The Big Cats - genus panthera |
The big cats - tiger, lion, jaguar, leopard - are the only cats that have the needed anatomy to be able to roar.
The Tiger
The tiger is the biggest of all wildcats and ranked #1 of the big cats. It is quite easy to distinguish from other cats by its unique fur-pattern. The biggest subspecies of tigers is the siberian tiger with an average length (head & body) of 1,90-2,20 meter. Some were recorded to have a length of 2,80 meter. Their average tail length is about 1 meter and their average shoulder hight about 1,10 meter. Male siberian tigers weigh somewhere between 180 and 306 kg while females weigh between 100 and 167 kg.
The tiger is the biggest of all wildcats and ranked #1 of the big cats. It is quite easy to distinguish from other cats by its unique fur-pattern. The biggest subspecies of tigers is the siberian tiger with an average length (head & body) of 1,90-2,20 meter. Some were recorded to have a length of 2,80 meter. Their average tail length is about 1 meter and their average shoulder hight about 1,10 meter. Male siberian tigers weigh somewhere between 180 and 306 kg while females weigh between 100 and 167 kg.
The White Tiger
The white tiger is a mutant of a bengal tiger. So far no other subspecies of tigers have shown the possibility to create white offspring. With the bengal tigers, the gene that creates this mutation is recessive and does just show every so often, although it is possibly to breed 2 white tigers to recreate more examples of tigers with this rare mutation. Inbreeding has lead to some health problems of white tigers, especially their eyes have commonly shown to be affected. It is not rare that a white tiger has to be treated quite early in his life, so that it won't lose it's eyesight.
The white tiger is a mutant of a bengal tiger. So far no other subspecies of tigers have shown the possibility to create white offspring. With the bengal tigers, the gene that creates this mutation is recessive and does just show every so often, although it is possibly to breed 2 white tigers to recreate more examples of tigers with this rare mutation. Inbreeding has lead to some health problems of white tigers, especially their eyes have commonly shown to be affected. It is not rare that a white tiger has to be treated quite early in his life, so that it won't lose it's eyesight.
The Lion
The lion is considered to rank second of the big cats in the world with some males exceeding a weight of 250 kg. The male lion is easily distinguished by its mane, which can look quite different depending on it's subspecies and origin. The mane exists to make the male lion look bigger in confrontations and intimidate the enemy. The mane also shows how healthy a lion is. A darker and denser mane shows that the lion is healthy and has a higher hormone count, which therefore makes him more atractive to female lions. The lion is considered the king of animals as the males are usually as lazy as they are strong. The females hunt during the day and the males get to eat, whatever their women have brought them, first.
The lion is considered to rank second of the big cats in the world with some males exceeding a weight of 250 kg. The male lion is easily distinguished by its mane, which can look quite different depending on it's subspecies and origin. The mane exists to make the male lion look bigger in confrontations and intimidate the enemy. The mane also shows how healthy a lion is. A darker and denser mane shows that the lion is healthy and has a higher hormone count, which therefore makes him more atractive to female lions. The lion is considered the king of animals as the males are usually as lazy as they are strong. The females hunt during the day and the males get to eat, whatever their women have brought them, first.
The White Lion
The white lion is a mutation of the kruger lion which is home in south africa. The breeding of white lions is very similar to the one of white tigers as the gene causing the unique coloring is almost identical. Although thanks to the larger amount of white lions there are no huge problems with inbreeding. White lions are in no meaning albinos like you might know from dogs and other animals.
The white lion is a mutation of the kruger lion which is home in south africa. The breeding of white lions is very similar to the one of white tigers as the gene causing the unique coloring is almost identical. Although thanks to the larger amount of white lions there are no huge problems with inbreeding. White lions are in no meaning albinos like you might know from dogs and other animals.
The Jaguar
The Jaguar is considered to be the 3rd largest of the big cats. The record weight reaches an astonishing 149 kg. Having its origin in america makes it the largest wildcat in the western hemisphere. Even tho a jaguar is in no means as large as a tiger or lion, there is still reason for fear. A bite of a jaguar is stronger than of any other wilcat and can easily crush a tortoise shell. If a jaguar was to be as big as a tiger it would be without a doubt the true king of all animals. The easiest way to distinguish a jaguar from other cats is its fur which has large rosettes filled with spots.
The Jaguar is considered to be the 3rd largest of the big cats. The record weight reaches an astonishing 149 kg. Having its origin in america makes it the largest wildcat in the western hemisphere. Even tho a jaguar is in no means as large as a tiger or lion, there is still reason for fear. A bite of a jaguar is stronger than of any other wilcat and can easily crush a tortoise shell. If a jaguar was to be as big as a tiger it would be without a doubt the true king of all animals. The easiest way to distinguish a jaguar from other cats is its fur which has large rosettes filled with spots.
The Leopard
The Leopard is ranked number 4 of the big cats, and is therefore smallest of them all (reaching a record weight of 96,5 kg). The leopard is found in most parts of africa and even in some parts of asia. The best way to distinguish a leopard form other cats is by looking at its fur which allways shows fairly small rosettes that are empty inside. Depending on the subspecies and the origin of the leopard the rosettes might be more round or rather square shaped, also the fur colour might vary.
Leopards are fantastic climbers, known to drag their kills up a tree and hang them there for later consumption.
The Leopard is ranked number 4 of the big cats, and is therefore smallest of them all (reaching a record weight of 96,5 kg). The leopard is found in most parts of africa and even in some parts of asia. The best way to distinguish a leopard form other cats is by looking at its fur which allways shows fairly small rosettes that are empty inside. Depending on the subspecies and the origin of the leopard the rosettes might be more round or rather square shaped, also the fur colour might vary.
Leopards are fantastic climbers, known to drag their kills up a tree and hang them there for later consumption.
The Black Panther
The black panther is against old beliefs not a species nor subspecies of any animal. It is simply a melanistic colour variation that can be found in several species of cats. The original fur pattern is not lost through the excess in melanin, they are simply ''hidden'' but might still be seen if the light shines correctly on the animal. In rare cases the excess melanin might also not be enough to completely cover the original markings on the fur. Species that can have this melanistic colour variation are jaguars leopards and in very very rare cases even tigers. Lately there have been pictures of black lions going around in the net, those are fake. Such things as black lions do not exist in nature and have not yet been bred (only in extremely rare cases have there been reports of lions with melanistic mutations, which give them black spots on some parts of their skin).
For more detailed information on mutations visit http://www.messybeast.com/genetics/hybrid-cats.htm
The black panther is against old beliefs not a species nor subspecies of any animal. It is simply a melanistic colour variation that can be found in several species of cats. The original fur pattern is not lost through the excess in melanin, they are simply ''hidden'' but might still be seen if the light shines correctly on the animal. In rare cases the excess melanin might also not be enough to completely cover the original markings on the fur. Species that can have this melanistic colour variation are jaguars leopards and in very very rare cases even tigers. Lately there have been pictures of black lions going around in the net, those are fake. Such things as black lions do not exist in nature and have not yet been bred (only in extremely rare cases have there been reports of lions with melanistic mutations, which give them black spots on some parts of their skin).
For more detailed information on mutations visit http://www.messybeast.com/genetics/hybrid-cats.htm