Detailed Comparison of All 10 Types of Big Cats Around the World

There are seven species of big cats that belong to Felidae family around the world:

1. Lion (Panthera leo): Found in savannas and grasslands of Africa and India.
2. Tiger (Panthera tigris): Found in forests and grasslands of Asia, including India, China, and Southeast Asia.
3. Leopard (Panthera pardus): Found in forests and grasslands of Africa and Asia, including sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East, and India.
4. Jaguar (Panthera onca): Found in forests and grasslands of Central and South America, including Mexico, Costa Rica, and Argentina.
5. Snow leopard (Panthera uncia): Found in mountain ranges of Central Asia, including Afghanistan, Bhutan, China, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, and Tajikistan.
6. Clouded leopard (Neofelis nebulosa): Found in forests of Southeast Asia, including Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam.
7. Sunda clouded leopard (Neofelis diardi) is found in the tropical forests of Southeast Asia, specifically in Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand, and the southern provinces of China.

All the species mentioned belong to the subfamily Pantherinae within the family Felidae., the distinction in genera (Panthera and Neofelis) separates the big cats like lions, tigers, leopards, jaguars, and snow leopards from the clouded leopards. The genus Panthera is often referred to as the “true big cats,” as these species have the ability to roar – the snow leopard (Panthera uncia) is an exception, while the Neofelis species do not.

According to National Geographic cheetahs and lynx are also considered big cats and Carnegie Museum of Natural History and IFAW included cougars as well, so I decided to list them all in this blog post, in order to give you the most detailed comparison.

1. Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus)
2. Cougar (Puma concolor) – also known as a mountain lion, puma, or panther
3. Lynx (Lynx canadensis) – a member of the big cat family, is a solitary animal found across North America, Asia, and Europe. Known for their ear tufts and long fur.

Note: The classification of big cats can vary depending on the source, and some sources may group certain species differently. However, the seven species listed above are generally recognized as the main species of big cats.

Here is the detailed comparison table of the Big Cats according to their appearance, size, weight, speed diet, habitat, distribution, hunting technique, and unique features;

Species	Appearance	Size (in/inch, cm)	Weight (lb/kg)	Speed (mph/km/h)	Diet	Habitat	Distribution	Hunting Techniques	Unique Features
Lion	Golden coat, mane in males	5.5-6.5 ft (165-196 cm), 3.5-4 ft (107-122 cm) tall	260-550 lb (118-249 kg)	50-60 mph (80-97 km/h)	Carnivorous, mainly antelopes and zebras	Grasslands, savannas	Africa, India	Ambush, stalking	Social animal, loud roar
Tiger	Orange and black stripes	6-9 ft (183-274 cm), 2.5-3 ft (76-91 cm) tall	260-670 lb (118-304 kg)	40-50 mph (64-80 km/h)	Carnivorous, mainly deer and wild boar	Forests, grasslands	Asia	Ambush, stalking	Striped coat, excellent swimmer
Leopard	Golden coat with black spots	4.5-6 ft (137-183 cm), 2-2.5 ft (61-76 cm) tall	70-150 lb (32-68 kg)	50-60 mph (80-97 km/h)	Carnivorous, mainly antelopes and gazelles	Forests, grasslands	Africa, Asia	Ambush, stalking, climbing	Agile climber, nocturnal
Snow Leopard	Smoky-gray coat with black spots	4-5.5 ft (122-168 cm), 2-2.5 ft (61-76 cm) tall	60-120 lb (27-54 kg)	40-50 mph (64-80 km/h)	Carnivorous, mainly mountain goats and sheep	Mountainous regions	Central Asia	Ambush, stalking	Thick fur, adapted to high altitudes
Clouded Leopard	Dark gray coat with cloud-like markings	3-4 ft (91-122 cm), 1.5-2 ft (46-61 cm) tall	30-50 lb (14-23 kg)	40-50 mph (64-80 km/h)	Carnivorous, mainly birds and small mammals	Forests	Southeast Asia	Ambush, stalking	Elongated body, excellent climber
Sunda Clouded Leopard	Dark gray coat with cloud-like markings	3-4 ft (91-122 cm), 1.5-2 ft (46-61 cm) tall	30-50 lb (14-23 kg)	40-50 mph (64-80 km/h)	Carnivorous, mainly birds and small mammals	Forests	Southeast Asia	Ambush, stalking	Similar to clouded leopard, smaller in size
Jaguar	Yellow coat with black spots	5-6 ft (152-183 cm), 2-2.5 ft (61-76 cm) tall	125-250 lb (57-113 kg)	50-60 mph (80-97 km/h)	Carnivorous, mainly peccaries and capybaras	Forests, grasslands	Central and South America	Ambush, stalking	Powerful build, strong jaws
Cougar	Tawny or gray coat	5-6 ft (152-183 cm), 2-2.5 ft (61-76 cm) tall	80-130 lb (36-59 kg)	45-50 mph (72-80 km/h)	Carnivorous, mainly deer and rodents	Forests, grasslands	Americas	Ambush, stalking	Excellent jumper, adaptable
Lynx	Gray or brown coat with long legs	3-4 ft (91-122 cm), 1.5-2 ft (46-61 cm) tall	20-40 lb (9-18 kg)	30-40 mph (48-64 km/h)	Carnivorous, mainly small mammals and birds	Forests, tundras	Northern hemisphere	Ambush, stalking	Long legs, tufted ears
Cheetah	Yellow coat with black spots	4-5 ft (122-152 cm), 2-2.5 ft (61-76 cm) tall	80-140 lb (36-64 kg)	60-70 mph (97-113 km/h)	Carnivorous, mainly antelopes and gazelles	Grasslands, savannas	Africa, Iran	Speed hunting, daytime	Fastest land animal, non-retractable claws

