The TIGER (Panthera tigris) :There are about eight broad sub-
species of tiger in the world. The Indian tiger are found through
out the country and South Asia. There are about 3750-4750 tigers
in the country, about the half of the world's population. The
Royal Bengal Tigers of the Sunderbans being the most magnificent
The tiger reaches a height of one metre and three metres in
length and weighs 230 KGs. The White Tigers are white in colour
with black or ash coloured stripes. Out of 39 White Tigers 25
are in India.
The ASIATIC LION (Panthera leo): The Asiatic lion is about the
same size as the African one, but the mane is scantier, the coat
fuller and the tassel of hair at the end of the tail is longer.
Earlier they were found abundantly through out the region but now
they are only found in the Gir Sanctuary in Gujrat, which is the
last strong hold of the Asiatic Lion, where about 400 Lion are
found.
The ASIATIC CHEETAH (Acinonyx jubatus): The Cheetah was once a common sight in Middle East and in India. This majestic animal has now vanished from the region (It is said a few still exist in Iran).
The LEOPARD (Panthera pardus): Some times this is also called
Panther. It is slightly smaller than the Tiger and the Lion ,
at 2.15 mts., but is more agile. Leopard are spread through out
India, and is known for it's intelligence.
It is a amazingly powerful cat, and can lift kills twice it's weight
to long distances and to tree tops to save it from being stolen to
other predators.
The CLOUDED LEOPARD (Neofelis nebulosa): It is a beautiful
animal with its greyish or tawny light brown with heavily black
rimmed rounded, and brown longish markings all over and a streaked
and spotted head. It has a long, low, thick limbed creature
with a long thick tail, about 2 Mts. long with half of it is it's
tail. It inhabits the evergreen forests of Sikkim, Assam in
India and also in the forests of Bhutan, Nepal, Burma. It is a
expert tree climber and it's prey includes smaller animals.
The SNOW LEOPARD (Panther unica): Also known as "Ounce", found through out the Himalayas in North India and the neighbouring countries of Nepal & Bhutan. During summer these cats roam at a height of 12,000 to 30,000 feet and in winter they come down a height of as low as 6,000 feet. In size it is little smaller than a Leopard, but has a longer tail, short muzzle, high forehead and vertical chin. It's coat is soft grey paling to pure white underside. Being a rare animal it is a highly prized animal and are being killed by foolish hunters.
The MARBLED CAT (Felis marmorata): It is little larger than a
domestic cat and has the looks of a small Clouded Leopard. Found in
the northern parts of India. Since it is a nocturnal tree
dwelling animal and inhabits dense forests very little is known
about it.
The LEOPARD CAT (Felis bengalensis): It is the same size as the
domestic cat, but with longer legs. It has various colours and
patterns on it's coat. It is found through out the country's forests
from Himalayas in the North to Cape Comarin (Southern most point
of Indian mainland) It hunts on small animals and birds and may
even breed with the domestic cats.
The LYNX (Lynx lynx):It is a large cat, having tufted ears and
long hind legs. It is big animal almost of the size of Clouded
Leopard and even is heavier. It is a thickly coated animal with
padded feet. It is a expert tree climber and good swimmers. This
is found in high altitude areas of Ladakh and upper Indus valley.
It preys upon small animals and birds.
The CARACAL (Felis caracal): This is supposed to be of the same
sub-specie as the lynx distinguished only by it's longer tail
and softer longer coat. It is found in desert and scrub jungles
of Western India. It preys on birds, deer, rodents and small
antelopes. The caracal relies for it's success in hunting on it's
sudden bursts of speed like cheetah. This animal could be easily
tamed. Earlier it was found in many parts of Western, North Western
and Central India and also in the arid regions of neighbouring
countries of Pakistan, Iran etc. but now it is rarely seen and
is approaching extinction.
The JUNGLE CAT (Felis chaus): This is a common wild cat in
Indian jungles. It has long legs and short tail, the Himalyan
ones have a heavier winter coat. It inhabits dry open country,
grasslands, scrub jungles, riverbanks, marshes and even old
deserted houses. It preys on small mammals, birds and poultry.
The GOLDEN CAT (Felis temmicki): They are one the largest of the
lesser cats, about the size of a Clouded Leopard. It is of
golden brown to red, grey or even black in colour and with or no
markings. It is found in Sikkim and Assam states in North Eastern
part of the country.
The FISHING CAT (Felis viverrina): It is short and stout cat and
is about 1 mtr in length. The body is marked with a series of
spots and inside, the webbed fore feet are marked with two dark
stripes. It is found in patches through out India. It is known
to be a ferocious cat, and can kill dogs, calves, sheep and even
children. It preys on any thing it can overpower, it swamps it
feeds on fishes and molluscs.
The PALLA'S CAT (Felis maus): It inhabits the high altitude
areas of Ladakh and Tibet. It is has a thick coat, thicker in the
lower parts to protect it from the snow while lying in the snow.
It has a peculiar ears which is partially foldable. This and it's
low forehead allow it to take advantage of the minimum cover
avialable. It is supposed to be closely related to the Lynx.
The DESERT CAT (Felis lybyea): This is about the size of a
domestic cat. It is found in the arid and semi arid region of
Western and Central India. It is pale yellow in colour with
black spots. It preys on rodents, gerbils and small birds.