The types of cats, are part of the fascinating, amazing and even feared members of the guild of terrestrial predators. Where some become revered and admired, while others are domesticated, inhabiting all corners of Planet Earth. Find out about them here.
types of cats
The types of cats, also called “felidae”, of the “Felidae” family, correspond to placental mammals. Which means that the young are kept in the uterus, during their development. Being subsequently fed until weaning, by the milk produced by the mammary glands of the feline.
Carnivorous animals, so their diet is based on fresh meat, the hunting method being the most stealthy of all. Locating, in addition, since ancient times, the privileged places in what refers to the food chain.
They are found in all parts of the globe, with the exception of Antarctica, Oceania and next to these, one or another island. With the exception that, to make this assertion, the types of domestic felines that are found throughout the world due to the influence of human beings are being ruled out of the list. Among the almost forty existing species of feline animals, without taking into account the extinct, some are under serious threat of extinction, due to factors, among which the following stand out:
- Illegal hunting for the sale of their skin or other body parts.
- Destruction and reduction of their habitat.
Classification of the types of felines
Today, on the globe, of the types of cats, only two subfamilies are found alive, which are:
true cats
This class of feline types belongs to the "Felinae" subfamily. This is characterized by having as members the species that have both small and medium dimensions. Being limited in being able to roar, although they can perfectly purr. These contemplate a total of 7 lineages, in which 10 genera are distributed, reaching 34 species. Based on a set of genetic kinship, being the following:
- Pardofelis (Borneo cat lineage, 1 species)
- Catopuma (Pardofelis, Borneo cat lineage, 2 species)
- Caracal (caracal lineage, 3 species)
- Leopardus (ocelot lineage, 8 species)
- Lynx (Lynx lineage, 4 species)
- Acinonyx (cheetah and cougar lineage, 1 species)
- Puma (cheetah and cougar lineage, 2 species)
- Otocolobus (Bengal cat lineage, 1 species)
- Prionailurus (Bengal cat lineage, 5 species)
- Felis (domestic cat lineage, 7 species)
Panterines
This class of feline types belongs to the "Pantherinae" subfamily, encompassing felines that have large dimensions. Where they are capable of executing the strongest roars. However, they also come to contain limited species of effecting them.
The class, referred to what are the feline animals Panthers, do not have the particularity of being so varied, because a large part of their species have disappeared from Planet Earth. This contemplates the total of 1 lineage, in which 2 genera are distributed, reaching 7 species. Likewise, based on a set of genetic kinship, in which the following are found:
- Neofelis (Panthera lineage, 2 species)
- Panthera (Panthera lineage, 5 species)
Characteristics of the types of cats
The main feline characteristics, are the following:
- When walking, they only support their fingers, which means that they are digitigrade.
- They are carnivorous animals, feeding on fresh meat.
- Regarding the food chain, they are among the privileged first positions.
- The body of the feline types is completely covered with hair.
- They are placental mammals, with complete development in the uterus.
- The young are fed with the milk produced by the mammary glands of the feline mother, until weaning.
- The cubs stay with their mother until they are about two years old.
- They have a high ability to run, receiving the perfect balance from their tail and use of their great muscles.
- In its teeth it has sharp fangs and a very small snout.
- Its strong, sharp and elongated nails are kept inside the skin sheaths, so they are retractable.
- The types of felines have completely varied sizes, from very small, with only one kilogram of weight. Even very large, with approximately three hundred kilograms.
- They have a tongue provided with horny papillae, which allows them to groom themselves, apart from scraping the meat of their prey.
Other relevant features
Among the other relevant features of the types of cats, have the following:
- They have excellent night vision, thanks to the "tapetum lucidum" that allows them to reflect light on the inside of the eyeball. Being also what gives them that characteristic glow in the dark.
- The eyes of feline types are, compared to those of humans, six times more sensitive to light.
- Their ears, apart from being large, are highly sensitive to sounds, being able to hear even the faintest of all.
- They have in the upper part or roof of their mouth an organ that receives the name of "vomeronasal", which provides them with the facility to taste the air.
- They are unable to capture the taste of sugar, because they do not have the receptor that allows it.
- For feline types, meowing means contact. While the rest of the sounds they emit are received as aggression.
- All come to purr in both phases of breathing.
- Normally the size of its tail becomes a third of the size of the length of the body.
- They are capable of climbing trees, as well as scaling rocks, hills, or anything that stands in their way.
Feline types of the Borneo cat lineage
This lineage is made up of the following species:
Pardofelis marmorata (marbled cat)
It is native to the jungles of Southeast Asia. It is the only species belonging to its genus. Its size is similar to that of the domestic cat. It maintains an arboreal development. The IUCN catalogs it under the line "Near Threatened", of extinction.
Catopuma badia (Borneo cat)
It is endemic and inhabitant of the Island of Borneo. Their behavior is practically nocturnal. The coloration of his hair is reddish-brown. According to the IUCN, it is under the category "Endangered" of extinction.
