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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.

The members of this family are built for hunting, and they vary in size from the domestic house cat to the lion.

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 sharp canine teeth. 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 pumas and cheetahs, 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.

  • The cheetah is found in Sub-Saharan Africa. It is the fastest land mammal in the world. IUCN Redlist Status: Vulnerable
    Cheetah
    (Acinonyx jubatus)
    The cheetah is found in Sub-Saharan Africa. It is the fastest land mammal in the world. IUCN Redlist Status: Vulnerable
  • The caracal is found over much of Africa, Central Asia and southwestern Asia. It can jump up to 10 feet in the air to catch flying birds. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Caracal
    (Caracal caracal)
    The caracal is found over much of Africa, Central Asia and southwestern Asia. It can jump up to 10 feet in the air to catch flying birds. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The jungle cat is found in Asia and North Africa. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Jungle Cat
    (Felis chaus)
    The jungle cat is found in Asia and North Africa. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The sand cat is well adapted to its arid desert habitat. It gets all the water it needs from its food. It is found in three distinct areas of the world: Sahara Desert of Africa in the countries of Algeria, Niger and Morocco; throughout the Arabian Peninsula; and in parts of Central Asia including Turkmenistan, Iran, Pakistan and Afghanistan. IUCN Redlist Status: Near Threatened
    Sand Cat
    (Felis margarita)
    The sand cat is well adapted to its arid desert habitat. It gets all the water it needs from its food. It is found in three distinct areas of the world: Sahara Desert of Africa in the countries of Algeria, Niger and Morocco; throughout the Arabian Peninsula; and in parts of Central Asia including Turkmenistan, Iran, Pakistan and Afghanistan. IUCN Redlist Status: Near Threatened
  • The black-footed cat is the smallest wild cat in Africa. It is found in the dry steppe and savannah regions of South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe and Namibia. IUCN Redlist Status: Vulnerable
    Black-Footed Cat
    (Felis nigripes)
    The black-footed cat is the smallest wild cat in Africa. It is found in the dry steppe and savannah regions of South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe and Namibia. IUCN Redlist Status: Vulnerable
  • Wild cats are found throughout continental Europe, southwestern Asia, and the savannah regions of Africa. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Wild Cat
    (Felis silvestris)
    Wild cats are found throughout continental Europe, southwestern Asia, and the savannah regions of Africa. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • Geoffroy's cat is found throughout most of the southern half of South America. IUCN Redlist Status: Near Threatened
    Geoffroy's Cat
    (Leopardus geoffroyi)
    Geoffroy's cat is found throughout most of the southern half of South America. IUCN Redlist Status: Near Threatened
  • The guigna is also known as the kodkod. It is found in central and southern Chile and Argentina. IUCN Redlist Status: Vulnerable
    Guigna
    (Leopardus guigna)
    The guigna is also known as the kodkod. It is found in central and southern Chile and Argentina. IUCN Redlist Status: Vulnerable
  • Andean cats are found in the Andean mountain region of southern Peru and Bolivia to northern Chile and northwestern Argentina. They are one of the most endangered wild cats in the world. IUCN Redlist Status: Endangered
    Andean Cat
    (Leopardus jacobita)
    Andean cats are found in the Andean mountain region of southern Peru and Bolivia to northern Chile and northwestern Argentina. They are one of the most endangered wild cats in the world. IUCN Redlist Status: Endangered
  • Ocelots are powerful climbers, and their webbed forepaws make them good swimmers. They are found from Southwestern Texas to northern Argentina. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Ocelot
    (Leopardus pardalis)
    Ocelots are powerful climbers, and their webbed forepaws make them good swimmers. They are found from Southwestern Texas to northern Argentina. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • This little spotted cat has been reported as far north as Costa Rica and Panama south to southeastern Brazil and northern Argentina. IUCN Redlist Status: Vulnerable
    Oncilla
    (Leopardus tigrinus)
    This little spotted cat has been reported as far north as Costa Rica and Panama south to southeastern Brazil and northern Argentina. IUCN Redlist Status: Vulnerable
  • Margays are found in forested regions from Northern Mexico to Uruguay and northern Argentina. IUCN Redlist Status: Near Threatened
    Margay
    (Leopardus wiedii)
    Margays are found in forested regions from Northern Mexico to Uruguay and northern Argentina. IUCN Redlist Status: Near Threatened
  • The serval primarily eats small rodents and ground birds. It is found throughout the savannas of Africa. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Serval
    (Leptailurus serval)
    The serval primarily eats small rodents and ground birds. It is found throughout the savannas of Africa. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • About 75% of the lynx's diet is made up of the snowshoe hare. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Canada Lynx
    (Lynx canadensis)
    About 75% of the lynx's diet is made up of the snowshoe hare. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • Eurasian lynx are found throughout Europe and Siberia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Eurasian Lynx
    (Lynx lynx)
    Eurasian lynx are found throughout Europe and Siberia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The Iberia lynx, also known as the Spanish lynx. is found in the Iberian Peninsula in Spain. IUCN Redlist Status: Vulnerable
    Iberian Lynx
    (Lynx pardinus)
    The Iberia lynx, also known as the Spanish lynx. is found in the Iberian Peninsula in Spain. IUCN Redlist Status: Vulnerable
  • Bobcats were once found throughout most of North America from northern Mexico to southern Canada. They are found in New Hampshire. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Bobcat
    (Lynx rufus)
    Bobcats were once found throughout most of North America from northern Mexico to southern Canada. They are found in New Hampshire. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • Clouded leopards are found south of the Himalayas in Nepal, Bhutan. They are also found in northeastern India, Myanmar, southern China, Taiwan, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, and mainland Malaysia. IUCN Redlist Status: Vulnerable
