Leopard Cat

The leopard cat is a small species of wild cats. It is about the same size as a house cat, and has similar   patterns to the leopard or ocelot. The leopard cat has tan to brown fur and black stripes down its head that turn into spots. 

They have a slight webbing in their feet which makes them a good swimmers, they are also good climbers. They live in Southeast Asia, in a jungles, scrubs, and woodlands. They are solitary cats and are nocturnal. 

The leopard cat preys on smaller animals such as rodents, birds, lizards, and frogs. It's natural predators are tigers, leopards, wild dogs, and large snakes. 

The mother leopard cat gives birth to 2 to 4 kittens which leave her at 10 months old. They will live for about 10 to 13 years. 

They are listed as least concern but they are being hunted for their fur. 

Credits: 

"Leopard Cat." A-z Animals. N.p., n.d. Web. 31 Dec. 2013. <http://a-z-animals.com/animals/leopard-cat/>.

Clouded Leopard

The clouded leopard is the smallest of the big cats and one of the beautiful. They are not closely related to the leopard even though it shares it's name with it. The clouded leopard has a tan to brown coat with big spots that are brown with a dark ring around them. They have a long tail used for balance and they have one of the longest canine teeth (2 inches). They live in Southeast Asia and they live primarily in dense rain forests. 

Clouded leopards are very secretive in the wild so we do not know much about their usual behavior. They are nocturnal and are great climbers, and will rest in the trees during the day. Not much is know about their hunting techniques, and only some species are confirmed prey of the clouded leopard. They are porcupine, deer, ground squirrel, pangolin, and monkeys. 

Clouded leopards have a life span of about 11 years in captivity, their life span is not known in the wild due to their reclusive nature. Mother clouded leopards have about 3 kittens and they leave their mother when they are about 10 months old. They have a difficult time reproducing because the male is aggressive towards the female when they are mating. If the kittens are born the female is usually aggressive towards the kittens. In captivity zookeepers watch the clouded leopards very carefully to make sure everything goes alright. 

Recently it was discovered that there are two species of clouded leopards, the clouded leopard and the sunda clouded leopard. They look alike but genetically they are very different. The sunda clouded leopard is rarer then the clouded leopard. They also live in different places, the clouded leopard lives on the mainland of Asia while the sunda clouded leopard is from Borneo and Sumatra. 

Clouded Leopards are considered vulnerable and their numbers are decreasing. People are cutting down the rain forest that it lives in. Poachers hunt the clouded leopard for their coat and their canine teeth and bones, which are used in medicine. 

Credits:

"About the Clouded Leopard." The Clouded Leopard Project, 2011. Web. 31 Dec. 2013. <http://cloudedleopard.org/about_main>.

"Clouded Leopard." A-z Animals. N.p., n.d. Web. 31 Dec. 2013. <http://a-z-animals.com/animals/clouded-leopard/>.

"Clouded Leopard." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 29 Dec. 2013. Web. 31 Dec. 2013. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clouded_leopard>.

         

Caracal

The caracal is a median sized cat with a dark red to golden coat. It has tuffs on its ears which are black. They have long legs and a relively short tail. They are solitary, like most cats. What is remarkable about these cats is that they have 20 muscles in their ears! 

Caracals prey on birds, rodents and even larger animals like antelopes and ostriches. Since ostriches and antelopes are fast caracals must quick enough to catch them and bring them down. I think the most intresting hunting technique that the caracal uses is jumping 2 meters strait up into the air to catch a flying bird. That would so cool to watch!

Caracals will live about 12 years in the wild. Mother caracals give birth to 1 to 6 kittens. The kittens will stay with the mother for about one year. 

Their habitat is being destroyed becuase of agricultural growth. Caracals are also a threat to livestock and owners of the livestock are free to kill the caracals, this is another threat to them. Caracals are at least concern so their population is stable. 

Credits:

"Caracal." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 16 Dec. 2013. Web. 16 Dec. 2013. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caracal>.

"Caracal." A-z Animals. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Dec. 2013. <http://a-z-animals.com/animals/caracal/>.

           

Leopard

The leopard is a quiet ninja like cat. They have a yellowish fur and a dark rosette pattern on their coat. They have a long tail which helps them balance. They have a muscular body and long whiskers. They have the biggest range of any big cat, they we found in sub Saharan Africa and Southern Asia. 

