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Animal Families & Genera

Big Cats

Collection of elevation illustrations of various popular Big Cat species including a Cougar, Tiger, and Lion

Big Cats popularly refers to the class of wild animals in the family Felidae, and more specifically the larger species in the genus Panthera. Initially, they consisted of the Lion, Tiger, Leopard, Snow Leopard, and Jaguar but now include also the Cheetah, Clouded Leopard, Cougar, and Sunda Clouded Leopard.

Most big cats can be found in Africa, America, and Asia. These animals are normally large and muscular except for the Cheetah and also portray different behaviors both in the wild, in captivity, and conservatory parks. Big Cats also commonly sport a spotted skin and a skull or face that is flatted or evenly convex. The Lion, Leopard, Tiger, and Jaguar are the only big cats with the ability to roar.

Group of scaled drawings of various Big Cat species viewed in assorted resting poses

What makes an animal a Panthera?

A Panthera animal is characterized by its specific skull shape that has a flat dorsal profile. All Panthera species also have an incomplete ossified hyoid bone. They have an adapted larynx with larger vocal folds that are covered in a fibro-elastic pad that allows all Panthera species except the snow leopard to roar.

What is the largest Big Cat species?

The largest Big Cat species is the Siberian Tiger which typically weighs a total of 931 pounds and is native to Northeastern China, Korea, Russia, as well as parts of India and the Himalayas. The other large Big Cats species include the Lion, Jaguar, Cougar, and Snow Leopard.

Do all Big Cats purr?

Generally, all Big Cats, which include lions, tigers, leopards, and jaguars, cannot purr, but they can roar. Small cats, including bobcats, ocelots, lynxes, cougars, and house cats can purr, but they cannot roar. Roaring and purring allow these species of cats to vocalize and communicate with each other.

Links

Wikipedia - Big Cat
Wikipedia - Felidae

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Browse through our curated Big Cats Guides for additional categorizations, tips, details, variations, styles, and histories of Big Cats. Guides provide additional insights into the unique properties and shared relationships between elements.

44"-50" | 1.1-1.3 m

—

—

—

54"-78" | 1.4-2 m

—

—

270-420 lb | 120-190 kg

—

10-15 years (wild), 30 (captivity)

—

African Lion

130.000

200.000

190.000

15.00

449000

30”-46” | 76-117 cm

—

—

—

4’7”-6’5” | 1.4-2 m

—

—

265-500 lb | 120-250 kg

—

12-18 years (wild); 18-20 years (captivity)

—

Asiatic Lion

117.000

200.000

250.000

20.00

7400

34”-45” | 86-114 cm

—

—

—

5’3”-6’5” | 160-196 cm

—

—

220-650 lb | 100-295 kg

—

8-10 years (wild); 18-25 years (captivity)

—

Bengal Tiger

114.000

196.000

295.000

25.00

45000

16”-20” | 41-51 cm

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—

—

24”-42” | 61-107 cm

—

—

15-45 lb | 7-20 kg

—

10-12 years (wild); 15-20 years (captivity)

—

Caracal

51.000

107.000

20.000

20.00

81000

28”-35” | 70–90 cm

—

—

—

44”-59” | 112-150 cm

—

—

77-143 lb | 35-65 kg

—

10-12 years

—

Cheetah

90.000

150.000

65.000

10.00

185000

18”-22” | 46-56 cm

—

—

—

27”-43” | 69-109 cm

—

—

25-50 lb | 11-23 kg

—

11-15 years (wild); 17-20 years (captivity)

—

Clouded Leopard

56.000

109.000

23.000

20.00

30000

21”-28” | 53-71 cm

—

—

—

42”-54” | 107-137 cm

—

—

65-200 lb | 30-91 kg

—

10-13 years (wild); Up to 20 years (captivity)

—

Cougar

71.000

137.000

91.000

20.00

150000

27”-31” | 69-79 cm

—

—

—

4’10”-6’ | 147-183 cm

—

—

80-250 lb | 36-113 kg

—

8-15 years (wild); 18-25 years (captivity)

—

Jaguar

79.000

183.000

113.000

25.00

407000

10”-14” | 25-36 cm

—

—

—

22”-30” | 56-76 cm

—

—

6-20 lb | 3-9 kg

—

10-12 years (wild); Up to 20 years (captivity)

