Wild Cats
There are 38 species of cats on the planet.
Wild Cats
There are 38 species of cats on the planet. Most, like the margay, are relatively small.
But some—the lion, tiger, leopard, snow leopard, clouded leopard, jaguar, lynx, and cheetah—are big.
These big cats are among the most beloved and recognizable animals on the planet.
Most big cats are members of the genus Panthera. Small and medium cats, including housecats, are member of Felis.
Cheetahs, which do not have retractable claws, are in their own genus, called Acinonyx.
Big cats are found around the world in habitats as varied as mangrove swamps in India to wooded forests in the western U.S.
Source: National Geographic
Big Cats
Around the world, big cats are among the most recognized and admired animals, at the top of the food chain.
Yet all seven species are listed as Threatened or Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List, with the tiger categorized as Endangered.
WCS is in a unique position to help—we work to conserve all seven.
Source: WC
