Everything About Big Cats
Species facts, habitats, conservation status, and gifts for eleven of the world's big cats — from the tiger to the Sunda clouded leopard.
Explore SpeciesA Loose Family, Not A Single Species
"Big cat" isn't a formal scientific classification. Some naturalists reserve it for the genus Panthera — lion, tiger, leopard, and jaguar — while others use it more broadly to include cheetahs, cougars, and the snow leopard. Despite size differences, every species shares a similar body plan and hunting behavior. The cheetah stands apart from the rest: built for speed rather than power.
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Mammalia
- Order
- Carnivora
Species of Big Cat
Tiger
The largest cat species, striped for cover in tall grass.
Endangered
Lion
The only big cat that lives in social prides.
Vulnerable
Leopard
A powerful climber, often dragging prey into trees.
Vulnerable
Cheetah
The fastest land animal, built for speed over power.
Vulnerable
Cougar / Puma
Widest range of any wild cat in the Americas.
Stable
Jaguar
The only big cat native to the Americas that can roar.
Near Threatened
Lynx
Tufted ears and huge paws built for snow.
Stable
Bobcat
North America's most common wild cat.
Stable
Snow Leopard
A high-altitude specialist of the Himalayas and Central Asian mountains.
Vulnerable
Clouded Leopard
The best climber of the big cats, with the longest canines relative to skull size.
Vulnerable
Sunda Clouded Leopard
Found only on Borneo and Sumatra, slightly smaller and darker than its mainland cousin.
VulnerablePopulations Have Collapsed In 50 Years
Habitat destruction and poaching remain the primary threats to big cats worldwide. Lion, leopard, cheetah, and tiger populations have all fallen sharply across their historic range since the 1970s.
Mugs, Apparel, And More
Every species has its own gift page — postcards, address labels, mugs, apparel, and ornaments featuring tigers, lions, leopards, and more.