Felidae - Cats, Cheetahs, Lions, Tigers, Leopards

There are 36 species of cats in this family. Species in this family are found in all areas of the world, except for Australia and Antarctica. They vary in size from the domestic cat to the lion.

The members of this family are built for hunting. They stalk, chase, and pounce on their prey. Unlike the claws found in most carnivores, the claws of species in the cat family are retractable and can be drawn into their paws. This protects their sharp claws from wearing down.

They have sharp canine teeth that help them kill their prey. Most species in this family sever the spinal cord of their prey with their canines. Species in this family have rounded heads and short muzzles. They have excellent eyesight and hearing and a good sense of smell.

The big cats in this family, like the lion, tiger, jaguar, and leopard, can roar, but they can't purr. The small cats in this family, along with the pumas and the cheetah, can purr, but they can't roar! Most species in this order are solitary and hunt at night.

Species in this family include the cheetah, the caracal, the Chinese desert cat, the jaguarundi, the ocelot, the serval, the Eurasian lynx, the fishing cat, the lion, the tiger, and the snow leopard.

10. Caracal (Caracal caracal)

How big are we: 19kg, 42 pounds or 2.6 bowling balls

Where we live: Africa, Central Asia, and Southwestern Asia

9. Clouded Leopard (Neofelis nebulosa)

How big are we: 23kg, 51 pounds or 3.2 bowling balls

Where we live: South of the Himalayas around Nepal, Bhutan, and some areas of Northeastern India

8. Eurasian Lynx (Lynx lynx)

How big are we: 36kg, 79 pounds or 4.9 bowling balls

Where we live: From Western Europe to Russia to Tibet and Central Asia

7. Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus)

How big are we: 54 kg, 119 pounds or 7.4 bowling balls

Where we live: Sub-Saharan Africa and Northern Iran

6. Leopard (Panthera pardus)

How big are we: 65kg, 143 pounds or 8.9 bowling balls

Where we live: Africa and Asia

5. Snow Leopard (Uncia uncia)

How big are we: 75kg, 165 pounds or 10.3 bowling balls

Where we live: Central Asia to Northwestern China and Tibet

4. Cougar (Aka Puma and Mountain Lion) (Puma concolor)

How big are we: 120kg, 264 pounds or 16.5 bowling balls

Where we live: From Southern Argentina and Chile to Southeastern Alaska

3. Jaguar (Panthera onca)

How big are we: 136kg, 299 pounds, or 18.7 bowling balls

Where we live: Southern Arizona and New Mexico to Northern Argentina and Northeastern Brazil.

2. Lion (Panthera leo)

How big are we: 272 kg, 598 pounds, or 37.4 bowling balls

Where we live: Sub-Saharan Africa except in desert and rainforests

1. Siberian Tiger (Panthera tigris)

How big are we: 423kg, 931 pounds, or 58.2 bowling balls

Where we live: Northeastern China, Korea, Russia, parts of India, and around the Himalayas