    Clouded Leopard
    (Neofelis nebulosa)
    Clouded leopards are found south of the Himalayas in Nepal, Bhutan. They are also found in northeastern India, Myanmar, southern China, Taiwan, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, and mainland Malaysia. IUCN Redlist Status: Vulnerable
  • Pallas' cat is about the size of a domestic cat. It is found throughout Central Asia, from western Iran to western China. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Pallas's Cat
    (Otocolobus manul)
    Pallas' cat is about the size of a domestic cat. It is found throughout Central Asia, from western Iran to western China. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • African lions live in most of Sub-Saharan Africa. They are the only members of the cat family to have males and females that look distinctly different. IUCN Redlist Status: Vulnerable
    African Lion
    (Panthera leo)
    African lions live in most of Sub-Saharan Africa. They are the only members of the cat family to have males and females that look distinctly different. IUCN Redlist Status: Vulnerable
  • Jaguars are found from southern Arizona and New Mexico south toward northern Argentina and northeastern Brazil. Its name comes from the native Indian name ‘yaguara', meaning ‘a beast that kills its prey with one bound. IUCN Redlist Status: Near Threatened
    Jaguar
    (Panthera onca)
    Jaguars are found from southern Arizona and New Mexico south toward northern Argentina and northeastern Brazil. Its name comes from the native Indian name ‘yaguara', meaning ‘a beast that kills its prey with one bound. IUCN Redlist Status: Near Threatened
  • Leopards are the largest cats to climb trees on a regular basis. They are found in are found in Africa and some parts of Asia. IUCN Redlist Status: Vulnerable
    Leopard
    (Panthera pardus)
    Leopards are the largest cats to climb trees on a regular basis. They are found in are found in Africa and some parts of Asia. IUCN Redlist Status: Vulnerable
  • Each tiger has its very own stripe pattern! Tigers are found in China, Korea, Russia, and parts of India and the Himalayan region. IUCN Redlist Status: Endangered
    Tiger
    (Panthera tigris)
    Each tiger has its very own stripe pattern! Tigers are found in China, Korea, Russia, and parts of India and the Himalayan region. IUCN Redlist Status: Endangered
  • Snow leopards are found in the mountain ranges of Central Asia stretching from northwestern China to Tibet and the Himalayas. IUCN Redlist Status: Vulnerable
    Snow Leopard
    (Panthera uncia)
    Snow leopards are found in the mountain ranges of Central Asia stretching from northwestern China to Tibet and the Himalayas. IUCN Redlist Status: Vulnerable
  • The Borneo bay cat is found on the island of Borneo. IUCN Redlist Status: Endangered
    Borneo Bay Cat
    (Pardofelis badia)
    The Borneo bay cat is found on the island of Borneo. IUCN Redlist Status: Endangered
  • Marbled cats have a very long tail. They are found in Nepal and Sikkim through northern Myanmar to Thailand, Indochina, Malaya, Sumatra, and Borneo. IUCN Redlist Status: Near Threatened
    Marbled Cat
    (Pardofelis marmorata)
    Marbled cats have a very long tail. They are found in Nepal and Sikkim through northern Myanmar to Thailand, Indochina, Malaya, Sumatra, and Borneo. IUCN Redlist Status: Near Threatened
  • The Asian golden cat is found throughout southeast Asia. IUCN Redlist Status: Vulnerable
    Asian Golden Cat
    (Pardofelis temminckii)
    The Asian golden cat is found throughout southeast Asia. IUCN Redlist Status: Vulnerable
  • The leopard cat is found from Java and Bali, north to southeastern Siberia and Manchuria, as far east as India, and westward to Korea and the Philippines. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Leopard Cat
    (Prionailurus bengalensis)
    The leopard cat is found from Java and Bali, north to southeastern Siberia and Manchuria, as far east as India, and westward to Korea and the Philippines. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The historical range of the flat-headed cat is restricted to the islands of Borneo and Sumatra and the Malay Peninsula. IUCN Redlist Status: Endangered
    Flat-Headed Cat
    (Prionailurus planiceps)
    The historical range of the flat-headed cat is restricted to the islands of Borneo and Sumatra and the Malay Peninsula. IUCN Redlist Status: Endangered
  • The rusty-spotted cat is only found in the southern parts of India, Gujarat, Jammu, and Kashmir, and in Sri Lanka. IUCN Redlist Status: Near Threatened
    Rusty-Spotted Cat
    (Prionailurus rubiginosus)
    The rusty-spotted cat is only found in the southern parts of India, Gujarat, Jammu, and Kashmir, and in Sri Lanka. IUCN Redlist Status: Near Threatened
  • Fishing cats are found in India, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Thailand, Java, and Pakistan. IUCN Redlist Status: Vulnerable
    Fishing Cat
    (Prionailurus viverrinus)
    Fishing cats are found in India, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Thailand, Java, and Pakistan. IUCN Redlist Status: Vulnerable
  • The Florida panther is a subspecies of the mountain lion. Its range is limited to small areas in It once roamed large areas of the southeastern United States. It is an endangered species in the U.S.
    Florida Panther
    (Puma concolor coryi)
    The Florida panther is a subspecies of the mountain lion. Its range is limited to small areas in It once roamed large areas of the southeastern United States. It is an endangered species in the U.S.
  • Historically, mountain lions had the most extensive distribution of American terrestrial mammals. They ranged from coast to coast in North America, and from southern Argentina and Chile to southeastern Alaska. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Mountain Lion
    (Puma concolor)
    Historically, mountain lions had the most extensive distribution of American terrestrial mammals. They ranged from coast to coast in North America, and from southern Argentina and Chile to southeastern Alaska. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The jaguarundi is native to Central America and the northern and central countries of South America down to Argentina. It can be found, on rare occasions, in extreme southeast Arizona and Texas. The jaguarundi is a federal endangered species in the United States. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Jaguarundi
    (Puma yagouaroundi)
    The jaguarundi is native to Central America and the northern and central countries of South America down to Argentina. It can be found, on rare occasions, in extreme southeast Arizona and Texas. The jaguarundi is a federal endangered species in the United States. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern

