The four big cats—lions, tigers, leopards, and jaguars—are an impressive and majestic group of animals. They can be found in a variety of different environments, from the African savannah to the South American jungle to the snowy forests of Russia. All four big cats belong to the genus Panthera and they have a special two-piece hyoid bone in their throat that allows them to roar. This, along with their size, is what sets them apart from all other cats.
Lions, tigers, leopards, and jaguars are all apex predators and play a crucial part in their ecosystem. Because they sit at the top of the food chain, they play an important role in keeping other populations in check. Lions, for example, prey on zebras and wildebeest (among other animals). In doing so, they help to protect grasslands from overgrazing and their habitat from degradation. Without big cats, the number of prey animals would multiply rapidly and seek territory in human settlements, which would raise the risk of their starvation and disease.
So, by protecting big cats and their habitat, we help whole ecosystems to thrive. We’re not just protecting lions, tigers, jaguars, and leopards. We’re also protecting the species they feed upon and the habitats in which they live.
To get to know big cats a little better, here are some amazing big cat facts.
What is the scientific name for big cats?
All big cats belong to the genus Panthera and they each have their own scientific name. Lions are known as Panthera leo, tigers as Panthera tigris, leopards as Panthera pardus, and jaguars as Panthera onca.
What is the conservation status of big cats?
The conservation status of big cats varies by species, with each one classed differently by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
Tigers are listed as endangered. They face a very high risk of extinction in the wild, with just 4,500 individuals estimated to remain. Lions and leopards are both classed as vulnerable. However, the Amur leopard, a subspecies of leopard that lives in the far east of Russia, is classed as critically endangered—there are only 100 Amur leopards left in the wild. Jaguars, who are listed as near threatened, are fairing a little better, but their population is still decreasing. The species is likely to qualify for the threatened category in the near future.
Where do big cats live?
Big cats can be found across Asia and Africa, and also in South and Central America.
Tigers are native to Asia. They live in the semi-tropical jungles of Indonesia (on the island of Sumatra), India, Bangladesh, and Nepal, but you’ll also find Siberian tigers in the snowy, coniferous forests of Russia. These big cats have adapted to live in temperatures ranging from -40°C to +40°C.
African lions famously live on savannah grasslands in central and southern Africa, though there is also a small group of Asiatic lions living in the Indian jungle.
Like lions, leopards live in Asia, the Caucasus, and Africa, in jungles, on the savannah, and in grasslands, woodlands, and riverine forests. Their range is vast, as they can be found in countries as widespread as Armenia, Yemen, Thailand, and Sri Lanka.
The jaguar is the only big cat to live outside Asia and Africa. It spends its time in jungles and savannahs throughout South and Central America.