Leopards are solitary cats and nocturnal. Their rosette markings on their coat act as camoflage. Their long whiskers, which are sensitive, and their good hearing make them great night time hunters. They will eat large animals such as antelopes and warthogs. They will also prey on smaller animals such as birds, reptiles, and rodents. Leopards are excellent climbers and will sometimes drag their prey high in the tree for safe keeping. 

Leopards can live for 10 to 15 years. Mother leopards give birth to 2 to 6 cubs. The cubs stay with their mother for 18 months. Leopards do not have a high mortality rate during their first year. That is due to large predators finding the young while the mother is away. 

A leopard's natural predators are lions, tigers, bears, hyena, big snakes, and other leopards. The sad thing is leopards are declining in population becuase of habitat loss. They are also hunted by humans for their coats and for sport. Like all big cats, leopards do not deserve to be killed for sport, and unfortunately it is legal to hunt them for trophies. Leopards are near threatened but since it has a large range most places it is stable. 

Leopards are beautiful cats that are hidden in the jungles. They are very threatened now but can be in the future. 

Credits:

"Leopard." (Panthera Pardus). A-z Animals, n.d. Web. 16 Dec. 2013. <http://a-z-animals.com/animals/leopard/>.

"Leopard." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 13 Dec. 2013. Web. 16 Dec. 2013. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leopard>.

         

Ocelot

Ocelots are jungle cats. They are about twice as big as a house cat, and on the smaller side of the big cats. They have a gray to reddish brown coat with black rosettes spots and some stripes. They have round ears and a sleek coat. Ocelots live from Mexico to Central America to South America. Ocelots live for 7 to 10 years in the wild. 

Ocelots are nocturnal and will hunt at night. They have very good eyesight and are able to see in the dark. They also have good hearing and these things allow them to stalk their prey successfully. Ocelots will mostly prey on rodents, but will also eat reptiles, birds, and fish. 

Mother ocelots give birth to one kitten and occasionally 2 to 3 kittens. The kittens will stay with their mothers for 2 years. Ocelots are very territorial, they can swim very well and will rest in trees. 

Ocelots are listed as least concern, their general population is stable. There are still poachers hunting for the ocelot's fine coat, and their habitat is being taken away by humans. 

Credits:

"Ocelot Pictures, Information and Facts." Ocelot Pictures, Information and Facts. Bigcat.com, n.d. Web. 26 Nov. 2013. <http://www.bigcat.com/BigcatOcelot.aspx>.

"Ocelot." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 26 Nov. 2013. Web. 26 Nov. 2013. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ocelot>.

"Ocelot." (Leopardus Pardalis). A-z Animals, n.d. Web. 26 Nov. 2013. <http://a-z-animals.com/animals/ocelot/>.

        

   

Serval

Servals are cool looking cats. They have a long neck, long legs, and big ears. They have black spots on a tan coat, with some stripes from it's head along it's back. They have a small head and their ears are close together. It is a medium sized cat, and weighs 15 to 40 pounds. 

Servals live in Africa, south of the Sahara desert. It can live for 12 to 15 years in the wild. They like to live near water and in tall grass. Like most cats, servals are solitary. They are some melanistic servals, (black servals) and only a couple white servals. 

Servals are very successful hunters. Their long legs help them see over the tall grass, and their spots provide great camouflage. They also have very good hearing due to their big ears. A serval's top speed is 50 miles per hour, and can jump 12 feet up into the air. All these abilities let the several become a fantastic hunter. They are nocturnal and will hunt at night. Servals prey on small rodents, birds, fish, frogs, and occasionally a deer or gazelle. 

Servals will have 1 to 4 kittens in a litter. They will stay with their mother for about a year then go off on their own. Servals are considered "least concern" and their population is healthy and stable. Though they still are being poached for their coats. 

Credits: 

"Serval." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 23 Nov. 2013. Web. 25 Nov. 2013. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serval>.

"Serval." (Leptailurus Serval). A-z Animals, n.d. Web. 25 Nov. 2013. <http://a-z-animals.com/animals/serval/>.