Please note that the sizes and weights listed are average values and can vary depending on the subspecies and individual animal. Additionally, the diets and habitats listed are general and may not be exhaustive.

Communication Comparison of Big Cats

Species	Vocalizations	Scent Marking	Body Language
Lion	Roars, growls, snarls, grunts, and hums	Urine marking, feces marking, and rubbing faces on objects	Ear and tail positions, neck and back posture, and facial expressions
Tiger	Roars, growls, snarls, hisses, and chuffs	Urine marking, feces marking, and scratching trees	Ear and tail positions, neck and back posture, and facial expressions
Leopard	Growls, snarls, hisses, and spits, as well as a unique “sawing” sound	Urine marking, feces marking, and scratching trees	Ear and tail positions, neck and back posture, and facial expressions
Snow Leopard	Low-pitched barks, growls, and hisses, as well as a unique “chuffing” sound	Urine marking, feces marking, and scratching rocks	Ear and tail positions, neck and back posture, and facial expressions
Clouded Leopard	Growls, snarls, hisses, and spits, as well as a unique “grunting” sound	Urine marking, feces marking, and scratching trees	Ear and tail positions, neck and back posture, and facial expressions
Sunda Clouded Leopard	Similar to clouded leopard, with high-pitched calls and grunts	Urine marking, feces marking, and scratching trees	Ear and tail positions, neck and back posture, and facial expressions
Jaguar	Roars, growls, snarls, and grunts, as well as a unique “chuffing” sound	Urine marking, feces marking, and scratching trees	Ear and tail positions, neck and back posture, and facial expressions
Cougar	Hisses, growls, snarls, and spits, as well as a unique “screaming” sound	Urine marking, feces marking, and scratching trees	Ear and tail positions, neck and back posture, and facial expressions
Lynx	Hisses, growls, snarls, and spits, as well as a unique “yowling” sound	Urine marking, feces marking, and scratching trees	Ear and tail positions, neck and back posture, and facial expressions
Cheetah	Chirps, chuffs, and purrs, as well as a unique “yip-yip-yip” sound	Urine marking, feces marking, and rubbing faces on objects	Ear and tail positions, neck and back posture, and facial expressions

Note:

• Vocalizations: The types of sounds made by each species, including roars, growls, snarls, hisses, and other unique sounds.
• Scent Marking: The ways in which each species marks its territory with scent, including urine marking, feces marking, and scratching trees or rocks.
• Body Language: The non-vocal cues used by each species to communicate, including ear and tail positions, neck and back posture, and facial expressions.

This table highlights the diversity of communication methods used by each species, as well as some of the similarities and differences between them.

