Big cat FAQ: quick answers and common myths

Myths vs facts

• Myth: lions are the king of the jungle.
• Fact: lions live in savanna and open woodland, not rainforest. Lion range
• Myth: black panthers are their own species.
• Fact: they are melanistic leopards or jaguars. Black panthers
• Myth: tigers live in Africa.
• Fact: wild tigers live only in Asia. Tiger range
• Myth: every big cat roars.
• Fact: snow leopards and cheetahs cannot roar. Which cats roar

Frequently asked questions

What animals count as big cats?

Strictly, the five species of the genus Panthera: lion, tiger, leopard, jaguar and snow leopard. In everyday use the cheetah is usually included too, and sometimes the puma and clouded leopards.

What is the biggest big cat?

The tiger, at up to about 325 kg. The lion is second and the jaguar third.

What is the smallest big cat?

Of the six covered here, the cheetah and snow leopard are the lightest, and small female leopards can weigh as little as about 17 kg.

Which big cat is the fastest?

The cheetah. A study of wild cheetahs measured a top speed of 25.9 m/s, about 93 km/h, and the IUCN Cat Specialist Group gives up to about 103 km/h.

Can all big cats roar?

No. Lions, tigers, leopards and jaguars can roar. Snow leopards and cheetahs cannot.

What is a black panther?

A leopard or jaguar with melanism, a genetic variation that makes the fur very dark. It is not a separate species, and the rosettes are still faintly visible.

Are white tigers a separate species?

No. White tigers are a rare colour variant of the tiger. The IUCN Cat Specialist Group notes that the last documented white tiger in the wild was shot in India in 1958.

Do lions live in the jungle?

No. Lions live mainly in savanna, grassland and open woodland. King of the jungle is just a nickname.

Are there tigers in Africa?

No. Wild tigers live only in Asia. Africa's big cats are the lion, leopard and cheetah.

Which big cat lives in the Americas?

The jaguar, from Mexico to northern Argentina. The puma also lives there but is not usually counted as a big cat.

Which big cat is the most endangered?

At species level, the tiger, which is listed as Endangered. Some populations of other species are worse off, such as the Critically Endangered Asiatic cheetah in Iran.

Is the snow leopard a leopard?

No. It is a separate species, Panthera uncia. Genetic studies suggest its closest living relative is the tiger.

Can big cats purr?

Cheetahs purr. Whether the roaring cats truly purr is debated, and they generally do not purr continuously the way domestic cats do.

How long do big cats live?

In the wild most live about 10 to 15 years, with ranges for each species listed on its profile page. Lifespans in zoos are often longer.

Are big cats dangerous to people?

They can be. Attacks on people do happen but are uncommon, and most big cats avoid people. Conflicts are more often about livestock. Follow local guidance in big cat areas and never approach a wild cat.