Big cats
Of all the predators found around the world, some of the most elegant and regal are the big cats. You may be able to recognize these species at first sight, but how much do you really know about them? From the speedy cheetah to the powerful tiger, each species has qualities and quirks that makes them stand out from the rest.
Where do big cats originate from?
The cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) is native to Africa and central IranThe cougar (Puma concolor) is native to the Americas. The jaguar (Panthera onca) is native to the Americas.The leopard (Panthera pardus) It occurs in a wide range in sub-Saharan Africa, in some parts of Western and Central Asia, Southern Russia, and on the Indian subcontinent to Southeast and East Asia.The lion (Panthera leo) is native to Africa and India.a jaguar - panthera onca - South and Central Americaa snow leopard - panthera uncia - AsiaThe tiger (Panthera tigris) Occurs in India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Russia, China, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam.
facts:1. Cheetahs are capable of going from zero to 40 miles per hour in only a few strides, and can hit 60 miles per hour in just three seconds2. The cougar has the Guinness World Record for the animal species with the most names. It has over 40 names in the English language alone, including mountain lion, puma, catamount, ghost cat, painter, shadow cat, panther, and mountain screamer.3. Cats are famous for their dislike of water, but the jaguar turns that stereotype on its head. This big cat enjoys water and swims, plays, hunts, and even fishes in rivers and streams. There are historical accounts that jaguars dipped their tails in streams to lure fish!4. Jaguars have the strongest jaws of any of the cat species and can bite down with 2,000 pounds of force. This is enough to pierce turtle shells and easily crunch through bones. Their bite is twice as strong as the lion; in fact, the jaguar is second only to the hyena for strongest bite of all mammals.5. Leopards are opportunistic and will eat most things that come close enough to catch, including wild pigs, snakes, monkeys and even porcupines.6. A lion's roar can be heard as far as five miles away.7. Though the tiger is well camouflaged, stealthy and powerful, only about one in 10 of its attempts to bring down prey are successful. To make sure they get the most out of every kill, a tiger can eat as much as 35-90 pounds of meat in a single sitting.8. Though the snow leopard is a medium-sized cat, weighing in at between 60-120 pounds, it can still take down prey three times heavier than itself.
Hero lions
In June 2005, a twelve-year-old girl was snatched by four men in rural south-west Ethiopia as she made her way home from school. A week after the kidnapping, her captors were attempting to move her, with police in hot pursuit, when three lions chased the men off. The lions remained with the terrified girl until police officers arrived to escort her to safety. She told them that although she had been beaten by her kidnappers, the lions had not touched her. They stood guard until the police found her and then they just left her like a gift and went back into the forest.