Big Cat Family Scientific Name

They vary in size from the domestic cat to the lion.

Big cat family scientific name. This family is characterized by short muzzles and a reflective membrane over their eyes which gives them excellent vision. Some people use the term big cat to refer to all species in the genus Panthera in which case the list of big cats would look like this. Is the Panther a member of the big cat family.

Due to new DNA evidence the cat family tree has changed considerably over the last decade. Domestic and wild cats make up the family Felidae. Genetic research has revealed some very interesting things but the results are not set in stone.

Small and medium cats including housecats are member of Felis. These big cats are among the most beloved and recognizable animals on the planet. By Kelly Servick Nov.

If the domestic cat is a distinct species its scientific name is felis catusIf it is a subspecies its scientific name is felis silvestris catus as felis silvestris is the name of the wildcat. The cougar is known by the scientific name puma concolor or felis concolor Carl Linnaeus proposed the name felis concolor to describe a big cat that has a long tail. Species in this family are found in all areas of the world except for Australia and Antarctica.

They are also agile have excellent balance and possess partially or completely retractable claws -- all characteristics which make them excellent hunters. 41 rows Wild Cat Lists. Many of the cats have new scientific names some new species have been declared and some species have been reclassified as subspecies.

Leopards can be found across most of sub-Saharan Africa in a few parts of far northern Africa across the Middle East and east from the Caspian. The animal has more names in the dictionary than any other animal. Leopard Panthera pardus large cat closely related to the lion tiger and jaguar.