The Roaring Ability Comparison of Big Cats

Species	Loudness (dB)	Frequency (Hz)	Can Roar?
Lion	114-130	100-150	Yes
Tiger	100-120	80-120	Yes
Leopard	80-100	60-100	Yes, but soft roars
Snow Leopard	70-90	50-90	No
Clouded Leopard	60-80	40-80	No
Sunda Clouded Leopard	60-80	40-80	No
Jaguar	100-120	80-120	Yes
Cougar	80-100	60-100	No
Lynx	60-80	40-80	No
Cheetah	N/A	N/A	No

Note:

• Loudness is measured in decibels (dB) and represents the maximum sound pressure level of the roar.
• Frequency is measured in hertz (Hz) and represents the range of frequencies present in the roar.
• Can Roar? indicates whether the species is capable of producing a loud, vocalization typically associated with roaring.

Social Behavior Comparison of Big Cats

Species	Social Structure	Group Size	Territorial Behavior
Lion	Pride	3-30	Strongly territorial, prides are typically made up of related females, their cubs, and one or more males.
Tiger	Solitary	1	Large territories, which they mark with scent and scratch marks on trees.
Leopard	Solitary	1	Large territories, which they mark with scent and scratch marks on trees.
Snow Leopard	Solitary	1	Large territories, which they mark with scent and scratch marks on rocks and trees.
Clouded Leopard	Solitary	1	Large territories, which they mark with scent and scratch marks on trees.
Sunda Clouded Leopard	Solitary	1	Large territories, which they mark with scent and scratch marks on trees.
Jaguar	Solitary	1	Large territories, which they mark with scent and scratch marks on trees and rocks.
Cougar	Solitary	1	Large territories, which they mark with scent and scratch marks on trees and rocks.
Lynx	Solitary	1	Large territories, which they mark with scent and scratch marks on trees and rocks.
Cheetah	Solitary/Cooking Coalitions	1-5	Large territories, which they mark with scent and scratch marks on trees and rocks. Coalitions of males often form, but females are solitary.

Note:

• “Solitary” means the species typically lives and hunts alone, only coming together for mating.
• “Pride” refers to a social group of lions, which is typically made up of related females, their cubs, and one or more males.
• “Cooking Coalitions” refers to the unique social structure of cheetahs, where males will often form small groups to increase their chances of finding a mate.
• “Territorial Behavior” refers to the way each species marks and defends its territory from other members of the same species.

Activity Pattern Comparison of Big Cats

Species	Activity Pattern
Lion	Diurnal and Crepuscular
Tiger	Nocturnal and Crepuscular
Leopard	Nocturnal and Crepuscular
Snow Leopard	Diurnal and Crepuscular
Clouded Leopard	Nocturnal and Crepuscular
Sunda Clouded Leopard	Nocturnal and Crepuscular
Jaguar	Diurnal and Crepuscular
Cougar (Mountain Lion)	Crepuscular and Nocturnal
Lynx	Nocturnal and Crepuscular
Cheetah	Diurnal

Note:

• Diurnal: Active during the day
• Nocturnal: Active at night
• Crepuscular: Active during dawn and dusk (twilight hours)

Big Cats Prey Selection Comparison

Species	Preferred Prey	Specialization
Lion	Large ungulates (zebra, wildebeest, buffalo)	Cooperative hunting, targeting vulnerable individuals (young, old, weak)
Tiger	Large ungulates (deer, wild boar, gaur)	Ambush predation, targeting solitary individuals
Leopard	Medium-sized antelopes (impala, duiker, bushbuck)	Stealthy, nocturnal hunting, targeting solitary individuals
Snow Leopard	Mountain ungulates (ibex, blue sheep, marmot)	Adapted to high-altitude hunting, targeting species adapted to thin air
Clouded Leopard	Medium-sized ungulates (deer, wild boar)	Arboreal hunting, targeting species that frequent forest canopies
Sunda Clouded Leopard	Small to medium-sized ungulates (mouse deer, chevrotain)	Forest specialist, targeting species in dense undergrowth
Jaguar	Large reptiles (caimans, anacondas), peccaries	Strong swimmer, targeting species in aquatic environments
Cougar	Medium-sized ungulates (deer, elk)	Opportunistic hunter, targeting species in a variety of habitats
Lynx	Small mammals (hares, rodents, birds)	Specialized in hunting small prey, with a focus on hearing and agility
Cheetah	Small to medium-sized antelopes (thomson’s gazelle, impala)	Speed-based hunting, targeting species in open habitats

Some notes on the table:

• “Large ungulates” refers to species like buffalo, elk, and deer, which are typically larger than 100 kg (220 lbs).
• “Medium-sized antelopes” refers to species like impala, duiker, and bushbuck, which are typically between 10-100 kg (22-220 lbs).
• “Small mammals” refers to species like hares, rodents, and birds, which are typically smaller than 10 kg (22 lbs).
• The “Specialization” column highlights unique adaptations or hunting strategies employed by each species.