—

Jaguarundi

36.000

76.000

9.000

20.00

26000

12”-17” | 31-43 cm

—

—

—

18”-31” | 36-79 cm

—

—

5-9 lb | 2-4 kg

—

12-14 years (wild); Up to 24 years (captivity)

—

Margay

43.000

79.000

4.000

24.00

19000

15”-20” | 38-51 cm

—

—

—

27”-40” | 69-102 cm

—

—

18-40 lb | 8-18 kg

—

12-15 years (wild); Up to 20 years (captivity)

—

Ocelot

51.000

102.000

18.000

20.00

137000

21”-26” | 53-66 cm

—

—

—

23”-36” | 58-91 cm

—

—

15-40 lb | 7-18 kg

—

10-12 years (wild); Up to 20 years (captivity)

—

Serval

66.000

91.000

18.000

20.00

78000

30”-42” | 75-107 cm

—

—

—

5’7”-6’10” | 170-208 cm

—

—

260-700 lb | 118-318 kg

—

10-15 years (wild); 20-25 years (captivity)

—

Siberian Tiger

107.000

208.000

318.000

25.00

49000

22”-26” | 56-66 cm

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—

—

36”-51” | 91-130 cm

—

—

75-120 lb | 34-54 kg

—

8-15 years (wild); 18-22 years (captivity)

—

Snow Leopard

66.000

130.000

54.000

22.00

121000

Jaguarundi (Herpailurus yagouaroundi)

Comparison illustration of the size of a Jaguarundi to a typical person

The Jaguarundi (Herpailurus yagouaroundi) is a small wild cat inhabiting the brushy regions of the southwestern United States and South America. The Jaguarundi is also known as the eyra due to both names being used to represent and differentiate the two color varieties: reddish brown (jaguarundi) and grey (eyra).

Both colors are uniform and without any prominent spots or markings. It resembles that of an otter in appearance as its body is sleek and elongated with short ears and a long tail. Although the Jaguarundi typically lives alone, it is noted to withstand the presence of others of its kind.

Jaguarundis have a shoulder height between 10”-14” (25-36 cm), body length of 22”-30” (56-76 cm), and weight in the range of 6-20 lb (3-9 kg). The tail of a Jaguarundi is 12”-20" (31-51 cm) in length. Jaguarundis have a typical lifespan of 10-12 years in the wild and up to 20 years in captivity.

Series of side elevation illustrations of the Jaguarundi

The Jaguarundi (Herpailurus yagouaroundi) is a small wild cat inhabiting the brushy regions of the southwestern USA and South America. The Jaguarundi is also known as the eyra due to both names being used to represent and differentiate the two colors: reddish brown (jaguarundi) and grey (eyra).

Jaguarundis have a shoulder height between 10”-14” (25-36 cm), body length of 22”-30” (56-76 cm), and weight in the range of 6-20 lb (3-9 kg). The tail of a Jaguarundi is 12”-20" (31-51 cm) in length. Jaguarundis have a typical lifespan of 10-12 years in the wild and up to 20 years in captivity.

Series of side elevation illustrations of the Jaguarundi

Jaguarundi (Herpailurus yagouaroundi)

Height:

10”-14” | 25-36 cm

Width:

Length:

22”-30” | 56-76 cm

Depth:

Withers Height

Weight:

6-20 lb | 3-9 kg

Area:

Tail Length

12”-20" | 31-51 cm

Scientific Name

Herpailurus yagouaroundi

Lifespan

10-12 years (wild); Up to 20 years (captivity)

Drawings include: 
Jaguarundi side elevation (standing), front (sitting), side (lying down)

Links

Wikipedia - Jaguarundi

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Caracal (Caracal caracal)

Scale illustration of an average Caracal with dimensions for height and length compared to a human

The Caracal (Caracal caracal), also known as the Desert lynx, is a moderately sized wild cat found in the deserts and plains of Africa, the Middle East, Central Asia, and India. Like a Lynx, the Caracal has tufted ears but can be differentiated by its uniform reddish brown coat.

