ENTERFun Facts About Big

Cats!

Choose A Big Cat!

Jaguars

Lions

Cheetahs Bobcats

Tigers

Leopards

About BCR

Jaguar: Panthera oncaCommon Name: JaguarKingdom: AnimaliaPhylum: Chordata (Vertebrata)Class: MammaliaOrder: CarnivoraFamily: FelidaeGenus: Pantherinae PantheraSpecies: oncaMisc.: The Jaguar and the Leopard are often confused with one another in zoos. Their coloring and markings are so similar that it is difficult for people to distinguish them. The difference lies in the center of the Jaguars rosettes, because unlike the leopard, the Jaguar has spots inside of its rosettes! The Jag is also a much stockier animal than its cousin, with shorter legs and tail – giving it more of a pit bull type appearance.

Jaguars

Common Name: LeopardKingdom: AnimaliaPhylum: Chordata (Vertebrata)Class: MammaliaOrder: CarnivoraFamily: FelidaeGenus: Pantherinae PantheraSpecies: pardus (asian)Misc: This cat, in its melanistic color phase, is often mistakenlyreferred to as a black panther. This species has been (and isstill) illegally hunted throughout its range for sport, and for itsfur.The leopard is capable of running just under 40 miles per hourfor brief periods. It can leap more than 20 feet horizontally,and 10 feet vertically. It is also a very adept swimmer.

Leopards

Common Name: LionKingdom: AnimaliaPhylum: Chordata (Vertebrata)Class: MammaliaOrder: CarnivoraFamily: FelidaeGenus: Pantherinae PantheraSpecies: leoNOTE: The lions discussed below are African and Asian.Misc: The Lion is the only cat with tufted tails (both sexes) and manes(males), with the manes allowing them to be the only cat which youcan distinguish gender from a distance. They are also the only truesocial cat and live in groups called “prides.” The lion has often beencalled “the King of the Jungle,” but that would be most inaccurate. Thelion’s habitat does not include the jungle, and therefore, the correctphrase would refer to the lion as “the King of Beasts.”

Lions

Common Name: TigerKingdom: AnimaliaPhylum: Chordata (Vertebrata)Class: MammaliaOrder: CarnivoraFamily: FelidaeGenus: Pantherinae PantheraSpecies: tigrisMisc: This species has been (and is still) widely hunted throughout itsrange for sport, for the fur trade, and for the traditional Asian medicinemarket. For the medicine trade – no part of the Tiger’s body goes unused (seediagram below). The tiger is one of the best known mammals, and has become asymbol everywhere for conservation.  Today, sadly, there are more tigers in captivitythen exist in the wild. There are thought to be beween 5,000 and 10,000 tigers in U.S.cages and 90% of them are in miserable roadside zoos, backyard breeder facilities,circus wagons and pet homes. Read about the conviction of those involved in cannedhunts in the US.

Tigers

Kingdom: AnimalPhylum: ChordataClass: MammaliaOrder: CarnivoreFamily: FelidaeSubfamily: AcinonychinaeGenus: Acinonyxspecies:JubatusThe word “Cheetah” is derived from the Hindi word“Chita” meaning “spotted one”. The Cheetah is thefastest land animal reaching speeds of 45 – 70

mph.Cheetahs have also been known to swim, althoughthey do not like to. The Cheetah is not one of theGreat Cats, because it does not have a floatingHyoid bone in its neck it can not roar, therefore it isa Lesser Cat. Cheetahs have been consideredthrough out history to be a sleek and beautiful cat.

Cheetahs

Common Name: BobcatKingdom: AnimaliaPhylum: Chordata (Vertebrata)Class: MammaliaOrder: CarnivoraFamily: FelidaeGenus: Felinae (Lynx)Species: rufusSub-Species: L.r. escuinapae Mexican bobcatMisc: This cat is named for its short tail. The Bobcat is a

medium sized cat with a ruff of fur around the sides of the face. They weigh between 13-30 pounds, stand 21 inches high and are 30-50 inches long.

Bobcats

About BCR

Contact Us Visit Our Web Page

Big Cat Rescue12802 Easy StreetTampa, FL 33625

813.920.4130Info@BigCatRescue.org

Caring for Cats | Ending The Trade

www.bigcatrescue.org

Also Check out

www.wwf.orgFor More Animal Facts!