By definition, a big cat is actually not determined by size but by a very specific feature. A big cat cannot purr; it roars. There are anatomical reasons for that.
The hyoid bone, a bone at the front of the neck near the larynx, is not completely ossified – not fully bone – in the big cats. The vocal fold in all big cats (except for the snow leopard) is quite large, at least 2 centimeters. This combination allows for loud, deep vibrations.
A large resonance chamber, for example, the lion’s massive chest, produces a roar that can travel long distances. The best-known roaring cat, the lion, can be heard over 5 km away.
However despite being part of the same lineage the snow leopard can no longer roar.
The big cats are mostly in the Panthera genus.
Two are in the Neofelis genus – the clouded leopards of Southeast Asia
Leopards are one of the best known cats, but quite difficult to find. Often all you will see is a glimpse of them as the disappear off into the bushes. They are though quite widespread and with luck you will see one of these beautiful cats on safari.
The jaguar (Panthera onca) stands out with its powerful build and distinctive rosettes, marking it as the apex predator of the New World. Residing from Argentina to the US, they favor tropical rainforests and wetlands. Jaguars are solitary, skilled in ambush hunting, pr…
Lions are the iconic big cat. We all know what they looks like. Its social structure of living in prides is unique among cats. Their majestic appearance is emphasized by the mane of the males.
The Clouded Leopard is one of the most difficult cats to find. Hidden away in the rainforests of South and South East Asia, the cat is rarely seen and even more rarely photographed.
One of the most elusive of the cats, the snow leopard is found mostly on the Tibetan plateau. Improvements in infrastructure in its habitat makes the cat more accessible than ever and the need to protect it even more urgent.
Also known as the Borneo Clouded Leopard, the Sunda Clouded Leopard once roamed all of the Sunda Islands. Today it is confined to the island of Borneo and has recently been classified as a species in its own right.
The Tiger needs no introduction. The largest of the cat family is found throughout Asia but the majority of the population is found in India. The conservation efforts of the last years have been most successful in India where some of the national parks are ‘overflowing’…