Top 14 Big Cat Species in India - Popular & Biggest Wild Cats Fact

India, the only country in the world to have all the three prime members of the wild big cat family, India hosts almost 15 Big Cat Species. Out of these 15 types of big cats, The Lion, Tiger, and Leopard are the most popular and make India one of the major attractions for wildlife lovers across the globe. Lion, Tiger, and Leopards are the major big cats of India.

This blog article is concentrating to give more specific information about all the ‘top big cats‘ species. Below is the list of amazing big cats that you may spot in Top National Parks of India and other wildlife reservoirs.

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The Tiger or The Royal Bengal Tiger is commonly known across the world usually found throughout India. Unlike Lions, Tiger generally likes the dense forest and kill and hunt alone. The biological name of the Tiger is Panthera Tigris.

Tiger usually adapts themselves to the climatic change easily and it is the most important reason they are found even in the foothills of the Himalayas along with the other part of the country. Himalayan tigers are usually large in size than the tigers found in central and southern India.

Generally, tigers have light yellow to orange coats with strips ranging from light brown to dark in color. The average weight of a male tiger is approx 265 KG where the average weight of female tigers is 140-165 kg.

This striped cat generally has an average lifespan of 20-25 years and during their lifespan, they may travel many 100 kilometers within the forest corridors and can give birth to 2 -3 cubs.

It is also the national animal of India and ranks among the biggest wild cats alive today, another reason this animal being so charismatic megafauna of the world.

Royal Bengal Tiger comes under Endangered status as per the IUCN Redlist. Project Tiger was launched in India in the year 1973 to conserve the tiger population in India.

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With the only country in the world to have Asiatic Lions in their natural habitat, India is the proud host of this Big Cat Species. The biological name of a lion is Panthera Leo. There are only two species of Lions in the existence now, i.e. The African lion and The Asiatic lion.

Forest of GIR is the only remaining habitat of this wonderful creature and it was not possible without the help of local people and forest officials that GIR has now more than 500 Asiatic lions as compared to only 18 Lions in 1893.

Lions generally live in pride ranging from 8 to 30 lions. Mostly, the female member of the pride hunt and satisfy the hunger of cubs and male lions of the pride.

An adult male weighs somewhere around 180 Kg as compare to 130 Kg adult female members of this big cat family.

Lions have been observed to mate around October – November and their gestation period is around 120 days. Once the cubs are born, the responsibility of the male lions is to protest the pride from threats and other male lions.

VIsit GIR forest to see this wonderful animal living in their natural habitat.

The biological name of the Leopard is Panthera Pardus, This big wild cat can be found throughout the country. In total there are 7910 leopards as per the census of 2014 and a total of 12000 speculated leopards, Of which the state of Madhya Pradesh hosts a maximum number of approx 1800 leopards in India. Karnataka and Maharashtra are next in the queue.

Compared to the other member of the big cat species, Leopard has relatively small legs and an adult male can weigh up to 60 Kg and a female can weigh up to 38-40 kg.

The average lifespan of a Leopard is around 12-17 years. Leopard mates throughout the year. The gestation period of the leopard is 85-90 days and a female leopard can give birth to 2-4 cubs together.

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Sitting on the verge of extension Snow Leopard is yet another beautiful creature found in India. Snow Leopard is found in the snow states of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh. Snow leopard prefers rocky terrain and steep to stay which helps them to sneak up on their prey from a height.

The snow leopard is smaller in size as compared to the other big cats and leopards. The standing height of snow leopard is approximately 2 ft and the average weight is between 35-55 kg. 

The biological name of the Snow leopard is Panthera Uncia. 

Where can you see a Snow Leopard in India?

This big cat species can be spotted in the below national parks of India

• Hemis National Park
• Great Himalayan National Park
• Namdapha National Park

With the blotched pattern on their body, Clouded leopard is another beauty of the big cat family in India. The biological name is Neofelis Nebulosa.

Mostly found resting on a tree during the daylight, Clouded Leopard hunts during night time only. The clouded leopard is nocturnal and their low density & highly dense habitat makes it difficult to count clouded leopard in their habitat.

Characteristics wise Clouded Leopard are dark grey or ochreous in color with blotched patterns on their body. Usually small in size but carnivorous like the other big cat species. A male can weigh up to 23 kg and a female can weigh around 16 kg.

Also known as a reed cat or swamp cat, A jungle cat inhabits places with adequate water and dense vegetation. Jungle cat can be found in both higher altitude and plains as well.

