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Facts on CatsOnly five species of cats are called big cats. This includes lions, tigers, jaguars, leopards and snow leopards.Tiger is the l...

Facts on Cats

Only five species of cats are called big cats. This includes lions, tigers, jaguars, leopards and snow leopards.

Tiger is the largest and heaviest cat of the species. A large Siberian tiger can weigh over 200 kg.

Leopards are covered with spots. The snow leopards, that dwells in the Himalayas, has a white coat with dark spots. It is easy to mistake a snow leopard for a snow-speckled rock if it is very still. Although their markings help them to hide against their background, it is also responsible for the death of many leopards, every year, as people kill them for their beautiful skins.

The black panther, which is found in some parts of India, is actually a leopard whose yellow spots have vanished from the black background. n The cheetah is the fastest land animal. It can run at about 110 km/hr but only for a short distance and in a straight line.

Lions are the only cats that live in family groups, called prides. Other cats prefer to lead a solitary life.

A lion fights standing on three legs, using its free front paw to claw, scratch or club its adversary. Tigers and leopards generally stand on two legs and fight using both front paws.

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Tigers are strong swimmers and they often wade into water to cool off. They sometimes even catch frogs and fish to snack on.

The voice box of a big cat, unlike other cats, is joined to its skull. This is why it has a deep and loud roar.

Cat8217;s claws are retractable. When relaxed, they are covered by a bony sheath, and are extended when required by special muscles. Their toes also spread out at the same time.

The clouded leopard and the cheetah are distinct from all other cats. The clouded leopard is a large animal but it does not roar like other big cats. The cheetah alone does not have sheath over its claws nor it can roar.

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Cats sleep a great deal. In some hot countries, they may sleep as much as 18 hours a day. Cats however prefer to sleep in a series of short spurts.

All cats mark their territory with urine and secretions from their glands. They discharge a stream of pungent fluid against trees, rocks and other objects.

Cats spend a good deal of their time sharpening their claws8217;. Their claws are probably not sharpened by this act but they are cleaned and the muscles of the feet and limbs are exercised.

All big cats are highly endangered species.