Other Free Encyclopedias :: Animal Life Resource :: Mammals and Other Warm-Blooded Animals - Vol 3

Cats: Felidae - Physical Characteristics, Behavior And Reproduction, Cats And People, Lion (panthera Leo:): Species Accounts - GEOGRAPHIC RANGE, HABITAT, DIET, CONSERVATION STATUS

LION (Panthera leo:): SPECIES ACCOUNTS
TIGER (Panthera tigris): SPECIES ACCOUNTS
PUMA (Puma concolor): SPECIES ACCOUNTS
SNOW LEOPARD (Uncia uncia): SPECIES ACCOUNTS
BOBCAT (Lynx rufus): SPECIES ACCOUNTS

GEOGRAPHIC RANGE

Cats naturally occur in most areas of the world, except Australia, the polar regions, and some oceanic islands.

HABITAT

Cats inhabit all types of habitats with the exception of tundra and polar ice. Most species occupy more than one type of habitat.

DIET

Large cats prey on ungulates (hoofed animals) such as deer, zebras, and wildebeests, but also eat other meat. Small cats eat rabbits, hares, rodents, snakes, frogs, fish, and birds. Many consume carrion (dead and decaying flesh).

CONSERVATION STATUS

The United States classifies the Florida panther and the eastern puma as Endangered. The World Conservation Union (IUCN) lists the Iberian lynx as Critically Endangered, facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild; four species as Endangered, facing a very high risk of extinction; twelve species as Vulnerable, facing a high risk of extinction; and eight species as Near Threatened, not currently threatened, but could become so.