The Asian Leopard Cat (Felis Bengalensis). was once heavily traded for its attractively patterned coat. They are solitary, preying on small mammals, and are most common at low altitudes. Leopard cats do not stray far from water.

Serval (felis serval) Domestication of the cat, from the African wild cat stock, began over 9,000 years ago. Servals are tall (24 inches at the shoulder), have a relatively small head topped with large ears. Their tails are shorter than other cats, and their ground color is yellowish buff. Irrespective of their size -species both large and small- show a remarkable similarity in appearance, which is a direct reflection of their lifestyles.

Winding through undergrowth, the Geoffroy Cat (Felis geoffroyi) can rely on its whiskers to give it sensory input about its positioning from the immediate vicinity, while it sniffs the ground cautiously.

Roaring is a means of communication used in larger cats, like the jaguar (Panthera Onca). Unlike their smaller relatives, the Panthera cats are unable to purr. Jaguars prey on reptiles (lizards, turtles,crocodiles) as a rule

A stunning Ocelot (Felis pardalis). Most cats rest during the day, becoming more active towards dusk. Their level of activity increases during mating season, however, and the animals may mate every fifteen minutes or so around the clock while the female is receptive.

Snow Leopard (Panthera Uncia). Leopards are sufficiently large and powerful enough to kill cheetahs. Although they cannot outpace them, they will use guile to ambush them, with youngsters being particularly vulnerable. It is a species which typically occurs at high altitudes.

Tigers (Panthera tigris) have declined dramatically leading to the extinction of some races. India now remains the westerly point of the tiger's range. The so-called white tiger is actually just a paler color of the Bengal race and is not a separate subspecies.

Long tufts of hair on the ears, such as on this Lynx (Lynx lynx), may serve to create a more frightening impression, deterring a potential rival when males meet..

Leopards (felis bengalensis) have a broad, yet short head shape. The eyes are large emphasizing the importance of vision for hunting. Little is known about this shy, forest creature.

Lions (panthera leo)the only species where there is evident sexual dimorphism, with the mane serving to distinguish the male from the female. This is controlled by sex hormones. Lions have no evident coat patterning.

Jungle Cats (felis chaus) have a ground color which varies from sandy yellow to red to shades of gray with no markings on the body, apart from stripes on the legs and rings on the tail. The average life span for a large cat which has reached maturity can be as much as 20 years, and 10 - 15 yrs for the smaller species

Bobcats (Lynx rufus) closely resemble the North American Lynx and varies in color from reddish brown to light gray. By rolling on the ground, or rubbing its face on objects, a cat deposits scents from glands on the sides of its heads which alerts any other cats in the area to its presence.

The marbled cat (Pardofelis marmorata), though small in size,shows a close similarity to the clouded leopard.

Black-footed Cats (felis nigripes) are the smallest of all wild cats (around 3.5 pounds) and are yellowish brown with prominent rows of black or brown spots and black markings on their pads. They are able to purr from birth and develop rapidly. By 8 days eyes are open, by 2 wks walking around, by 5 wks weaned and at 6 wks hunting on their own. Interestingly, even though their development is precocious, they are unlikely to breed before reaching 21 months of age!

Pumas (felis concolor) Still widely distributed from the southern regions of Canada to South America. It is also called mountain lion, cougar and panther, despite the fact that these cats are not related.

Fishing Cats (felis viverrina) Cats are digitigrade which means they walk on their toes, with the rest of their foot bones being incorporated into the elongated and flexible leg.

European wild cat (felis sylvestris) has a relatively short gestation period (8 wks), while it is about 16 wks for a lioness. For domestics and other registered breeds, it is about 63 days.

Did you know that catnip evokes a response similar to that of a female in heat, although both sexes are affected? Wild cats, including lions, jaguars and snow leopards, react similarly when exposed to the plant. However, it appears that the presence of a dominant gene is necessary to enable a cat to detect the odor of catnip!

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