This page contains a list of the common and latin names of all wild cats. Where possible we include links to other sites for further information. The most comprehensive source of information currently available on wild cats is to be found in the IUCN publication: 'Wild Cats, Status Survey and Conservation Action Plan' compiled by Kristin Nowell and Peter Jackson (ISBN 2-8317-0045-0). To order, email the IUCN Publication Services Unit at iucn-psu@wcmc.org.uk. You can research other sources of information at your local library or by performing a search at amazon.com. An excellent source of readily available information is to be found at the webpage: IUCN/Cat Specialist Group
Introduction: The latest news
Things have changed again and there are 38 species of wild cats. Until recently the 36 species of wild cats were divided into five groups (called 'genera'). The five groups were: lynx (cats with bob tails and tufted ears), felis (small cats which can purr but not roar), panthera (big cats which can roar), acinonyx (cheetahs only and neofelis (the clouded leopard). This system has recently been refined into eighteen groups instead of five. The change reflects greater recognition of the variations which exist between species. They have decided to split the African wildcat into three different species. Many thing will continue to change as DNA becomes more of a factor in classification.
The following list of latin and common names is grouped into three subfamilies of wild cats. The divisions are based on evolutionary theory and morphology. The taxonomic status of some wild cats remains controversial and is likely to be debated for years to come.
1. Acinonyinae (the cheetah)
2. Pantherinae (commonly called the 'big' cats)
3. Felinae (commonly called the 'small' cats)
Acinonyxinae
Cheetah Acinonyxinae jubatus
Status: Endangered
Cheetah Conservation Fund
Action for Cheetahs in Kenya
Cheetah Conservation Botswana
Pantherina
Clouded Leopard Neofelis nebulosa
Status: Endangered
Lion Panthera leo
Status: One subspecies endangered
Asiatic Lion Information Center
Lion Research Cente
Jaguar Panthera onca
Status: Endangered
Jaguar Conservation Team/Arizona Dept.of Game & Fish
Jaguars/US Fish & Wildlife Service
Project Survival, Cat Conservation Group
Cat Haven website: jaguars
Leopard Panthera pardus
Status: Several subspecies endangered
Tiger Panthera tigris
Status: Endangered
Bagheera (good info.on tigers/medicinal trade
Hornocker Wildlife Institute
Tiger Information Center
Marbled Cat Pardofelis marmorata
Status: Endangered
Snow Leopard Panthera uncia
Status: Endangered
International Snow Leopard Trust
Snow Leopard Conservancy
Felinae
caracal Caracal caracal
bay cat Catopuma badia
Temmincki's or Asian golden cat Felis temminckii Endangered
Chinese desert cat Felis bieti
jungle cat Felis chaus
sand cat Felis margarita scheffeli One subspecies endangered
black-footed cat Felis nigripes Endangered
European/African/Indian wild cats Felis sylvestris
jaguarundi Herpailurus yaguarondi Several subspecies endangered
ocelot Leopardu pardalis Endangered
tiger cat/tigrina/oncilla Felis tigrinis Endangered
margay Leopardus wiedii Endangered
serval Leptailurus serval One subspecies extinct?
bobcat Felis rufus One subspecies endangered
pampas cat Oncifelis colocolo
Geoffroy's cat Oncifelis geoffroyi
kodkod Oncifelis guigna
Andean mountain cat Oreailurus jacobitus Endangered
Pallas' cat Felis manul
leopard cat Prionailurus bengalensis Some subspecies endangered
(Note: some individuals in the pet trade are hybridizing this 5 - 14 lb wild cat with domestic cats for the luxury pet market. The hybrid offspring (called Bengal or Safari cats) are sometimes misrepresented by breeders as being the result of a cross between domestic cats and leopards (Panthera pardus), a big cat weighing 70 - 120lbs. This is deliberate misinformation to enhance the mystique of the hybrid. The hybridization of wild cats occurs for commercial gain and novelty.)
Canadian lynx Lynx canadensis
Eurasian lynx Lynx lynx
Spanish lynx Lynx pardalis Endangered
bobcat Lynx rufus One subspecies endangered
flatheaded cat Prionailurus planiceps Endangered
rusty-spotted cat Prionailurus rubiginosus
(the smallest species of wild cat with an average weight of 2.2 lbs!)
fishing cat Prionailurus viverrinus
African golden cat Profelis aurata
puma, mountain lion Puma concolor Threatened/some subsp.endangered
(Source: Mammal Species of the World: a Taxonomic and Geographic Reference, Wilson and Reeder, 1993) The status of the cats given above is in accordance with listings of the US Fish and Wildlife Service. For status listings by the Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species please perform a search at the following link: CITES