Wild Cats of North America

North American wild cats include two big cats, the jaguar and cougar, and smaller wild cats like the ocelot, jaguarundi, bobcat and Canada lynx.

North America is the third-largest continent on the planet. It is bordered by the Pacific Ocean (south), Atlantic Ocean (east), Arctic Ocean (north), South America, and the Caribbean Sea (southeast).

More About North America

North America consists of 23 countries, including Canada, the United States, Mexico, Central America, and the various Caribbean islands. Greenland and Iceland are also considered part of North America because of their location.

Wild cats are only found in three specific North American regions: Canada, the United States and Central America.

North American Wild Cat Species

North America is home to the:

• Jaguar (Panthera onca) – Inhabits the Southwestern United States (rarely seen) through Mexico and South America. The biggest wild cat in North America.
• Cougar (Puma concolor) is North America’s second biggest wild cat. It can be found from Canada down to South America.
• Ocelot (Leopardus pardalis) – this wild cat inhabits North America, down through Mexico and South America. Twice as big as a household cat.
• Jaguarundi  (Herpailurus yagouaroundi) – can be found in North America (southern Texas), Central America, and South America. Primarily found in the lowlands where there is brush and water.
• Bobcat (Lynx rufus) inhabits regions from southern Canada to Central Mexico. Has a similar appearance to a Canadian lynx.
• Canada lynx (Lynx canadensis) – a medium-sized wild cat with thick fur, long legs, big paws, a black-tipped tail, and ear tufts.

Jaguar

Panthera onca

Conservation Status: Near Threatened

Jaguars are large wild cats native to Central and South America. They are often found in forests near rivers and lakes, but they are occasionally spotted in the Southwestern United States. Despite their similar appearance to leopards, jaguars are generally larger.  They are one of the four big cats that roar. While it was once thought that there were multiple subspecies of jaguars, recent research has shown that there are no distinct subspecies. Jaguars are the largest wild cats in the Americas and the third largest in the world.

Cougar

Puma concolor

Conservation Status: Least Concern

Also called the puma, mountain lion, Florida panther, red tiger and catamount. Over 30 subspecies of cougar have been documented. Two subspecies have been recognized. Cougars are lean and agile wild cats. Male cougars are around 7 feet long and vary in weight from around 120 to over 200 lbs. depending on their location.

Cougars can be found throughout North, Central and South America. They are a mostly solitary wild cat. 

Cougar subspecies:

• North American cougar (P. concolor couguar)
• Northern South American cougar (P. concolor concolor)