Keep in mind that these are general preferences and specializations, and individual animals may exhibit variations depending on their environment, prey availability, and other factors.

Big Cats Comparison of the Average Lifespan in the Wild and in Captivity

Species	Average Lifespan in the Wild	Average Lifespan in Captivity
Lion	12-16 years	18-22 years
Tiger	15-20 years	20-25 years
Leopard	12-15 years	20-23 years
Snow Leopard	10-15 years	15-20 years
Clouded Leopard	10-14 years	15-20 years
Sunda Clouded Leopard	10-12 years	15-18 years
Jaguar	12-15 years	20-24 years
Cougar (Mountain Lion)	8-12 years	18-22 years
Lynx	10-12 years	15-20 years
Cheetah	10-12 years	15-20 years

Note: The lifespans listed are approximate and can vary depending on various factors such as habitat, diet, and access to healthcare.

It’s worth noting that the lifespan of big cats in the wild can be affected by various threats such as habitat loss, human-wildlife conflict, poaching, and climate change. In contrast, big cats in captivity often receive regular veterinary care, a nutritious diet, and a safe living environment, which can contribute to their longer lifespan.

Big Cats Reproductive Behavior Comparison

Species	Mating Behavior	Gestation Period (days)	Litter Size (average)
Lion	Polygynous, males form prides with multiple females	110	2-6
Tiger	Solitary, males have large territories that overlap with multiple females	105	2-4
Leopard	Solitary, males have large territories that overlap with multiple females	90-100	2-4
Snow Leopard	Solitary, males have large territories that overlap with multiple females	90-100	2-4
Clouded Leopard	Solitary, males have large territories that overlap with multiple females	85-95	2-5
Sunda Clouded Leopard	Solitary, males have large territories that overlap with multiple females	85-95	2-5
Jaguar	Solitary, males have large territories that overlap with multiple females	93	1-4
Cougar	Solitary, males have large territories that overlap with multiple females	90	2-4
Lynx	Solitary, males have large territories that overlap with multiple females	60-70	2-4
Cheetah	Polyandrous, females mate with multiple males, males form coalitions	90-95	2-8

Note:

• Mating behavior: Polygynous means one male mates with multiple females, polyandrous means one female mates with multiple males, and solitary means males and females only come together for mating.
• Gestation period: The average number of days from mating to birth.
• Litter size: The average number of offspring born per litter.

Territory and Range Comparison of Big Cats

Species	Average Territory Size (km²)	Range Marking Methods	Defense Mechanisms
Lion	100-400	Roaring, scent marking, urine marking	Dominant males defend territory against other males
Tiger	10-100	Scent marking, urine marking, scratch marks	Territorial males defend against other males and tigers
Leopard	10-50	Scent marking, urine marking, claw marks	Solitary animals, but females may overlap territories
Snow Leopard	100-1,000	Scent marking, urine marking, scrape marks	Territorial males defend against other males and snow leopards
Clouded Leopard	20-50	Scent marking, urine marking, claw marks	Solitary animals, but males may overlap territories
Sunda Clouded Leopard	10-20	Scent marking, urine marking, claw marks	Solitary animals, but males may overlap territories
Jaguar	20-100	Scent marking, urine marking, scrape marks	Territorial males defend against other males and jaguars
Cougar (Mountain Lion)	50-1,000	Scent marking, urine marking, scrape marks	Territorial males defend against other males and cougars
Lynx	10-50	Scent marking, urine marking, scrape marks	Solitary animals, but males may overlap territories
Cheetah	10-30	Scent marking, urine marking, scrape marks	Males may form coalitions, but territories are not strongly defended

Notes:

• The average territory size ranges are approximate and can vary depending on various factors such as prey availability, habitat quality, and human impact.
• Range marking methods include vocalizations (roaring, growling, etc.), scent marking (rubbing, spraying, etc.), and visual signs (scratch marks, scrape marks, etc.).
• Defense mechanisms include agonistic behaviors (fighting, chasing, etc.), territorial patrolling, and scent marking to deter intruders.

It’s worth noting that these values are general estimates and can vary depending on the specific subspecies, habitat, and other factors. Additionally, while these species have distinct territories, they may not always be strictly defended, and some species may exhibit more flexible or overlapping territories.

