From fast to fierce: fascinating facts about wild cats
Lynx, leopards, cheetahs, tigers... who doesn't like big cats? But did you know that there are 40 cat species out there, fantastic felines of dazzling variety that inhabit all areas of the world (except Australia and Antarctica)?
Click through the following gallery and admire these lithe, agile, sometimes fearsome, but always beautiful creatures... without having to get too close!
Snow leopard
The snow leopard is the only "big cat" that calls the frigid deserts of Asia home. Furthermore, this is the only species of big cat that can't roar.
Black panther
A black panther is either a leopard or jaguar with melanism—the increased development of the dark-colored pigment melanin in the skin or hair.
Cheetah
It's estimated that a cheetah can reach speeds of up to 93 km/h (57 mph) in short bursts, and can accelerate faster than a sports car.
Leopard cat
In 2001, the fossilized remains of leopard cats were excavated at Neolithic villages in Central China, indicating that this diminutive species was domesticated at least 5,000 years ago. Pictured is an inquisitive kitten.
Asian golden cat
This cat's name is a slight misnomer: its fur can also be brown, cinnamon, grey, or black—colors that have evolved depending on an individual feline's habitat.
Rusty-spotted cat
One of the smallest cat species in the world (about two times smaller than domestic felines), the rusty-spotted cat is known as "kola diviya" or "balal diviya" in Sri Lanka.
Ocelot
Both males and females of the species emit a long-range "yowl" in the mating season as well as a short-range "meow." They've also been known to "mutter" to one another.
Eurasian lynx
Europe's third largest predator after brown bears and wolves, this is also the largest of the lynx species.
Pallas's cat
About the size of a domestic cat, this species has the longest and densest fur of any feline, with all the fluff creating the illusion of a much bigger animal.
Iberian lynx
The Iberian lynx is the most endangered feline in the world. Its population in the wild has declined by over 80% in the past 20 years.
Canada lynx
Long, round feet each with a big toe set at a wide-angle help distribute the weight of this cat and allow it to stay on top of deep snow. In fact, this feline has natural snowshoes for paws!
Serval
Servals have the largest ears of any cat—almost the length of their face.
Oncilla
Young oncillas have been known to purr, while adults have been observed making short, gurgling calls when in close proximity to one another.
