Big Cats

Lions, leopards, and jaguars are closely related, while the snow leopard and tiger are sister species. Despite enormous differences in size, these various species of “big cats” are all fairly similar in both structure and behaviors. Only the cheetah – not technically a big cat – is significantly different. The only large cats that roar are the “big four,” comprising lions, tigers, jaguars, and leopards. Although still termed as big cats, the other species don’t have the capability to make such impressive statements.



Habitats for these impressive carnivores vary from Asia, Africa, and Iran to North and South America and Europe. The main threat to their existence is man – due to poaching and the destruction of natural habitats – and across much of the globe, these beautiful creatures are protected through conservation. This is especially true of the Masai Mara in Kenya and Tanzania’s Serengeti, which host huge populations of lions, leopards, and cheetahs. Significant measures have been implemented by the likes of the Captive Wildlife Safety Act (CWSA) and the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), to protect these species and any hybrid species that occur through big cat breeding, to further deter black market activities.



This book takes a look at all the “big cats” and uncovers their secrets from habitats to anatomy, feeding and long-term survival to rearing their young, and everything in between.