They hunt throughout the day and small mammals, rodents and birds are its prey. Their sharp ears help them in pinpointing the prey.

They height nearly 12-14 inches and range from 2 to 16 kilograms. Jungle Cat become sexually mature when they are around a year old, their gestation period is two months and at a time they can give birth to two to three kitten.

The Golden Cat

Not many of us have heard about this Cat, but The Golden Cat is beautiful in its own kind. It is also referred to as ‘Asian Golden Cat‘ or ‘Asiatic Golden Cat’ or ‘Temminck’s Cat’; they have been kept hidden from the Human population, as they are being tagged as near endangered species.

We don’t know much about the cat, but years of study has revealed some of the facts about The Golden Cat. 

Interesting Facts about the golden cat

• They like to live in a dense tropical area.
• Golden Cats climb trees very rarely.
• They are of the size as the domestic cat and lives on birds, rodents, and reptiles.
• You won’t find them in groups, they like to travel alone and just meet the other cats for mating purpose.
• They are being researched as both fierce and tranquil.
• They are of some shade of Golden with striped heads, spotted coats, striped or spotted backs.
• The Golden Cats are primarily Noctural, but still, avoid any hunting activities at night.
• Golden Cats are found in Asian countries like Nepal, Bhutan, India, Vietnam, Malaysia etc.

Leopard Cat is also called as Prionailurus bengalensis, the cat is the size of the Domestic cat, with long legs. Its color varies according to the place. You can find the colour ranges from pale tawny to yellow, red or grey above.

At some places, they help the villagers to keep the rodents off.

Some facts about the Leopard Cat:

• Leopard Cats are most active in Night, Dawn and Dusk.
• They prey mostly on Rats.
• Leopard Cats can weigh around 1.7-7kg.
• They live to close rivers, and also climb trees for any hunting.
• They rest on trees and for hiding use dense thorny undergrowth on the ground

This is a small wild cat, which is found in Southeast Asia. Marbled Cat is also listed as a near endangered species. With round ears and a very long tail, this cat is similar in size to a domestic Cat.

Its color varies from brownish-grey to ochreous brown above and greyish below. 

Some interesting facts about Marbled Cats

• Marbled Cat is like a miniature version of the Clouded Leopard.
• It weighs around 9-18 pounds.
• Marbled Cats are found in tropical forests and mixed deciduous-evergreen forests.
• It depends on rats, birds, bats, and squirrels.
• Marbled Cat has the longest tails in proportion to their body.

Desert Cat is also known as the Sand cat & Felis margarita. It is found in the deserts of North Africa, the Middle East, & Central Asia. They are pale sandy to grey-brown coats. It has a broad head with large eyes & low-set ears.

Some facts about Desert Cat

• They have Short Limbs.
• Desert Cats live foremost in True Deserts.
• Desert Cats eat small rodents, birds, spiders, insects, & reptiles.
• They are not found in the area of Compact soil, as the cats are found burrowing and digging.
• They are wild and cannot be petted.
• Desert Cats are mainly solitary.

The Lynx is found in the shrubs of Northan India. They are medium-sized cats with short tails and usually, they have a bunch of hairs on the tip of their ears.

Lesser known facts about The Lynx Cat

• They are fast runners and great climbers.
• They are solitary, but sometimes can be seen hunting together.
• The Lynx are carnivores and hunt roe deer, musk deer, chamois, etc.
• They can live up to 10 to 15 years.

With long legs, a short face and long tufted ears The Caracal Cat is native to Africa, India, the Middle East, and Central Asia.

They are also called as Desert Lynx but have characteristics totally different from lynx. They are tawny-brown to brick-red, and black.

Facts about The Caracal Cat

• They live on rocky hills or grasslands.
• They are researched to have a lifespan of 12 years.
• The Caracals are highly secretive and difficult to understand
• They are mainly nocturnal and remain hidden in daylight.

The Pallas Cat is also known as Manul, this medium-sized wild cat is found in Central Asia and Eurasia.

Its shade ranges from silvery grey during the winter to a darker, red-toned during warmer months.

Some amazing facts about the Pallas Cat:

• Their pupils contract into a small circle, unlike other cats which contract into vertical slits.
• Pallas Cats are the most expressive big cats species in the world
• They seem to be fat but they are just furry
• Pallas Cats are great hunters and spend most of their time hunting.
• They are not much of a friendly species and most are found in caves.