Catopuma temminckii (Asian golden cat)
It lives mainly in Southeast Asia, Nepal, Tibet, India, Sumatra and South China. It is kept in the jungle and forest areas, with a highly nocturnal behavior. It is a good climber Types of trees and prefers to hunt on dry land. According to the IUCN, it is listed as "Near Threatened".
Types of cats of the caracal lineage
The lineage of the caracal integrates the following types of cats:
Leptailurus serval (serval)
It is characterized by being the only species of its genus. According to the IUCN, it is located in "Least Concern" of extinction. Its size is medium. It prefers to stay in wooded areas, meadows and often in thickets.
caracal caracal (caracal)
He is such a good hunter that he even manages to hunt eagles. His development is highly nocturnal. It inhabits the savannahs and semi-deserts of Africa, West Asia and Northwest India. According to the IUCN, it is listed as "Least Concern" for extinction.
Caracal aurata (African golden cat)
It inhabits the rain forests of Central and West Africa. The IUCN has established the category of "Vulnerable" for extinction. It has a medium size and is associated with domestic species. Its behavior and development is completely variable, covering a diversity of areas.
Types of cats of the ocelot lineage
The types of cats that make up this lineage are the following:
Leopardus pardalis (ocelot)
He is a broad inhabitant of America. Its size is medium and its behavior is nocturnal, between terrestrial and arboreal, classifying itself as territorial. He prefers solitude and is opportunistic. According to the IUCN, it is listed as "Least Concern" for extinction.
Leopardus wiedii (tiger cat)
It is an inhabitant distributed throughout America, of nocturnal development and mainly arboreal. Along with the clouded leopard, it has the virtue of rotating its ankle, which allows it to climb down from the trees with its head down. IUCN records place it as a species "Near Threatened" with extinction.
Leopardus jacobita (Andean cat)
It is native to South America and according to the IUCN registry, it is "Endangered" of extinction, mainly due to indiscriminate hunting to commercialize its skin. Besides they induce death, because of the belief that it provides "bad luck".
Leopardus colocolo (colocolo)
It is a widespread inhabitant of South America and endemic to Chile. It is maintained with a development both night and day, which will depend on the area in which it is located. According to the IUCN, it is in the category of "Near Threatened" with extinction.
Leopardus geoffroyi (South American wildcat)
It is commonly seen throughout South America. Its vulnerability is located in "Least Concern" of extinction, according to the IUCN. It has a size similar to that of the domestic cat. It thrives mostly in areas with tree cover.
Leopardus guigna (huiña)
It is endemic to the Pacific region of the South American Continent. It is under the category of "Vulnerable" of extinction, according to the IUCN. Its development and habit is nocturnal and arboreal.
Leopardus tigrinus (tiger leopard)
Inhabitant of Central and South America. It is commonly called "cunaguaro" or "tigrillo". According to the IUCN, it is in the "Vulnerable" category of extinction. It covers different habitats, totally opposite. It develops through nocturnal behavior.
Types of felines of the Lynx lineage
The types of cats that make up the Lynx lineage, are the following:
Lynx rufus (red lynx)
He is an inhabitant of North America. It is twice the size of the domestic cat, being territorial and solitary. The selection of their prey to feed on depends on the area in which they are found. According to the IUCN, it is under the category of "Least Concern" of extinction.
Lynx canadensis (Canada lynx)
It is widely found in North America, being placed in the line of "Least Concern" of extinction by the IUCN, mainly due to indiscriminate hunting to commercialize its beautiful fur. It is nocturnal and territorial in habit.
Lynx lynx (boreal lynx)
It is listed as a natural predator of Siberian and European forests. Of his lineage, he is the largest. It is characterized by being very skillful when climbing and jumping. According to the IUCN, it is listed as "Least Concern" for extinction.
Lynx pardinus (Iberian lynx)
It is endemic to the Iberian Peninsula, being located in the forests and Mediterranean scrublands. His favorite food is rabbit. Their behavior is apart from solitary, nomadic and territorial. It is a cunning hunter and according to the IUCN, it is under the category, "Endangered" of extinction.
Types of cats from the cheetah and cougar lineage
The types of cats that make up this lineage are the following:
Acinonyx jubatus (cheetah)
It is the only representative of its kind. It inhabits mainly the South of Africa, located as the fastest of the terrestrial ones, achieving up to 115 km/h. Its size is medium, stylized, being a diurnal hunter and polygamous. According to the IUCN, it is in the "Vulnerable" category of extinction.
Puma concolor (cougar)
It is native to America, taking all its biomes as its habitat. It ranks second in size in the American continent and fourth in the world. It is very territorial and despite its large size, it is not classified as one of the big cats, due to its inability to roar. According to the IUCN, it is in "Least Concern" of extinction.