"Serval Pictures, Information and Facts." Bigcat.com. N.p., n.d. Web. <http://www.bigcat.com/Serval.aspx>.

         

 

Bobcat

Bobcats are members of the big cat family, but they are on the smaller side. In fact they are only twice as big as a house cat. They are part of the lynx genius which includes four species, the bobcat the being the smallest. They can live from southern Canada to Northern Mexico.

Bobcats have a characteristic tuff on the top of their ears which turn into a point. Their fur can be from grayish brown to tan. The spots on their back acts as camouflage. They have long hind legs which to jump 25 feet, and are also good climbers.

They are nocturnal and are solitary cats. Bobcats will eat a variety of animals depending on its habitat and wich prey is in abundance. It will normally eat rabitts and hares, but has also preyed on birds, chickens, insects, small rodedents and even deer. It can take prey 8 times its size! In the wild they can live 10 to 12 years. They have a litter of 6 to 1 kittens who will stay with their mother for one year. 

Bobcats currently have a stable and healthy population, even though hunters have been hunting and trading their coats. Sometimes bobcats will prey on farmers livestock. Bobcats are mentioned in Native American mythology. 

Credits:

"Bobcat Wildcat Pictures, Information and Facts." Bigcat.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Nov. 2013. <http://www.bigcat.com/bobcat.aspx>.

"Basic Facts About Bobcats." Bobcat. Defenders of Wildlife, n.d. Web. 22 Nov. 2013. <http://www.defenders.org/bobcat/basic-facts>.

"Bobcat." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 11 Nov. 2013. Web. 21 Nov. 2013. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bobcat>.

"Bobcat." (Lynx Rufus). A-z Animals, n.d. Web. 22 Nov. 2013. <http://a-z-animals.com/animals/bobcat/>.

         

  

Liger

Ligers are a hybrid animal that is a cross between a male lion and a female tiger. Of you think this cat is mythical then think again. These amazing cats are gigantic, they can stand 12ft tall and weigh half a ton. They will become twice as big as tiger or a lion. Of the parents gender's were reversed, a male tiger and a female lion, it would result to be a small cat, only weighing less than 150 kg. These hybrids are known as tigons. 

   Look how huge a liger is compared to a human

Ligers also look like a cross between a tiger and a lion. They have faint stripes on a tan background that comes form the lion. Some ligers have been known to grow a mane. They have been known to live for 20 to 26 years, though being hybrids they could have premature deaths. 

                                 Tiger left and Lion right

Ligers will take on both characteristics of a tiger and a lion. They love to swim which is a tiger trait, they are very social like lions. Ligers are carnivores like their parents though since it does not live in the wild we do not know what it would naturally eat. Female ligers have had cubs with lions and tiger but male ligers are sterile. 

The big cats are only breed in captivity because their parents don't live in the same territory in the wild. Zoos will breed ligers for their popularity. Though this has been considered inhumane treatment because since the ligers are can be so big they can not be delivered naturally so a C-section is requirede which can kill the mother tiger. 

Credits:

"Liger Facts and Information:." Liger. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Nov. 2013. <http://www.animalstown.com/animals/l/liger/liger.html>.

"About Liger-Info and Facts." Liger Facts: Meet The World's Biggest Cat. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Nov. 2013. <http://www.ligerfacts.org/>.

"Liger." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 18 Nov. 2013. Web. 18 Nov. 2013. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liger>.

       

      

Lion

The lion is a very unique animal. They are the only big cats to have a distinct difference between the male and female. Males have a long mane around their neck while females do not. And unlike most big cats, they are not solitary. They live in groups called prides. Lions are the second biggest cat (the tiger is the first). They have a solid color coat that ranges from light yellow to reddish brown. Lions are also the only big cat to have a tuff on their tail.

 

In a pride female and male lions play different roles. The females will generally hunt for food together and will raise the cubs together. The males will defend the pride from outside lions, mate with the females, and are the first to eat or drink in the pride. There is usually one or two alpha males and many females. Males have to fight and win against the alpha male in the pride to be able to take over. Females will stay with the pride for life, unless food get scarce and they have to move. 

