These animals are beautiful creatures and it is amazing to see them in their natural habitat.

Check out our facts about big cats and also useful links where you can play a role in helping conservation efforts.

 

General Facts

  • Cheetahs, leopards and lions are native to Africa
  • Asiatic cheetahs, Amur leopards, Sunda clouded leopards, clouded leopards, Asiatic lions, snow leopards and tigers are native to Asia
  • Cougars (puma, mountain lion), jaguars (in Spanish – león and tigres) are native to North America, Central America and South America
  • Big cats are the only wild cats that can roar (apart from snow leopards) and cheetahs who purr
  • If you would like to play a role in helping big cats there are lots of volunteer programs abroad

 

Cheetahs

  • Cheetah are the fastest animal on land - they are run at speeds of around 60 miles an hour!!
  • Cheetahs can accelerate faster than most sports cars going from 0 to 60 miles an hour in only 3 seconds!
  • Cheetahs can survive without water for days
  • Cheetahs cannot climb trees
  • Cheetah numbers in the wild have reduced over 50% since the 1970's
  • In 1990 there were over 100,000 cheetahs in the wild but now there are only around 10,000
  • Cheetahs can only run for around 30 seconds before needing a break
  • You can apply to volunteer with cheetahs in Africa

 

Tigers

Tiger Malaysia

  • Tigers' natural habitat has been lost over the past century
  • Tigers can swim
  • Tigers are being poached and their skin, bones and other body parts which is used in traditional medicine in Asia
  • No two tigers have the same stripe patern
  • You can apply to join tiger conservation volunteer programs
  • The Korean Demilitarized Zone is home to many wild animals like the Korean Tiger 

 

Jaguars

  • Jaguars are endangered species with only around 15,000 remianing in the wild
  • 'Jaguar' is a name which originates from a Native American word which means "he who kills with one leap"
  • Jaguars have been found in fossils from over 2 million years ago

 

Lions

Wild lion Africa

  • Since the 1950's lion populations in the wild have decreased by 50%
  • A wild lion usually lives for around 10-16 years
  • Lots of people every year look to volunteer with lion cubs but many sanctuaries are actually involved with the brutal canned hunting industry. Check this article before applying: what to know before volunteering with lions
  • A lion's roar is so loud it can be heard up for up to 5 miles away
  • There are lots of lion volunteer programs in South Africa and other locations worldwide
  • Lions live with other lions in prides

 

Leopards

  • Leopards are the strongest big cat and can carry prey over 2 times its body weight up a tree
  • Sadly leopards are some of the most endangered animals in the world
  • Snow leopards are known to mate around 10-35 times a day
  • Snow leopards cannot roar
  • Snow leopards can travel several miles a day in search of prey
  • There are opportunities to volunteer with leopards in Africa and Asia

 

Related Pages & Popular Destinations to Help