Distribution of the Big Cats
Thirty-eight species of cats exist on our planet. Most of them are relatively small.The term “big cat” is are usually used to relate to any of the five species of the genus Panthera: lion (Panthera leo), tiger (Panthera tigris), jaguar (Panthera onca), leopard (Panthera pardus), and snow leopard (Panthera uncia). Excluding for the snow leopard, these big cat species can roar. A more extensive explanation of the term covers species outside of Panthera including the cougar (Puma concolor), clouded leopard (Neofelis nebulosa), Sunda clouded leopard (Neofelis diardi), cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) and even the several lynxes species. But, these added species also do not roar.Notwithstanding enormous diversity in size, different cat species are pretty alike in both body structure and behaviour, except the cheetah, which significantly stands out from the other big and small cats. All cats are carnivores.Spatial distribution of the Big CatsNatural ranges of all big cats cover all landmasses of…
