Different Kinds Of Wild Cats
Posted on Last updated:
Welcome to different kinds of wild cats.
Are you a big cat lover? Then youre in the right place to learn about different kinds of wild cats. There are around 40 species of wild cats found in the world and there are various regions where we can find wild cats.
Some use to live in snow areas, some live in dense forest. We can find a cat which is 2lb in weight to the largest cat member who is rusty in color with spots on their back. There are many small wild cats which makes these family a major one in size.
What Are The Biggest Threats To Wild Cat Populations In North America
As we learned, several of the wild cats of North America are considered endangered or threatened. Many species are already extinct from portions of their previous range into the United States. Humans are responsibledirectly or indirectlyfor these threats.
Loss of habitat due to human development is the primary threat to all wild cat species. Many of these animals require an enormous territory to roam and hunt. As humans take up more and more land for building, agriculture, and logging, the big cats are running out of space. Sometimes just clearing a forest is enough to drive the animals away, such as the ocelots, who rely on plant cover to stay safe during the day.
Many wild cat populations first began to decline due to hunting for pelts. Others were killed by farmers and ranchers trying to protect their livestock. While this is less of a threat today, wild cats who live close to humans may become nuisance animals and face elimination.
Smaller wild cats often fall victim to one of the leading causes of domestic animal death: vehicle accidents.
About North American Wild Cats
Cats are mammals in the family Felidae, which is part of the order Carnivora. Other families in Carnivora include the dog family Canidae and the bear family Ursidae.
All members of Carnivora share a common ancestor, which is thought to be a small, weasel-like species that lived around 55 million years ago.
Cats are skilful ambush hunters that approach their prey stealthily before pouncing. Cats have retractable claws and are excellent climbers and jumpers. They often lead nocturnal, solitary lifestyles.
Of the six species of wild cats found in North America, only the jaguar is of genus Panthera, and therefore considered to be a big cat.
Although the puma is the worlds fourth-largest cat species , it is considered to be a small cat as it a member of the small cat subfamily, Felinae.
Of the six North American cats listed below, only the bobcat, puma, and Canada lynx are found in significant numbers in the United States and Canada.
Recommended Reading: Cat Rental Grand Island Ne
Small Wild Cats In The Americas
Andean Cat
- Lifespan: up to 16 years
- Tail length: 16 to 19 inches
- Body length: 22 to 29 inches
- Height: about 14 inches
- Weight: 8.8 to 13 pounds
- Top speed: unknown
Among the South American wild cats, the Andean cats are perhaps the most stunning small felines.
The bodys sides are covered in brown-yellowish spots that are spread in vertical lines, giving the fur the illusion of continuous stripes. The fur is primarily ash gray.
Andean cats are mostly found at altitudes up to 16,400 feet in the Andean Mountains of Bolivia, Peru, Chile, and Northern Argentina. They were discovered recently outside of the Andes, though.
Considering they can only be found in the rocky, dry, and semi-arid regions, Andean cats have a very specific habitat.
Those American cats eat lizards, small birds, waterfowl, and small mammals, like the mountain viscacha, which is the main part of their diet.
In addition, Andean cats are mostly solitary, but during mating season and after births, they may be found in pairs or with cubs. According to IUCN, Andean cats are Endangered species.
Pampas Cat
- Lifespan: between 9 to 18 years
- Tail length: 8.5 to 13 inches
- Body length: 16.5 to 31 inches
- Height: about 12 and 14 inches
- Weight: 5 to 11 pounds
- Top speed: unknown
Pampa cats resemble large domestic cats, and their color might range from grayish yellow, grayish white, silver gray, light gray, or grayish-brown.
- Weight: 5 to 11 pounds
- Top speed: 80 mph
Geoffroys Cat
Northern Tiger Cat
Southern Tiger Cat
Guiña
African And Asiatic Wildcat
After some recent taxonomic changes, the wildcat species have been separated into the African and Asiatic wildcat, and the European wildcat. I saw the African wild cat at Kapama Reserve, near Kruger National Park in South Africa. Kafue National Park in Zambia has been suggested as a good spot for the wildcat.
IUCN Status: Least Concern
The European wildcat has a patchy distribution in the forests of Western, Southern, Central and Eastern Europe up to the Caucasus Mountains. A good place to look for the European Wildcat is in Cordillera Cantabrica in northern Spain, in the area around Boca de Huergano.
You May Like: Cost To Spay And Vaccinate A Cat
Types Of Wild Cats: Fun Facts
Using more relaxed criteria such as cat videos on the internet and sports mascots as popularity measures reminds us that American fondness for cats continues unabated. The story of the world of wild cats, a diverse family , begins by noting they inhabit a variety of grassland and forest habitats throughout Africa, Asia, Europe and the Americas. According to the 2015 International Union for the Conservation of Nature taxonomy, formally speaking, the worlds thirty seven species fit into fourteen genera:
To the average North American ear, some of the formal Latin names and common names, especially the big cats such as lions, tigers and leopards, sound more familiar than others. No doubt, the media attention provided for big cat conservation efforts explains the familiarity.
