Lions aren’t the only kings of the animal kingdom. In celebration of African Cats, a showcase of the world’s largest felines, this guide introduces the diverse giants that roam the planet and what makes each one remarkable.
Snow Leopard
HABITAT: Snow leopards thrive in the high, rugged mountain ranges of South and Central Asia, where biting winds whip across jagged cliffs and snow-blanketed slopes. They move through alpine meadows and rocky outcrops, keeping to shadowed ledges that hide them from both weather and rivals. DIET: Like other big cats, they are carnivores, but food is scarce in their chilly homes. Their meals shift with the seasons and prey availability, ranging from wild goats and sheep to marmots, often requiring long pursuits and patient ambushes. DID YOU KNOW? The snow leopard carries deep symbolic meaning for Turkic peoples in Central Asia, representing endurance and guardianship of the mountains.
Lion
HABITAT: Lions inhabit hot, dry climates across Africa’s savannahs and the dry scrub forests of India, where open landscapes support cooperative hunting and hunting strategies that rely on teamwork. They favor regions that allow prides to roam and defend territories, while still keeping closers to prey herds. DIET: They prey on large, free-roaming mammals. In Africa, wildebeest and zebras are common meals, while Indian forests offer a variety of deer and other sizable herbivores. Lions frequently hunt in groups, a tactic that boosts success against large prey and promotes survival within the pride. DID YOU KNOW? The lion’s roar is among the loudest sounds made by any big cat, and it can be heard up to five kilometers away on calm nights.
Jaguar
HABITAT: Jaguars are primarily found in the Western Hemisphere, spanning from Brazil and Venezuela through much of South America up to Mexico and the US border. They prefer dense jungle environments but adapt to a wide mix of forested and open regions, including swamps, savannas, and river margins. DIET: Jaguars boast one of the most diverse diets among big cats. While they remain carnivores, their meals can include up to about ninety different species, from capybaras and caimans to deer, monkeys, fish, and reptiles. They often target larger prey, using powerful jaws to pierce through shells, bones, and thick hides. DID YOU KNOW? In Mayan culture jaguars were believed to communicate between the living and the dead, embodying a bridge between worlds.
Cheetah
HABITAT: Cheetahs are spread across Africa, parts of India and broader South Asia, favoring open grasslands, savannahs, forests on the fringe, and rocky areas that provide vantage points for spotting prey. They rely on wide, unobstructed terrain to accelerate to top speeds, then sprint with astonishing bursts of acceleration. DIET: Their meals lean toward smaller, fast-moving ungulates like gazelles and impalas. They may attempt smaller prey like young wildebeests and zebras when the opportunity arises, but their strategy centers on speed. DID YOU KNOW? The cheetah holds the title of the fastest land mammal, capable of reaching speeds around 120 kilometers per hour in short bursts.
Small Cats!
Compared with tigers, the largest wild cat and capable of weighing up to 227 kilograms or 500 pounds, these smaller cousins still display sharp instincts and remarkable agility. They adapt to a variety of habitats and possess hunting skills that contrast with their bigger relatives.
FLAT-HEADED CAT 1.5 to 2.5 kg, roughly 3 to 5.5 pounds.
ONCILLA 2 to 3 kg, about 4 to 6.6 pounds.
SAND CAT 2 to 3.4 kg, around 4 to 7.5 pounds.
LEOPARD CAT 2.5 to 7 kg, about 5.5 to 15 pounds.
PALLAS’ CAT 3 to 4.5 kg, roughly 6 to 10 pounds.
PAMPAS CAT 3 to 7 kg, about 6 to 15 pounds.
GEOFFROY’S CAT 3 to 8 kg, roughly 6 to 17 pounds.
MARGAY 3 to 9 kg, around 6 to 20 pounds.