Everything about Big Cats totally explained
Big cat distinguishes large
cat species from smaller ones. One definition of
big cat includes only the four species of cat in the
genus Panthera: the
lion,
tiger,
leopard, and
jaguar. Members of this genus are the only cats able to roar, and this is sometimes considered a distinguishing characteristic of big cats. A more expansive definition also includes the
cheetah,
snow leopard,
clouded leopard, and
cougar. The roaring cats may also be distinguished from the other big cats by referring to them as "
great cats".
Three of the four largest cats are members of the genus
Panthera; the cougar is the fourth largest cat, exceeding the leopard in size. Some medium-sized cats like the
Eurasian lynx may weigh as much as 30 kg (66 lb), but they're not considered big cats.
Despite enormous differences in size, the various species of cat are amazingly similar in both structure and behavior. All cats are
carnivores and efficient
predators. Their range includes the
Americas,
Africa,
Asia, and
Europe;
Australia and
Antarctica have no
indigenous species of cats.
Roaring
The ability to roar comes from an elongated and specially adapted
larynx and
hyoid apparatus.. When air passes through the larynx on the way to the lungs, the cartilage walls of the larynx vibrate, producing sound. The lion's larynx is longest, giving it the most robust roar. Though jaguars are considered great cats, they're not often known to roar and have a less developed larynx. The snow leopard is also said to have a larynx nearly adapted for roaring, but it's far less developed than that of the jaguar.
Threats
The principal threats to big cats are
habitat destruction and
poaching. In the United States, 19 states have banned ownership of big cats and other dangerous exotic animals as pets, and the Captive Wildlife Safety Act bans the interstate sale and transportation of these animals. Nevertheless, there are still an estimated 15,000 big cats kept captive in the United States, and only a small percentage of them are in accredited zoos. The remainder are in private homes and nonaccredited roadside zoos.
Species
Family
Felidae
Further Information
Get more info on 'Big Cats'.
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