Adaptations Comparison of Big Cats

Species	Adaptations	Environment
Lion	– Golden coat for camouflage in savannas and grasslands – Social behavior for cooperative hunting – Powerful jaws and teeth for taking down large prey	Savannas and grasslands of Africa and India
Tiger	– Orange and black stripes for camouflage in forests and grasslands – Large size and strength for taking down large prey – Excellent swimming abilities for hunting in rivers and streams	Forests and grasslands of Asia
Leopard	– Spotted coat for camouflage in trees and bushes – Agile and nimble for climbing and stalking prey – Solitary and nocturnal behavior for hunting in dense vegetation	Forests and grasslands of Africa and Asia
Snow Leopard	– Thick, smoky-gray coat for camouflage in mountainous terrain – Large paws for navigating snow and rocky terrain – Solitary and nocturnal behavior for hunting in mountainous regions	Mountain ranges of Central Asia
Clouded Leopard	– Cloud-like markings for camouflage in forests and trees – Agile and nimble for climbing and stalking prey – Large canine teeth for taking down small and medium-sized prey	Forests of Southeast Asia and China
Sunda Clouded Leopard	– Darker coat coloration for camouflage in dense forests – Larger size compared to clouded leopard for taking down larger prey	Forests of Southeast Asia
Jaguar	– Yellow and black spots for camouflage in forests and grasslands – Powerful jaws and teeth for taking down large prey – Excellent swimming abilities for hunting in rivers and streams	Forests and grasslands of Central and South America
Cougar (Mountain Lion)	– Tawny or grayish coat for camouflage in deserts and mountains – Agile and nimble for stalking and ambushing prey – Solitary and nocturnal behavior for hunting in rugged terrain	Deserts and mountains of North and South America
Lynx	– Grayish-brown coat with black tips for camouflage in boreal forests – Large paws for navigating snow and rocky terrain – Solitary and nocturnal behavior for hunting in dense forests	Boreal forests of North America, Europe, and Asia
Cheetah	– Yellowish-brown coat with black spots for camouflage in grasslands – Exceptional speed (up to 70 mph) for chasing prey – Diurnal behavior for hunting during the day	Grasslands and savannas of Africa and Iran

Some key takeaways from this table:

• Many big cat species have adaptations for camouflage, such as coat colors and patterns that blend in with their surroundings.
• Large size and strength are common adaptations for taking down large prey, while agility and nimbleness are important for stalking and ambushing prey.
• Solitary and nocturnal behavior are common adaptations for hunting in dense vegetation or rugged terrain.
• Specialized physical features, such as large paws or powerful jaws, are often adaptations for specific environments or prey types.
• Behavioral adaptations, such as diurnal or nocturnal behavior, are often linked to the species’ environment and prey availability.

Physical Strength Comparison of Big Cats

Species	Bite Force (psi)	Climbing Ability	Swimming Ability
Lion	650-850	Fair	Good
Tiger	1,000-1,200	Excellent	Excellent
Leopard	300-400	Excellent	Good
Snow Leopard	300-400	Excellent	Good
Clouded Leopard	200-300	Excellent	Good
Sunda Clouded Leopard	200-300	Excellent	Good
Jaguar	2,000-3,000	Good	Excellent
Cougar	400-600	Good	Good
Lynx	200-300	Good	Fair
Cheetah	400-600	Fair	Fair

Note:

• Bite force is measured in pounds per square inch (psi).
• Climbing ability is rated as Excellent, Good, or Fair, based on the species’ agility and ability to climb trees.
• Swimming ability is rated as Excellent, Good, or Fair, based on the species’ ability to swim and navigate water.

Here are some observations from the table:

• The jaguar has the strongest bite force among all the species, followed closely by the lion.
• The clouded leopard, snow leopard, and leopard are all excellent climbers, while the lion and cougar are good climbers.
• The tiger, jaguar, and leopard are all excellent swimmers, while the lion and cougar are good swimmers.