Tigers , the biggest of the big cats, also rank among the most endangered big cats. The IUCN estimates that approximately 5,000 7,000 tigers now live in the wild, down from approximately 100,000 at the beginning of the twentieth century. Five or six different tiger subspecies populations are now being monitored.
Regardless of familiarity, most of the North American audience recognizes the physical traits all wild cats share such as keen eyesight, round heads, whiskers, and retractable claws.
Canada Lynx Detection And Behaviour Using Remote Cameras During The Breeding Season
Shannon M. Crowley, Dexter P. Hodder, Karl W. Larsen
Abstract
The mother was impregnated using a new laparoscopic oviductal artificial insemination technique.
Now five months old, Reveillon is enjoining romping with her mother, Sala.
That is, when she can find her.
Ocelots once ranged from Mexico up into the southern states, including Texas, Arizona, Arkansas and Louisiana. Today there are an estimated 50 of these small cats remaining in the USA, including a breeding population found in South Texas on the Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge. While there have been several ocelot sightings in Arizona recently, all of them were wandering males and there is no evidence of their breeding in that state.
Phantom Cat of the Chaparral: Endangered Ocelot is a stunning 30 minute documentary that explains the critical work being done by land owners and biologists to save these cats. Released by the US Fish and Wildlife Southwest Region, it provides rare footage and tells the important story of what is being done.
An important addition to education efforts for these endangered cats, weve added it as a permanent page in our Cat Conservation section.
Give yourself a short break, sit back and relax with the ocelots in Texas!
Canada Lynx have been receiving a lot of limelight the past couple of months.
Also Check: What Age Is Considered A Kitten
Cats In The United States
Many different species of mammal can be classified as cats in the United States. These include domestic cat , of the species Felis catus medium-sized wild cats from the genus Lynx and big cats from the genera Puma and Panthera. Domestic cats vastly outnumber wild cats in the United States.
What Do You Mean By North American Big Cats
When you think of a big cat, maybe its the king of the jungle that springs to mind. Maybe you envision a tiger or something with spots, like a leopard or a cheetah. These quick and powerful creatures dont roam the wild areas of North America, but other feral felines do.
There are actually 23 different countries that make up our continent, but this article has a narrower focus.
Well take a closer look at the big cats that inhabit remote parts of the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
You May Like: What To Expect After Deworming A Cat
North American Wild Cat Species
North America is home to the:
- Jaguar Inhabits the Southwestern United States down through Mexico and into South America. The biggest wild cat in North America.
- Cougar the second biggest wild cat in North America. Can be found from Canada all the way down to South America.
- Ocelot this wild cat inhabits North America, down through Mexico and South America. Twice as big as a household cat.
- Jaguarundi can be found North America , Central America and South America. Mostly found in the lowlands where there is brush and water.
- Bobcat inhabits regions in southern Canada to Central Mexico. Has a similar appearance to a Canadian lynx.
- Canada lynx a medium size wild cat with thick fur, long legs, big paws, a black tipped tail and ear tufts.
Wild Cats Still Found Roaming The Us
In 2017, my local news channel ran an online piece titled, “TIMELINE: This week’s San Francisco mountain lion sightings.” And while the piece explicitly stated that such sightings were typically very rare, it was a little disconcerting to think even one such sighting could take place in a bustling metropolis like San Francisco.
But the reality is, as technologically advanced and digitally obsessed as our cities are, we’re all pretty much just guests in the wild space on which this country is built. “Many Americans don’t realize that even today we share our landscapes with wild cats,” says Shari Wilcox, Ph.D., Texas Representative for national conservation organization, Defenders of Wildlife in an email interview. “From the remote stretches of Arizona where the jaguar still prowls to bobcats lounging poolside in suburban backyards from cougars who pass before the Hollywood sign each night in Los Angeles to lynxes who bound down ski slopes. We share these spaces with wild cats across the U.S., and we have a responsibility to our feline neighbors to share these landscapes responsibly so that they have access to habitat, prey, and mates so that they may survive and thrive.”
Here are the six species of wild cats you may not have known still inhabit the U.S.:
Contents
Also Check: Where Can I Board My Cat
Types Of Wild Cats In North America With Pictures
As we watch our pet cats relentlessly stalk their toy mice across the house, its natural to compare them to their wild cousins, hunting prey deep in the forests across the savanna. Most of us in North America are familiar with big cats like lions and tigers, but many of us dont know as much about the wild felines located much closer to home. In this article, well discuss six types of wild cats found in North America. Well also talk about the threats to wild cat populations and what is being done to protect them.
Read on to learn more about the fascinating wild cats of North America!
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 , Atlantic Ocean , Arctic Ocean , South America and the Caribbean Sea .
Also Check: Tidy Cats Breeze Cat Litter Box System
The Six Wildcats Of North America
I am a blogger from Southern Oklahoma who loves to write about nature and animals.
