Big Cats

Tigers are the only big cats with stripes. But no two tigers have the same pattern of stripes. