Across the world, wild cats have evolved into many species, each adapted to survive in their habitat and environment. Tigers and lions may get most of the attention, but there are many lesser-known felines that have unusual abilities, such as tree climbing margays or water-loving fishing cats. These are twelve stunning wild cat breeds found across the globe.
1. Snow Leopard
The snow leopard can be found in the mountain ranges of Central and South Asia, including the Himalayas and the Altai Mountains. These beautiful cats have thick, dense fur coats that protect them against the extreme cold and large, wide paws that act as natural snowshoes! They mainly prey on blue sheep, ibex, marmots, and small mammals.
2. Clouded Leopard
Clouded leopards live in the dense forests of Southeast Asia, including Nepal, China, and Indonesia. These strong climbers are famous for their short, strong legs and long tails. They also have the largest canine teeth relative to body size of any wild cat. Their diet consists of birds, primates, deer, and small mammals.
3. Margay
The Margay is a small wild cat that can be found in the rainforests and dense woodlands of Central and South America. Thanks to their extremely flexible ankles, they can climb head-first down trees and can even hang from branches from their hind feet! They eat birds, small mammals, reptiles, and other small tree-dwelling creatures.
4. Caracal
In Africa, the Middle East, and some regions of Asia, the stunning Caracal inhabits arid savannas, forests, and deserts. These cats are well-known for their ability to leap over ten feet into the air thanks to their long, strong back legs. They mainly consume tiny antelope, hares, birds, and rodents.
5. Jaguarundi
In Central and South America, the Jaguarundi can be found in wetlands, woods, and grasslands. It is unique among wild cats because of its long, weasel-like body and tiny legs. It eats amphibians, reptiles, birds, and small mammals.
6. Andean Mountain Cat
The Andean Mountain Cat can be found in the high-altitude Andes Mountains in Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, and Peru. This cat is famous for its thick, silver-gray fur with dark stripes that provide camouflage in rocky terrains. They eat viscachas, which are rodents similar to chinchillas, and other small mammals.
7. Pallas’s Cat
Pallas’s Cat can be found in the cold, arid grasslands and montane steppes of Central Asia. In the bitter cold, this cat’s thick fur and flattened face help it stay warm. Its diet consists of small mammals like pikas and rodents.
8. Fishing Cat
The fishing cat lives in the wetlands, mangroves, and riversides of South and Southeast Asia. Its partially webbed feet and water-resistant coats make it an excellent swimmer. This cat mainly feeds on fish, frogs, crustaceans, and small mammals.
9. Black-Footed Cat
The black-footed cat is found in the southern African deserts and arid savannas. Despite its tiny size, it is one of the most proficient hunters, catching up to 14 prey items in a single night thanks to its incredibly fast metabolism. It preys on insects, rodents, and birds.
10. Geoffroy’s Cat
Geoffroy’s Cat is another adorable small cat breed found in the grasslands, forests, and wetlands of southern South America. It can stand on its hind legs to watch its surroundings, which is rare among wild cats. It hunts birds, rodents, and reptiles.
11. Asiatic Golden Cat
The Asiatic Golden Cat lives in the forests of South and Southeast Asia. Its highly variable coat color, ranging from golden to dark brown, allows for excellent camouflage. It feeds on birds, reptiles, and medium-sized mammals.
12. Serval
The Serval can be found in the grasslands, wetlands, and savannas of Africa. It can hunt quite well because of its long legs and big ears. In order to capture birds, it can also jump up to ten feet into the air. Its main food sources include fish, frogs, birds, and rodents.
Discover more of our trending stories and follow us to keep them appearing in your feed
7 of the Most Dangerous Wild Cats in the World – Agile Predators
8 Cool Wild Cats You Probably Don’t Know – Rarest Feline Wonders
The War on Cows Is Over—And Green Extremists Have Lost
Hurricane-Like Bomb Cyclone Set to Impact These 8 States
This article first appeared here
Stay connected with us for more stories like this! Follow us to get the latest updates or hit the Follow button at the top of this article, and let us know what you think by leaving your feedback below. We’d love to hear from you!
