The World of Big Cats

Kings and Queens of the Wild

Deep in the long grass, a pair of golden eyes is watching. The animal stays as still as a stone, then springs forward in a flash of muscle and fur. This is a big cat — one of the most powerful hunters on Earth.

Big cats live in many parts of the world, from the hot grasslands of Africa to the snowy mountains of Asia. They are strong, fast and clever, and people have admired and feared them for thousands of years.

In this book, we will meet the most amazing big cats, learn how their bodies are built for hunting, and find out why they need our help. Get ready to walk on the wild side.

What Makes a Big Cat?

A big cat is a large member of the cat family. The most famous ones are the lion, the tiger, the leopard, the jaguar and the cheetah. The snow leopard and the puma are big cats too.

All cats, big and small, share the same body plan. They have a strong, bendy body, sharp claws, pointed teeth and excellent senses. Most cats are carnivores, which means they eat meat.

One thing makes the very biggest cats special: many of them can roar. Lions, tigers, leopards and jaguars have a special bone in their throat that lets them make a deep, booming roar. Cheetahs and pet cats cannot roar — instead, they purr.

So whether they roar or purr, all these animals are built to be brilliant hunters.

Born to Hunt

A big cat's body is like a hunting machine, with every part doing an important job.

Its eyes are large and face forward, helping it judge exactly how far away its prey is. A shiny layer at the back of each eye bounces light around, so big cats can see very well in the dark. This is why a cat's eyes seem to glow when a light shines on them at night.

Its paws are soft and padded, so the cat can creep up without making a sound. Most cats can pull their sharp claws back inside their paws to keep them clean and ready, like a knife kept in its case.

Big cats also have powerful legs for pouncing, strong jaws and long, dagger-like teeth for catching their food. Many hunt by stalking — moving slowly and silently until they are close, then exploding forward in a surprise attack.

The Mighty Lion

The lion is sometimes called the king of beasts. Lions live mostly in Africa, on wide grasslands called the savanna.

Lions are special because they live in family groups called prides. A pride may have several females, their cubs, and one or two males. Most other big cats live alone, so this teamwork makes lions unusual.

The female lions, called lionesses, do most of the hunting. They work together to surround animals like zebras and antelopes. Male lions are easy to spot because of their thick mane of hair around the head, which makes them look bigger and protects their neck.

A lion's roar is so loud it can be heard up to eight kilometres away. Lions roar to warn other animals to stay off their land and to call to the rest of the pride.

The Striped Tiger

The tiger is the biggest cat of all. A large male tiger can weigh as much as three grown-up people. Tigers live in the forests and grasslands of Asia.

Every tiger is covered in dark stripes, and no two tigers have exactly the same pattern — just like our fingerprints. These stripes are not just for show. They break up the shape of the tiger's body so it blends into tall grass and shadows, helping it sneak up on its prey.

Unlike most cats, tigers are strong swimmers and often cool off in rivers and pools on hot days. A tiger usually hunts alone, using patience and surprise to catch deer and wild pigs.

Leopards, Jaguars and the Speedy Cheetah

The leopard is a master of hiding. Its coat is covered in dark rings called rosettes. Leopards are strong climbers and often drag their food high up into a tree to keep it safe from other hungry animals.

The jaguar looks a lot like a leopard but is heavier and lives in the rainforests of the Americas. The jaguar has one of the strongest bites of any cat and is happy hunting in or near water.

The cheetah is the racing champion of the animal world. It is the fastest land animal, able to run at around 100 kilometres per hour for short bursts. Its slim body, long legs and bendy spine all help it sprint. But a cheetah can only run that fast for a short time before it needs to rest.

Big Cats in Danger

Sadly, many big cats are in trouble. There are far fewer lions, tigers and cheetahs today than there were a hundred years ago.

The biggest problem is the loss of their wild homes. As people build farms, towns and roads, big cats have fewer places to live and less food to hunt. Some animals are also harmed by poachers, people who hunt them against the law.

The good news is that many people are working hard to help. Scientists, park rangers and conservationists protect wild spaces, look after injured animals, and stop poachers. National parks give big cats safe places to live and raise their cubs.

What We Learned

We have travelled across grasslands, forests and mountains to meet the world's big cats.

We learned that big cats are powerful hunters with sharp claws, keen eyes, silent paws and strong jaws. We met the lion with its mighty roar and family pride, the giant striped tiger, the hidden leopard, the powerful jaguar and the lightning-fast cheetah. And we discovered that many big cats are in danger, but people around the world are working to save them.

The next time you watch a pet cat pounce on a toy, remember — you are watching a tiny cousin of these magnificent wild hunters.

Want to explore more of the animal kingdom? Meet incredible creatures in Amazing Animals of the World, or discover hunters that wake when the sun goes down in Creatures of the Night.