A bobcat in Yosemite National Park
North America is home to six species of wildcats that are considered native to the continent: bobcats, lynx, ocelots, cougars, jaguars, and jaguarundis.
With more and more of their natural habitat disappearing, wildcatsas well as many other types of wildlifeare coming in closer contact with humans. In this article, you will learn all about the wildcats of North America, from specs like size and weight to fun facts about what makes these cats unique.
Note: The following sizes and weights refer to adult males.
Discover The Best Free Camping Across The Usa
To be honest with you, we hate paying for camping. There are so many free campsites in America .
You should give it a try!
As a matter of fact, these free campsites are yours. Every time you pay federal taxes, youre contributing to these lands.
Become a FREE CAMPING INSIDER and join the 100,000 campers that love to score the best site!
Well send you the 50 Best Free Campsites in the USA . Access the list by submitting your email below:
Wednesday 21st of April 2021
You were doing so well then you put a picture of a snow leopard in
Tonya Sweeney
Friday 26th of February 2021
I had an encounter with cougar a few years ago while out deer hunting with a friend. We have quite a few sightings every year here in the Eugene/Springfield and outlying areas. The population spread has pushed them to come in to towns, come close to school playgrounds and there’s more and more encounters with them. The hunting quotas for the cougars have not been meet for several years so there’s bound to be even more encounters and probably more attacks. The public hadny’t been engaged yet to push for more control over the cougar population, but I have a feeling it will be coming in the near future.
Cheryl Bacon
Thursday 25th of February 2021
We have a lot of Bobcats where we live in north of Houston. They stay to themselves and don’t bother anyone. I rather have a Bobcat in my yard than a coyote or wild pig, which we have a lot of too.
Also Check: How To Heal An Open Wound On A Cat
Summary On Different Kinds Of Wild Cats
Different kinds of wild cats- as per the research work there is around seven kind of cats found in various region like leopard, snow leopard, sunda, mountain lion, tiger, jaguar, cheetah etc. Among these species some of them are on threatened mark because of change in environment, loss of habitat their respective regions and locations.
If you enjoyed reading about the different kinds of wild cats across the globe, you may like to learn about where to encounter big cats, a complete guide on seeing cheetahs in the wild and where to see the lynx. Enjoy!
History Of The Eastern Cougar In North Carolina
The cougar, which is also commonly referred to as the mountain lion, used to be found all over North America. Before their numbers plummeted during the 18th and 19th centuries, there were 11 subspecies of cougar throughout the nation.
Only two of the subspecies were found east of the Mississippi River, the Eastern cougar and the Florida cougar. While the Florida cougar still inhabits southern Florida in very small numbers, the Eastern cougar has been believed to have gone extinct many years ago.
The decline in the Florida cougar and the extinction of the Eastern cougar was the result of habitat destruction, hunting, and a rapid decline of their primary prey, the whitetail deer. All of this was the result of human settlement and unfortunately, these beautiful creatures never recovered.
You May Like: Frisco 72 Inch Cat Tree
North American Wild Cats
Wild cat enthusiasts have a variety of outdoor travel and recreation opportunities associated with their hobby. Six wild cat species, covering four different genera, call North America home Their range extends through much of the west, making it prime wild cat spotting territory.
- Jaguar : North Americas only native big cat, sometime inhabits areas of the Southwestern United States. Its full range extends south to Argentina, suggesting it is adaptable to a variety of habitats. Limited range nationally decreases the probability of any regular tourist citings of them in the wild.
- Canada Lynx and Bobcat : Along with long legs and short tails, tufts of hair on the top of the ears represents the most unique characteristic of the genus. Many recreation areas throughout the west claim to support bobcat populations. A few northern recreation areas claim to support lynx populations. Local citings are recorded for interested visitors.
Mountain Lion Or Puma
About Mountain Lions: These North American big cats go by lots of names. Mountain lion and puma are two of the most common.
Some people call them cougars or panthers, and catamount is another term. They have tan coats, a lighter belly and chest, and black markings on their tail, ears, and snout.
They can weigh 150 pounds, and the jaguar is the only wild cat in North America thats larger.
Where They Are Found: Mountain lions used to roam freely all over the continent. In the U.S. these days, they are confined mostly to the western states.
They generally avoid populated areas, but that isnt always the case. Of the cats on our list, these are the big ones that should be the most worrisome. Attacks on humans are rare, but they do happen, sometimes in areas that are popular with hikers and cyclists. Mountain lions are listed as endangered species in some places. A rarer subspecies found only in Florida is critically endangered.
Tips for a Safe Encounter: Do not take a mountain lion sighting casually. You want to ward off a potential attack by any means necessary. Be aggressive, make noise, throw water, throw water, whatever it takes. Also, its a good idea to maintain eye contact.
Pro Tip: Your pets rely on you to keep them safe too. Find out how.
Also Check: Heart Worm Meds For Cats