Did You Know?

The ocelot, like the other members of this family, is built for hunting.
The ocelot, like the other members of this family, is built for hunting.

World Status Key

Status and range is taken from IUCN Redlist

Least Concern
Near Threatened
Vulnerable
Endangered
Critically Endangered
Extinct in the Wild
Extinct
Not Enough Data

U.S. Status Key

Status taken from US Fish and Wildlife

Threatened in US
Endangered in US
Introduced

NH Status Key

Status taken from NH Fish and Game

Threatened in NH
Endangered in NH
Breeds in NH (birds)

Location Key

Africa
Asia
Australia/Oceania
Europe
North/Central America
south america alt
South America

New Hampshire Species

Bobcat - Lynx rufusLeast ConcernNorth/Central America
Canada Lynx - Lynx canadensisLeast ConcernThreatened in USEndangered in NHNorth/Central America

Other Species Around the World

Florida Panther - Puma concolor coryiEndangered in USNorth/Central America
Jaguar - Panthera oncaNear ThreatenedEndangered in USNorth/Central AmericaSouth America
Jaguarundi - Herpailurus yagouaroundiLeast ConcernEndangered in USNorth/Central AmericaSouth America
Margay - Leopardus wiediiNear ThreatenedEndangered in USNorth/Central AmericaSouth America
Ocelot - Leopardus pardalisLeast ConcernEndangered in USNorth/Central AmericaSouth America

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