Big cats exist in an entirely separate world from their relatives,
the domesticated house cat. Although all cats fall under the Felidae family, members of the Panthera genus—which includes lions, tigers, jaguars, and leopards—are known for their speed, sound, and predatory nature.The ferocious side of big cats—embodied by the mighty roar of a lion—is offset by their natural grace and swift pace. The cheetah can run at the breakneck
speed of 70 miles an hour (113 kilometers an hour), with just one foot touching the ground per stride. Snow leopards have the ability to jump well over 50 feet (15 meters) in a single leap, and other leopards can easily scale trees.Unlike their indoor relatives, who purr when happy or sad,
members of the Panthera genus can roar, thanks to thick vocal cords and a flexible larynx that produces a roaring sound when the cats exhale. Cheetahs are the exception to the rule, whining or growling when afraid. Adult lions, whose roar can be heard up to five miles (eight kilometers) away, are known by their tails, which end in a distinctive tuft of 
hair.Big cats are currently threatened due to poaching and habitat destruction. The lion, now confined to Africa and selected parts of India, has been classified as vulnerable because of a loss of habitat and inbreeding, which leads to decreased genetic
diversity. Also in danger are tigers, snow leopards, and Amur leopards, although cheetahs and jaguars are not out of harm’s way.Big Cats Facts
· The cheetah is the world's fastest land mammal. It can run at speeds of up to 70 miles an hour (113 kilometers an hour).
· An adult lion's roar can be heard up to five miles (eight kilometers) away.
· Long, muscular hind legs enable snow leopards to leap seven times their own body length in a single bound.
· A tiger's stripes are like fingerprints—no two animals have the same pattern.
· The strongest climber among the big cats, a leopard can carry prey twice its weight up a tree.
· The Amur leopard is one of the most endangered animals in the world.
· In one stride, a cheetah can cover 23 to 26 feet (7 to 8 meters).
· The name "jaguar" comes from a Native American word meaning "he who kills with one leap."
· In the wild, lions live for an average of 12 years and up to 16 years. They live up to 25 years in captivity.
· The mountain lion and the cheetah share an ancestor.
· Cheetahs do not roar, as the other big cats do. Instead, they purr.
· Tigers are excellent swimmers and do not avoid water.
· A female Amur leopard gives birth to one to four cubs in each litter.
· Fossil records from two million years ago show evidence of jaguars.
· Lions are the only cats that live in groups, called prides. Every female within the pride is usually related.
· The leopard is the most widespread of all big cats.
· Mountain lions are strong jumpers, thanks to muscular hind legs that are longer than their front legs.
· Tigers have been hunted for their skin, bones, and other body parts, used in traditional Chinese medicine.
· Unlike other cats, lions have a tuft of hair at the end of their tails.
· After humans, mountain lions have the largest range of any mammal in the Western Hemisphere.
It is amazing how animals are so beautiful and specially adapted to where they live.
Tell me the tree most interesting facts you learned about these big cats.
Then tell me if you would have any of these big cats as a pet, which would it be and why?
Here are 3 interesting facts I learned about the big cats.
ReplyDelete1.Snow leopards only purr.
2.Lions have tufts on the end of there tails.
3.Tigers have stripes and none of them have the same.I would have one of the big cats.I would like to have a tiger because I have a very cute stuffed animal thats a tiger and its name is Tiny India.
By Ginny Lee
big These cats look jump over 50 feet. If I were to keep one of these big cats I would keep the lion because it is my favorite big cat well in the outdoors because they fit in. A leopard can well by ARNAV
ReplyDelete1.First snow leopards cant reor at all, they only purr.
ReplyDelete2.Tigers are very good swimmers.
3.Cheetahs are the most fastest land mammle.
By: Sarah
It is so amazing how animals live and I know how every animal lives. They are big, furry, fast, has a lot of spots and they have big teeth. I would have it as a pet because I can run with it and I could ride it like a horse.
ReplyDeleteBy: Joseph Mancuso
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteIt is amazing how animals are so beautiful and specially adapted to where they live.
ReplyDeleteTell me the most interesting facts you learned about these big cats.
Then tell me if you would have any of these big cats as a pet, which would it be and why?
The most interesting facts I learned about these big cats are that the name “jaguar” comes from a native American word meaning “ he who kills with one leap. “ Another fact is that the mountain lion and the cheetahs share an ancestor.
The big cat that I would choose as a pet is a
Larynx because they’re cubs are really cute.
By Nergis