Big Cats Population Estimates Comparison

Species	Current Population Estimate	Trend
Lion (Panthera leo)	20,000 – 30,000	Decreasing
Tiger (Panthera tigris)	3,900 – 4,500	Decreasing
Leopard (Panthera pardus)	700,000 – 1,000,000	Stable
Snow Leopard (Panthera uncia)	4,500 – 7,500	Decreasing
Clouded Leopard (Neofelis nebulosa)	10,000 – 20,000	Decreasing
Sunda Clouded Leopard (Neofelis diardi)	3,000 – 5,000	Decreasing
Jaguar (Panthera onca)	64,000 – 100,000	Stable
Cougar (Puma concolor)	50,000 – 100,000	Stable
Lynx (Lynx canadensis)	10,000 – 20,000	Stable
Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus)	7,000 – 10,000	Decreasing

Note:

• Population estimates vary depending on the source and methodology used. The estimates provided are approximate and based on recent data from reputable organizations such as the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS).
• Trends are based on long-term population dynamics and may not reflect short-term fluctuations.

Big Cats Conservation Status Comparison

Species	IUCN Red List Status	Conservation Efforts/Protections
Lion (Panthera leo)	Vulnerable	Protected areas in Africa and India, human-wildlife conflict mitigation, Lion Conservation Fund, Lion Guardians program
Tiger (Panthera tigris)	Endangered	Protected areas in Asia, Global Tiger Forum, Tiger Range Countries initiative, anti-poaching efforts
Leopard (Panthera pardus)	Vulnerable	Protected areas in Africa and Asia, human-wildlife conflict mitigation, Leopard Conservation Program
Snow Leopard (Panthera uncia)	Vulnerable	Protected areas in Central Asia, Snow Leopard Trust, snow leopard conservation programs in range countries
Clouded Leopard (Neofelis nebulosa)	Vulnerable	Protected areas in Southeast Asia, Clouded Leopard Conservation Program, research and monitoring initiatives
Sunda Clouded Leopard (Neofelis diardi)	Vulnerable	Protected areas in Southeast Asia, Sunda Clouded Leopard Conservation Program, research and monitoring initiatives
Jaguar (Panthera onca)	Near Threatened	Protected areas in Central and South America, Jaguar Conservation Program, anti-poaching efforts
Cougar (Puma concolor)	Least Concern	Protected areas in the Americas, human-wildlife conflict mitigation, research and monitoring initiatives
Lynx (Lynx canadensis)	Least Concern	Protected areas in North America, research and monitoring initiatives, human-wildlife conflict mitigation
Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus)	Vulnerable	Protected areas in Africa and Iran, Cheetah Conservation Program, human-wildlife conflict mitigation, anti-poaching efforts

IUCN Red List Status: Vulnerable (VU), Endangered (EN), Near Threatened (NT), Least Concern (LC)

Big Cats Full Scientific Classification Comparison

Species	Kingdom	Phylum	Class	Order	Family	Subfamily	Genus	Species	Subspecies
Lion	Animalia	Chordata	Mammalia	Carnivora	Felidae	Pantherinae	Panthera	leo	6-8
Tiger	Animalia	Chordata	Mammalia	Carnivora	Felidae	Pantherinae	Panthera	tigris	6-9
Leopard	Animalia	Chordata	Mammalia	Carnivora	Felidae	Pantherinae	Panthera	pardus	9-12
Snow Leopard	Animalia	Chordata	Mammalia	Carnivora	Felidae	Pantherinae	Panthera	uncia	2-3
Clouded Leopard	Animalia	Chordata	Mammalia	Carnivora	Felidae	Pantherinae	Neofelis	nebulosa	2-3
Sunda Clouded Leopard	Animalia	Chordata	Mammalia	Carnivora	Felidae	Pantherinae	Neofelis	diardi	3-4
Jaguar	Animalia	Chordata	Mammalia	Carnivora	Felidae	Pantherinae	Panthera	onca	3-4
Cougar	Animalia	Chordata	Mammalia	Carnivora	Felidae	Felinae	Puma	concolor	6-8
Lynx	Animalia	Chordata	Mammalia	Carnivora	Felidae	Felinae	Lynx	canadensis	4-6
Cheetah	Animalia	Chordata	Mammalia	Carnivora	Felidae	Felinae\Acinonychinae	Acinonyx	jubatus	4-5

Note:

• The classification is based on the most widely accepted taxonomy.
• The number of subspecies is approximate and may vary depending on the source.
• The subfamily Felinae is sometimes merged with Pantherinae, but I’ve kept them separate to maintain consistency with some sources.
• The genus and species names are in binomial nomenclature format.
• A problem with cheetah subfamily classification is that its placement is still debated among taxonomists, some say that it belongs to the subfamily Felinae, others that belongs to its own subfamily Acinonychinae.