The Caracal also has distinctive black markings on its face: two stripes between the forehead and nose, a black outline around the mouth, and sometimes prominent eyebrow-like blotches. The Caracal is solitary and secretive, but has been trained and used for hunting throughout history.

Caracals have a shoulder height between 16”-20” (41-51 cm), body length of 24”-42” (61-107 cm), and weight in the range of 15-45 lb (7-20 kg). The tail of a Caracal is 9”-13” (23-33 cm) in length. Caracals have a typical lifespan of 10-12 years in the wild and around 15-20 years in captivity.

Collection of scaled drawings of Caracal in various poses

The Caracal (Caracal caracal), also known as the Desert lynx, is a moderately sized wild cat found in the deserts and plains of Africa, the Middle East, Central Asia, and India. Like a Lynx, the Caracal has tufted ears but can be differentiated by its uniform reddish brown coat.

Caracals have a shoulder height between 16”-20” (41-51 cm), body length of 24”-42” (61-107 cm), and weight in the range of 15-45 lb (7-20 kg). The tail of a Caracal is 9”-13” (23-33 cm) in length. Caracals have a typical lifespan of 10-12 years in the wild and around 15-20 years in captivity.

Collection of scaled drawings of Caracal in various poses

Caracal (Caracal caracal)

Height:

16”-20” | 41-51 cm

Width:

Length:

24”-42” | 61-107 cm

Depth:

Withers Height

Weight:

15-45 lb | 7-20 kg

Area:

Tail Length

9”-13” | 23-33 cm

Scientific Name

Caracal caracal

Lifespan

10-12 years (wild); 15-20 years (captivity)

Drawings include: 
Caracal side elevation (standing), side (sitting), side (lying down)

Links

Wikipedia - Caracal

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African Lion (Panthera leo leo)

African Lions are large felines with compact and powerful bodies for hunting prey. Characterized by their yellow-gold coats and prominent manes (on males), lions are the world’s most social cats and live in communities called prides. Lions inhabit a range of habitats from open plains, to grasslands, savannas, and forests.

The average Lion has an overall height of 44"-50" (1.1-1.3 m), withers height of 34"-40" (.9-1.0 m), and body length of 54"-78" (1.4-2 m). A typical Lion weighs between 270-420 lb (120-190 kg) and has a lifespan of roughly 10-15 years (wild), 30 (captivity).

Dimensions comparing the height and length of male and female Lions to humans

Lions are large felines with compact and powerful bodies for hunting. Characterized by their yellow-gold coats and prominent manes (on males), lions are the world’s most social cats and live in communities called prides. Lions inhabit a range of habitats from open plains, to savannas, and forests.

The average Lion has an overall height of 44"-50" (1.1-1.3 m), withers height of 34"-40" (.9-1.0 m), and body length of 54"-78" (1.4-2 m). A typical Lion weighs between 270-420 lb (120-190 kg) and has a lifespan of roughly 10-15 years (wild), 30 (captivity).

Dimensions comparing the height and length of male and female Lions to humans

African Lion (Panthera leo leo)

Height:

44"-50" | 1.1-1.3 m

Width:

Length:

54"-78" | 1.4-2 m

Depth:

Withers Height

34"-40" | .9-1.0 m

Weight:

270-420 lb | 120-190 kg

Area:

Male
Length: 4’6”-6’6” | 1.4-2 m
Height (Shoulder): 3’4” | 1 m
Height (Overall): 4’2” | 1.3 m

Female:
Length: 4’6” | 1.4 m
Height (Shoulder): 2’10” | .9 m
Height (Overall): 3’8” | 1.1 m

Tail Length

Scientific Name

Panthera leo

Lifespan

10-15 years (wild), 30 (captivity)

Drawings include:
Male and female Lion side (standing), front, side (lying down)

Links

National Geographic - African Lion
Wikipedia - Lion

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Snow Leopard (Panthera uncia)

Comparison illustration of the size of a Snow Leopard to a typical person

The Snow Leopard (Panthera uncia), also known as an ounce, is a large cat inhabiting the mountains of Central and South Asia. This stocky, short-legged cat is pale grey in color with dark spots and rosettes. Due to living in alpine environments, the Snow Leopard has many features or adaptations to provide warmth and stability.

