Wild Cats of China

The wild cats of China include the Bengal tiger, Indochinese tiger, Siberian tiger, South China tiger, snow leopard, Asian golden cat, Chinese mountain cat, Asiatic wildcat, Pallas’s cat, Turkestan lynx, Amur lynx, clouded leopard, amur leopard and Indochinese leopard.

More About China

China (The People’s Republic of China) is one of Earth’s most significant countries (3.7 million square miles). The Pacific Ocean borders it, the South China Sea, and 14 countries: Korea, Vietnam, Laos, Burma, India, Bhutan, Nepal, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakstan, Mongolia, and Russia.

It ranks third in biodiversity after Brazil and Colombia, with nearly 35,000 different species, including:

551 species of mammals
1,221 species of birds
424 species of reptiles
333 species of amphibians

China’s geography is a testament to the Earth’s diversity, with its vast coastal regions, expansive plains, picturesque grasslands, majestic mountains, and serene river valleys. This variety of landscapes is a key factor in supporting the country’s rich biodiversity.

The Yangtze River is the longest river in China and Asia and the third longest in the world. The second largest river is the Yellow River, which flows into the Pacific Ocean. The largest lake in China is the Qinghai Lake (salt water).

Mountainous regions can be found in two-thirds of the country, usually running east to west and northeast to southwest.

Big Wild Cats in China

Bengal tiger
Indochinese tiger
Siberian tiger
South China tiger
Snow leopards
Indochinese leopard

Bengal Tiger

Panthera tigris tigris

Conservation Status: Endangered

A tiger subspecies with yellow to light orange fur and dark stripes. One of the biggest tigers. It is estimated that there are less than 2,500 Bengal tigers in the wild.

Indochinese Tiger

Panthera tigris tigris

Conservation Status: Endangered

Native to Southeast Asia. It is estimated that there are less than 350 Indochinese tigers in the wild. Somewhat darker coloring with narrow stripes.

South China Tiger

Panthera tigris tigris

Conservation Status: Critically Endangered

Inhabits Southern China. The South China tiger is believed to be extinct in the wild with no sightings since the 1980. A small tiger but bigger than the Sumatran tiger.

Siberian (Amur) Tiger

Panthera tigris tigris

Conservation Status: Critically Endangered

The Siberian tiger inhabits Northeast China, the Russian Far East and possibly North Korea.

The Siberian tiger’s fur is a reddish brown color with black stripes. They are one of the largest big cats, with a weight of up to 700 lbs.

Indochinese Leopard

Panthera pardus delacouri

Conservation Status: Critically Endangered

The Indochinese leopard is a leopard subspecies that inhabits Southeast Asia and southern China. It has reddish-brown fur with dark rosettes.

There are only small populations of the tiger in the wild.

Snow Leopard

Panthera uncia

Conservation Status: Vulnerable

Snow leopards can be found in the mountains of South and Central Asia, where they have adapated to living in extremely cold climates.

Snow leopards have heavy white and grey fur, with blocks spots around the neck and head, bigs paws, small rounded ears, a long tail and short legs. Males weigh around 120 lbs up to 160 lbs. Snow leopard sounds include grunting, chuffing, meowing and moaning.

It is estimated that less than 9,000 snow leopards are living in the wild.