Big Cat Facts

Most scientists classify the jaguar, tiger, lion, and leopard as big cats because they roar. Big Cats is also a term that has been used to describe other large wild cats like the cougar (mountain lion/puma), clouded leopard, snow leopard, and cheetah. You can find a list of the biggest wild cats here.

Every big cat has unique characteristics. Here are some fun big cat facts:

Cougar Facts

• The cougar has many names, including puma, mountain lion and panther
• It is the second heaviest big cat (the jaguar is the heaviest)
• Cougars can be found throughout Central, North and South America
• The cougar is more closely related to smaller wild cats (and even domestic cats) than the lion.
• There are over 30 different subspecies of cougar
• Read more about the cougar.

 Lion Facts

• Lions are the second largest wild cat in the world.
• Female lions generally live longer than male lions.
• Female lions also do most of the hunting
• A lion’s roar can be heard up to five miles away.
• Read more about lions and Asiatic lions.

Tiger Facts

• Tigers are the largest wild cat in the world.
• Every tiger has a different tiger stripe pattern.
• Tigers are excellent swimmers.
• More tigers are now kept as pets than live in the wild.
• Read more about tigers.

Cheetah Facts

• Cheetahs are the fastest land animal in the world.
• Cheetahs generally hunt during the day, unlike lions and leopards.
• Cheetahs don’t see very well at night but can spot prey up to 3 miles away during the day.
• The number of Cheetahs in the wild has declined by 90% in the last century.
• Read more about cheetahs.

Jaguar Facts

• The word jaguar means “he who kills with one leap”
• The jaguar is the largest cat in North and South America.
• The jaguar is the third largest wild cat species.
• Jaguars like to swim in streams.
• Read more about jaguars.

Leopard Facts

• A leopard can carry extremely heavy prey up to 100 lbs. – approximately twice its weight.
• Leopards can be found in more places throughout the world than any other wild cat
• Leopards climb trees with speed and agility.
• They often sit on a shady tree limb during the day to keep out of the sun.
• Read more about leopards.

Snow Leopard Facts

• A snow leopard can leap as much as seven times the length of their own body – around 50 feet.
• The snow leopard’s wide, furry feet act as snow shoes.
• A snow leopard can kill prey three times its weight.
• Snow leopard populations are on a dramatic decline due to poaching.
• Read more about snow leopards.

Amur Leopard Facts

• The Amur leopard is a solitary and nocturnal wild cat.
• The Amur leopard is also known as the Manchurian, Far Eastern, and Korean leopard.
• The Amur leopard is dangerously near extinction, with less than 30 living in the wild.
• The Amur leopard has a long, thick coat of hair that grows almost an inch long during the summer.
• Read more about the Amur leopard.

Clouded Leopard Facts

• The clouded leopard is considered an evolutionary link between big cats and small wild cats
• Clouded leopards have long canine-like teeth and short, sturdy legs.
• Clouded leopards are excellent climbers.
• Clouded leopards sleep in trees during the day and go hunting at night.
• Read more about clouded leopards.

 Sunda Clouded Leopard Facts

• The Sunda clouded leopard has been recognized as a separate species since 2006.
• The clouded leopard and Sunda clouded leopard are the smallest big cats.
• The Sunda clouded leopard can be found in Borneo and Sumatra.
• Both the clouded leopard and Sunda clouded leopard are usually only seen at night.
• Read more about the Sunda clouded leopard.