It has broad paws for walking on snow, a dense undercoat for insulation, a long, bushy tail to cover its face when asleep and to maintain balance, and small ears to lessen heat loss. The Snow Leopard typically rest and reside by ridges in the mountains to ensure a vantage point as it prefers to ambush prey from up above.

Snow Leopards have a shoulder height between 22”-26” (56-66 cm), body length of 36”-51” (91-130 cm), and weight in the range of 75-120 lb (34-54 kg). The tail of a Snow Leopard is 31”-39” (79-99 cm) in length. Snow Leopards have a typical lifespan of 8-15 years in the wild and up to 18-22 years in captivity.

Series of side elevation illustrations of the Snow Leopard

The Snow Leopard (Panthera uncia), also known as an ounce, is a large cat inhabiting the mountains of Central and South Asia. This stocky, short-legged cat is pale grey in color with dark spots and rosettes. Due to living in cold alpine environments, the Snow Leopard has many adaptive features.

Snow Leopards have a shoulder height between 22”-26” (56-66 cm), body length of 36”-51” (91-130 cm), and weight in the range of 75-120 lb (34-54 kg). The tail of a Snow Leopard is 31”-39” (79-99 cm) in length. Snow Leopards have a typical lifespan of 8-15 years in the wild and up to 18-22 years in captivity.

Series of side elevation illustrations of the Snow Leopard

Snow Leopard (Panthera uncia)

Height:

22”-26” | 56-66 cm

Width:

Length:

36”-51” | 91-130 cm

Depth:

Withers Height

Weight:

75-120 lb | 34-54 kg

Area:

Tail Length

31”-39” | 79-99 cm

Scientific Name

Panthera uncia

Lifespan

8-15 years (wild); 18-22 years (captivity)

Drawings include:
 Snow Leopard side elevation (standing), front (sitting), side (lying down)

Links

Wikipedia - Snow Leopard

Details & Downloads

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Jaguar (Panthera onca)

Scale illustration of an average Jaguar with dimensions for height and length compared to a human

The Jaguar (Panthera onca) is the largest species of the New World cat family and the third largest in the world just behind the tiger and lion. Preferring to live in swamps and wooded areas, the largest population of jaguars is resides in the Amazon rainforest.

The Jaguar closely resembles the Leopard due to its fur color being either gold or black and its rosette pattern for camouflage, however the Jaguar is larger in build and has spots inside of its rosettes. The name ‘jaguar’ comes from the Indian ‘yaguar’ meaning, “he who kills with one leap.” Noted as an apex predator, the Jaguar stalks and jumps its prey and is known to be a skillful climber and swimmer.

Jaguars have a shoulder height between 27”-31” (69-79 cm), body length of 4’10”-6’ (147-183 cm), and weight in the range of 80-250 lb (36-113 kg). The tail of a Jaguar is 18”-32” (46-81 cm) in length. Jaguars have a typical lifespan of 8-15 years in the wild and up to 18-25 years in captivity.

Collection of scaled drawings of Jaguar in various poses

The Jaguar (Panthera onca) is the largest species of the New World cat family and the third largest in the world just behind the tiger and lion. Preferring to live in swamps and wooded areas, the largest population of jaguars is resides in the Amazon rainforest.

Jaguars have a shoulder height between 27”-31” (69-79 cm), body length of 4’10”-6’ (147-183 cm), and weight in the range of 80-250 lb (36-113 kg). The tail of a Jaguar is 18”-32” (46-81 cm) in length. Jaguars have a typical lifespan of 8-15 years in the wild and up to 18-25 years in captivity.

Collection of scaled drawings of Jaguar in various poses

Jaguar (Panthera onca)

Height:

27”-31” | 69-79 cm

Width:

Length:

4’10”-6’ | 147-183 cm

Depth:

Withers Height

Weight:

80-250 lb | 36-113 kg

Area:

Tail Length

18”-32” | 46-81 cm

Scientific Name

Panthera onca

Lifespan

8-15 years (wild); 18-25 years (captivity)

Drawings include: 
Jaguar side elevation (standing), front (sitting), side (lying down)

Links

Wikipedia - Jaguar

Details & Downloads

Downloads

2D Downloads

3D Downloads

For 3D Downloads, upgrade to a Dimensions Pro Membership

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