Chasing Wildlife’s guide to animals
Understanding wildlife is integral to spotting them in the wild. It is also a cornerstone of good photography.
Getting good images involves understanding the habits and preferences of animals so that you can predict their behavior. Intimate understanding and a connection with the animal leads to better photography.
Use the wildlife guide to learn as much as possible about your target subject before you head out into the wild.
Wild Animal Information
Ocelot
Who can resist the large eyes of an Ocelot? The jungle cat ranges from the US to South America, but is not often seen as it inhabits the deep jungle. Chances of an encounter are higher than for other cats as it is somewhat active during the day time.
Canada Lynx
Discover the fascinating world of the Canadian lynx (lynx canadensis) and learn about its habits, habitat, and conservation efforts. Its beautiful thick fur keeps it warm in the winter and the massive paws allow it to walk on snow with ease.
Borneo Bay Cat
The Borneo Bay Cat is one of the least well known and least studied of the cats. Its life in the Borneo rainforests is a closely guarded secret and it has rarely been photographed.
Clouded Leopard
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.
Leopard
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.
Snow Leopard
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.
Tiger
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’…
Marbled Cat
The mysterious marbled cat lives throughout Southeast Asia but the highest chance of seeing one, appears to be Borneo. Despite its similar appearance it is not closely related to the clouded leopards.
Chinese Desert Cat
The rare Chinese Mountain cat or Chinese Desert Cat is found in the mountains of North West China. Though closely related to the domestic cat it is one of the least well known cat species.
Sunda Clouded Leopard
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.
Oncilla
From the Jungles of Brazil to the Pampas of Uruguay, you can find the Oncilla. It is small though so know and understand the cat well before you travel to look for it in the wild.
Mountain Lion
The Mountain Lion is the most widespread of the cats in the Americas. Also known as the Puma or Cougar, it ranges from Patagonia to Canada and is most often seen in the mountains.
Kodkod
The Kodkod or Guina is also known as the Chilean Cat. It has a lot of names but is not seen very often. It is at home in the mountains and islands of southern Chile.
Jungle Cat
The Jungle Cat, Felis chaus, contrary to its name lives primarily in the grasslands but is at home in the jungles of Asia as well. It is one of the larger members of the Felis genus.
Margay
The Margay is a jungle cat from the Americas. It resembles its close cousin the Ocelot, in a lot of ways, not least its looks. The fact that it is called Baumozelot, or Tree Ocelot in German, explains a lot. It does spend a lot more time in the trees than its relative.
Iberian Lynx
Once listed as the most endangered of the cats, the Iberian Lynx is well on the way to recovery. A photographic trip to Southern Spain gives you a good chance to spot this cat in the wild.
Jaguarundi
Dive into the fascinating world of Jaguarundi, a unique relative of cougars and cheetahs. The Jaguarundi lives from the US down to Argentina.
Pampas Cat
The Pampas Cat is very widespread in South America. Of all the small American cats it is most often seen though is not very numerous. It is adapting well to ranchland but is still threatened by habitat destruction.
Flat-Headed Cat
The Flat-headed Cat is native to Malaysia and Indonesia. It is a very rare cat and difficult to spot in the wild. It fills much of the same niche as the Fishing Cat.
Serval
The serval is well known from BBC documentaries showing its amazing jumping prowess. Catching birds in the air isn’t its only skill though, it also has excellent hearing, pinpointing the sounds of the mice in the undergrowth.
Geoffroy’s Cat
Geoffroy’s Cat (Leopardus geoffroyi) is a small member of the Ocelot lineage. Smaller than the Pampas Cat, it too lives in the grasslands of South America.
Sand Cat
Little is known about the sand cat. It lives in places across the Sahara and middle east. One of the best places to see the sand cat in the wild is Western Sahara where a week in the desert should produce multiple sightings. Otherwise it is hard to find.
Leopard Cat
The leopard cat is widely spread in Southern Asia, and thus the most likely to be found. The leopard cat is a small cat, and has a vast variety of habitats.
Caracal
One of the most beautiful cats, the Caracal (caracal caracal) is more than just a pretty face. It is supremely adaptable and is known for its extreme jumping capability.
Domestic Cat
Yes this is a site for wild animals but the domestic cat is very closely related to other cats and is sometimes found in the wild. Be sure you can distinguish feral and wildcats.
Wildcat
The Wildcat is one of the most widespread of the cat family. It can be fround from Scotland to South Africa and across into Asia. There are three subspecies, the European, Asian and African, which is the descendant of the domestic cat.
Eurasian Lynx
Despite being widespread across the Eurasian Continent the Eurasian Lynx (Lynx lynx) is rarely seen. While numbers are recovering, it is even rarer rare in Western Europe.
African Golden Cat
The African Golden Cat (Caracal aurata) is a mysterious and captivating species, seldom seen and little understood. Roaming the rainforests of Central and West Africa, its presence is a testament to the rich, yet threatened, tapestry of African wildlife, urging efforts …
Jaguar
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…
Puffin
The puffin and its colorful beak are recognizable all over. There is more to this photogenic bird than just its looks though. Find out more on our fact page
Asiatic Golden Cat
Discover the elusive Asiatic Golden Cat (Catopuma temminckii), a remarkable and solitary feline thriving in the dense forests of Southeast Asia. Known for its stunning golden coat and diverse color morphs, this secretive cat plays a crucial role in its ecosystem.
Black-footed Cat
The smallest of the cats and the most successful hunter, the Black-footed cat (Felis nigripes) is known from its fame in David Attenborough’s BBC TV series.
Bobcat
Get up close with the fascinating bobcat (Lynx Rufus) the southern and smaller cousin of the Canadian Lynx. This is one of the easiest cats to see in the wild, especially if you live in the Western US.
Rusty-Spotted Cat
One of the smallest of the cats the Rusty-spotted Cat is also one of the most active. However, given its habitat in the jungles of Sri Lanka and India, it is rarely seen.
Pallas’ Cat
The Pallas’ Cat is well known from zoo animals in the US Midwest. They like to frolic in the snow. On the other hand, in the wild they tend to avoid places with deep lying snow though they do live in the freezing cold of Tibet and Mongolia.
Lion
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.
Cheetah
There is more to the Cheetah, Acinonyx jubatus, than just its speed. Lithe and athletic, the cheetah is unique among the cats for its hunting style.
Andean Mountain Cat
The Andean Mountain Cat (Leopardus jacobitus), one of the world’s most elusive felines, thrives in the high altitudes of the Andes. Its distinctive silver-grey fur and bushy tail highlight the unique biodiversity and the challenges of conservation in South America’s rug…
Fishing Cat
The Fishing Cat is, as its name implies, an excellent fisher. Living in the wetland areas of Southern Asia, fish is its preferred food source but the cat still eats plenty of small mammals and reptiles as well. Sri Lanka is a great place to see one in the wild.