Siberian Tiger ( Panthera Tigress Altica) - The male Siberian tiger is the largest and most powerful of the cat family with an average weight between 500-800 pounds and measuring up to 12 feet from nose to tail. Their normal habitat are eastern Russia and northern China. Their diet consists of large prey found in their area such as deer and wild boar. A typical litter is 2-3 cubs which stay with the mother up to 2 years where they learn to perfect their hunting skills. Life span in the wild approx. 10-15 years and up to 25 years in captivity.
Bengal Tiger (Panthera Tigris Tigris) - Bengal tigers are smaller than the Siberian tigers with a weight between 300 to 600 pounds and measuring approx. 10 feet from nose to tail. The Bengal tiger lives in a variety of habitats in India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Myanmar. Their diet consists of primarily wild deer and cattle. Their population is higher than all other species of tiger. White Bengal tigers are extremely rare in the wild and last seen in central India in 1951 where a male (Mohan) was captured by the Maharaja of Rewa.
Leopard (Leopard Pardus) - The leopard is most easily recognized by its rosette patterned coat, but it is often confused with the jaguar. The leopards rosettes are smaller with no internal spots and they are smaller in statute than the jaguar. They also carry a melanistic gene giving rise to the "black panther". Their weight averages between 65-150 pounds and measures up to 8 feet including tail depending upon its subspecies. They are highly adaptable and found in in various habitats from dessert to forest. They range from Africa through the middle east and Asia. Leopards are athletic and strong climbers as well as powerful and competent hunters. Their primary source of food is wildebeest, impala, and gazelle. Average life span is the wild is 15 years and 20 years in captivity.
Cougar (Felis Concolor) - A cat that is known as many names; puma, mountain lion, and panther. There are 29 subspecies of cougar, three of which are endangered including the florida panther. There are reported to be less than 50 florida panther left in the wild. Their size and coloration varies according to their habitat and range which stretches out from north and south america, canada, and the U.S. They are highly adaptable living in mountain forests, grasslands, and swamps. Approx. weight range 60 -200 pounds and measuring 5-8ft long including tail. Their diest consists of deer, sheep, and hare and other similar size species. They are also the only large cat that purrs and does not roar.
Lion (Panthera Leo) - This powerful, muscular built felid is the second largest feline in the world known to many as the "King of the jungle". Their weight ranges from 260-550 pounds with a length of 10 feet from nose to tail. Today they are commonly proptected in reserves in eastern and southern africa, although hunting is still common. The asiatic lion once found throughout india, the middle east, and southern asia are only to be seen in the Gir forest national park in western india. The lion is unlike other cat species, it lives in organized social groups called "prides". It is also the only sexually dimorphic cat with the male having a mane. Their preferred diet consists of gazelle, antelope, and wildebeest. The females do the hunting in groups by ambush. In the wild the average life span is 12-15 years and up to 30 years in captivity. The greatest threat to lions is habitat loss and hunters.
