But what else distinguishes the big cat from the small cat? It is not a biological classification, in fact it does what it says on the tin- it's about size. However, big cats do roar and they don't purr (properly). The term has been used to describe the cats in the genus Panthera and includes the tiger, lion, jaguar and leopard- also known as the 'great cats.' More recent definitions extend this group to include the cheetah, snow leopard and cougar.
The largest big cat is the tiger
Photos of BIG CATS:
Tiger
Lion
Jaguar
Leopard
Cheetah
Snow Leopard
Cougar
Pay attention- here comes the science bit (well I do have an MSc in ecology so what did you expect!)
The Cats in Perspective
The Cat Phylogeny
Reference: Johnson, et al. The late Miocene radiation of modern Felidae: a genetic assessment.
Science 311 (6 January 2006): 73-77.
However a more recent study reveals that the snow leopard (not shown above) and the tiger are sister species, while the lion, leopard, and jaguar are more closely related to each other. The tiger and snow leopard diverged from the ancestral big cats approximately 3.9 Ma. The tiger then evolved into a unique species towards the end of the Pliocene epoch, approximately 3.2 Ma. The ancestor of the lion, leopard, and jaguar split from other big cats from 4.3-3.8 Ma. Between 3.6-2.5 Ma the jaguar diverged from the ancestor of lions and leopards. Lions and leopards split from one another approximately 3.1-1.95 Ma.
The small cats belong to the genus Felis
All cats have similarities and prefer to be solitary hunters unlike dogs. Cats also have retractable claws which is what defines them apart from dogs (now all go and play with your pet's feet and find out...)
The domestic cat has a dual personality remaining a kitten with its human and as soon as that back door is open it becomes the independent hunter, gone without looking back. The dog, on the other hand looks back at its owner and says aren't you coming with me?
But what is interesting is what behaviour of the wild cats, let's take the leopard as this week's animal - do we still see in our domestic felines? Well you'll have to read tomorrow to find out, won't you?!!!! Eh?
The Leopard
The ever so frightening Blog Owner's pets
Cagney
Lacey
Hmmm.... frightening aren't they?
Fascinating stuff! I've also found out that one of my cats is probably a dog. It's not that he invites me out of the cat flap but won't retract his claws. He "pads" at people's laps, and his sister's body, and touches my face for attention, all with claws out. Looking forward to the rest of the week!
ReplyDeleteI believe I read that cheetahs do purr (but perhaps "not properly"?)
ReplyDeleteIt's important for me to know one way or the other. What is your view on this? Thanks!
Ah- you could be right there about cheetahs as Wikipedia suggests they can purr when they inhale unlike the other big cats but can't roar... interesting. Although the cheetah belongs to a unique group of 'big cats' genus Acinonyx and they also have semi-retractable claws, shared only with three other cats and is an adaptation to give them extra grip at high speeds.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comments Scotti!
Debz
You're welcome! I'm very much interested in this as I have a children's picture book coming out in spring 2011 that compares Big Cats with "little kitties" (domestic cats). There will be a section in the back that presents facts and activities. I have a cheetah purring in the book, so I do want to make sure that's possible! LOL
ReplyDeleteWow that sounds exciting- let us know more about the book when its out- maybe we can tell people about it on our list? Who's the publisher?
ReplyDeleteDebz