Big cat

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For the record label, see Big Cat Records.
For people nicknamed "The Big Cat", see The Big Cat.

Big cat distinguishes the large wild cats from much smaller species. One definition of big cat includes only the four species of cat in the genus Panthera: the lion, tiger, leopard, and jaguar. Members of this genus are the only cats able to roar, and this is sometimes considered a distinguishing characteristic of big cats. A more expansive definition also includes the snow leopard, clouded leopard, and cougar. The roaring cats may also be distinguished from the other big cats by referring to them as "great cats". Another distinction is the offspring of the great cats are called cubs while the offspring of the lesser big cats are referred to as kittens.

Three of the four largest cats are members of the genus Panthera; the cougar is the fourth largest cat, exceeding the leopard in size. Some medium-sized cats like the Eurasian lynx may weigh as much as 25 kg (55 lb), but they are not considered big cats.

Despite enormous differences in size, the various species of cat are amazingly similar in both structure and behavior. All cats are carnivores and efficient predators. Their range includes the Americas, Africa, Asia, and Europe; Australia and Antarctica have no indigenous species of cats.

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[edit] Roaring

The ability to roar comes from an elongated and specially adapted larynx and hyoid apparatus.[1]. When air passes through the larynx on the way to the lungs, the cartilage walls of the larynx vibrate, producing sound. The lion's larynx is longest, giving it the most robust roar. Though jaguars are considered great cats, they are not often known to roar and have a less developed larynx. The snow leopard is also said to have a larynx nearly adapted for roaring, but it is far less developed than the jaguar. Cats that cannot roar have vocal chords more suited for purring, while roaring cats cannot purr.

[edit] Threats

The principal threats to big cats are habitat destruction and poaching. In the United States, 19 states have banned ownership of big cats and other dangerous exotic animals as pets, and the Captive Wildlife Safety Act bans the interstate sale and transportation of these animals[2]. Nevertheless, there are still an estimated 15,000 big cats kept captive in America, and only a small percentage of them are in accredited zoos[3]. The remainder are in private homes and nonaccredited roadside zoos.

[edit] Species

Family Felidae

[edit] References

  1. ^ Weissengruber, GE; G Forstenpointner, G Peters, A Kübber-Heiss, and WT Fitch (September 2002). Hyoid apparatus and pharynx in the lion (Panthera leo), jaguar (Panthera onca), tiger (Panthera tigris), cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) and domestic cat (Felis silvestris f. catus). Journal of Anatomy 195–209. Anatomical Society of Great Britain and Ireland. DOI:10.1046/j.1469-7580.2002.00088.x. Retrieved on 2007-05-20.
  2. ^ Pacelle, Wayne. Captive Wildlife Safety Act: A Good Start in Banning Exotics as Pets. The Human Society of the United States. Retrieved on 2007-04-01.
  3. ^ Noyes, Katherine. Big Cat Rescue: Save Exotic Felines. Charity Guide. Retrieved on 2007-04-01.

[edit] External links

Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_cat"
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