Herpailurus yagouaroundi (jaguarundi)
It is an inhabitant of America, from Mexico, through Central America, to the center of Argentina, always close to watercourses. Its size is medium and it develops during the daytime hours. According to the IUCN, it is located in "Least Concern" of extinction.
Types of felines of the Bengal cat lineage
The types of cats that make up the Bengal cat lineage are the following:
Otocolobus manul (mammal)
It inhabits the steppes of Mongolia, Tibet and Siberia. It is solitary and prefers the dark, locating its greatest development between dawn and dusk, cataloging itself as the best climber. It has a size similar to the domestic one. According to the IUCN, it is in the "Near Threatened" line of extinction.
Prionailurus rubiginosus (rusty cat)
It is the smallest of the wild cats, inhabiting Sri Lanka and India. It normally weighs less than 1,5 kilograms. It develops at night and stays mostly in the trees. According to the IUCN, it is "Near Threatened" with extinction.
Prionailurus bengalensis (Bengal cat)
It is one of the types of cats of Asian distribution, preferring areas with agricultural uses and wooded areas. Its development is nocturnal, it is a good swimmer and they mate throughout their lives. According to the IUCN, it is in "Least Concern" of extinction.
Prionailurus viverrinus (fishing cat)
It is native to Asia. He is a terrestrial and aquatic hunter. It develops in the areas of rivers, swamps, streams and mangroves. Its size is medium and very variable. According to the IUCN, it is in the "Vulnerable" category of extinction.
Prionailurus planiceps (flat-headed cat)
It is an Asian feline, which was listed as extinct in 1980 and rediscovered in 1990. According to the IUCN, it is "Endangered" with extinction.
Types of felines of the domestic cat lineage
In this lineage are the following:
Felis chaus (jungle cat)
It is distributed between Asia and Africa. He is a good swimmer and jumper. It adapts very well to human areas, even inhabiting areas abandoned by them. The IUCN places it in "Least Concern" of extinction.
Felis nigripes (black-footed cat)
He is a resident of South Africa. Its size is small and it remains solitary. He is a night hunter. According to the IUCN, it is "Vulnerable" from extinction.
Felis margarita (sand cat)
It lives in the deserts of the east. It is the smallest of the genus, having a nocturnal habit and solitary behavior. According to the IUCN, it is in "Least Concern" of extinction.
Felis bieti (Chinese desert cat)
It lives in western China. It develops in bushy areas, with a nocturnal behavior. According to the IUCN, it is under the "Vulnerable" category of extinction.
Felis lybica (African wild cat)
It is thought to be the first to be domesticated, approximately 4.000 years ago, by the ancient Egyptians or some other civilization. He is an inhabitant of Africa and the Middle East. It is located by the IUCN, in the line "Least Concern" of extinction.
Felis silvestris (wildcat)
It is an inhabitant of Eurasia and Africa, being able to mate with the Domestic animals "Happy". It remains solitary, in the weeds and thickets, with nocturnal development. The IUCN lists it as a species of "Least Concern" of extinction.
Felis catus (domestic cat)
It is the domestic cat par excellence. It is on the IUCN list of the 100 most harmful and invasive exotic animal species.
Types of felines of the Panthera lineage
The types of cats Members of this lineage are:
Neofelis nebulosa (clouded panther)
It inhabits the tropical and subtropical forests of Burma, India, Sumatra, South China, Borneo and Burma. It is agile, excellent climber and preferably arboreal. According to the IUCN, it is "Vulnerable" from extinction.
Neofelis diardi (Bornean clouded leopard)
It is endemic to Borneo, Batu Islands and Sumatra. Regarding its head, it has the longest canines of the feline types. Its habit is nocturnal. According to the IUCN, it is a "Vulnerable" species of extinction.
Panthera uncia (snow leopard)
It is typical of the mountains of Central Asia and a powerful diurnal predator. Indiscriminate hunting for its skin has led it to be in the "Vulnerable" line of extinction by the IUCN.
Panthera tigris (tiger)
Inhabitant of the Asian continent, located in the category "Endangered" of extinction by the IUCN. It is characterized by being solitary, territorial and a great swimmer. Having powerful ability to hunt in the water.
Panthera pardus (leopard)
It is an inhabitant of Africa, the Middle East and areas of Asia (Sri Lanka and India). They are nocturnal hunters and very clever climbers. It is listed as "Vulnerable" by the IUCN.
Panthera onca (jaguar)
He lives in the South of the United States, Mexico, Central and South America and part of Argentina. It is solitary, territorial and a common swimmer. It is in the "Near Threatened" category of extinction by the IUCN.
Panthera leo (lion)
It is found scattered throughout Africa. It is cataloged as the most sociable of its lineage and is also credited with not having natural predators. Along with the tiger, it is the largest living cat in the world. According to the IUCN, it is in the "Vulnerable" category of extinction.
