The 'Big Cats' family

Tigers are one of the biggest among the 37 species' of cats in the world today. The Cats range from the domestic tabby that stretches contentedly in front of you and occasionally gives in to its primitive hunting instincts, dropping a half dead bird at your feet, to the mighty lions of Africa and Asia which depend on their hunting instincts and skills for survival. Strictly speaking, only five of these species are 'Big Cats'.

They all belong to the Panthera family The Jaguar is found in the American continent while the others are found in the jungles of Africa and Asia. The Jaguar (Panthera onca) is found in the dense forests of America. The coat of the Jaguar is yellow with black spots arranged in rosettes of four or five around a central spot. The Jaguar weighs around 130kg. to 140kg.The other four big Cats are the Lion (Panthera Leo), the Tiger (Panthera Tigris), the Snow Leopard, also known as the Ounce, (Panthera Uncia), and the Leopard (Panthera Pardus).All these mighty predators are found in Africa and Asia.