat but the body was 3+ ft long and bobcat tail looked like a leapord body markings,las cruces nm write below organ mountains

  4. I didnt realize there were sooooooo many different types and spieces of wild cats their are!!!

  5. Northeast ,Al. I have saw a large cat in the wild the size of a cougar. But it had white tips on ears. And tail like a leopard.? It has been eating watermelons out of Field. And seen in Pasteur. In Calhoun co. Wellington. Pleasant valley. Aera. James George land. 7-8-15..

  6. Hi Bob,

    Our purpose is to raise awareness and create a channel from interest in wild cats and wild cat conservation to action.

    Best,
    D.R.

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