Cubs are born around the same time, and are cared by the females of the pride. Some females will nurture their young, but if food is scarce some will abandon their young. Cubs will feed from all females, which gives the neglected cubs a chance at survival. The cubs will eat last after the females in the pride. Mother lions will have 2 to 3 cubs. The female cubs will stay with the pride and the male cubs will be driven off at 2 years. A lion's life span is 10 to 14 years. 

Lions live in Africa, south of the Sahara desert. There are also a small amount of lions in Asia. Traditionally lions had 12 subspecies, some have been determined as invalid, now only 8 are usually accepted.  They are the Asiatic, Barbary, West African, Northeast Congo, East African, Katanga, Transvaal, and Cape lion. The Barbary and Cape lion are extinct. There is a white lion, they are not albino they just carry a recessive pigment gene. Lions are considered vulernable, and not endangered, though they have lost many of their numbers to poachers.

Female lions hunt together for their pride. They use teamwork to bring down their prey. Because of that teamwork they can bring down large animals. Lions will eat wildebeest, zebra, hippos, young elephants, giraffes. They will also eat smaller animals such as warthogs, antelopes, and crocodiles. Lions are also scavengers as well as hunters. They will eat meals taken away from animals like hyenas and cheetahs. These meals make up 50% of their diet. 

The mane of a male lion is unique among the big cats. The darker the mane is the healthier the lion is. Male lions do not usually hunt because of their mane. When male lions run their mane will over heat them. Also the mane does not help camoflage the lion, which does not help if they are trying to sneak up on prey. A lion's mane will help him seem bigger and more powerful to others. 

Credits:

"Lion Pictures, Information and Facts." Bigcat.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 31 Oct. 2013. <http://www.bigcat.com/lion.aspx>.

"Lion." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 30 Oct. 2013. Web. 31 Oct. 2013. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lion>.

          

 

Tiger

Tigers are the most powerful of the big cats. They have an orange coat with black stripes which is very useful for camoflage. Their paws, front legs and jaws are very powerful and used for killing their prey. Tigers have small ears, yellow irises, and white hair around their neck. Also their stripes, like a zebras, are never the same as another tiger. 

Tigers live in Southeast Asia, with a life span of 10 to 15 years. They are nocturnal, and will use the night and the reeds or long grass as camoflage when ambushing prey. Tigers are also excellent swimmers, with their strong jaws, shoulders, and legs they can carry up to 300 pounds while swimming. 

Tigers are solitary cats and like to hunt alone. They can kill their prey with just a swipe of their paw or bring will it down by their weight and strangle it with their jaws clamping around their prey's neck.(Wonderful I know, just to show you how powerful they are.) They will eat a variety of animals depending on where they live. Normal prey are water buffalo, wild pigs, deer, monkeys, hares, bears, antelope, leopards, crocodiles, and pythons. Some old and injured tigers have been known to hunt humans and domestic animals, though this is usually because they just are not able to hunt what they normally hunt. 

Mother tigers will have 3 to 4 cubs and live with for about 2 to 2 1/2 years. They will come out of the den at 8 weeks old. 

There are only 6 out of 9 subspecies left of the tigers. They are the Bengal, Indochinese, South China, Malayan, Siberian, and Sumatran. The largest being the Siberian (about 700 Ibs) and smallest being the Sumatran ( about 300 Ibs). Bengal tigers are the most common subspecies. All species of tigers are endangered mostly due to habitat loss and poaching.

White tigers are not a different subspecies by themselves, they are tigers that have had both parents carry a rare recessive pigment gene. The dominant of this gene is the orange pigment most tigers have. White tigers are not considered albino, they still have black stripes down their back and have blue eyes. Due to the popularity of white tigers zoos have been breeding them in captivity, as they are very rare in the wild. Only a small amount of white tigers exists, leading to a small amount of tigers to chose from that have that ressesive gene. Because of this zoos have inbread white tigers. That has lead to birth defects among the tigers which include scoliosis and crossing of the eyes (strabismus). Zoos are now trying outbreading, the breeding of orange and white tigers, and are hoping for more white tigers. 

Credits: 

"Tiger Pictures, Information and Facts." Bigcat.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Oct. 2013. <http://www.bigcat.com/tiger.aspx>.

"White Tiger." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 28 Oct. 2013. Web. 28 Oct. 2013. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_tiger>.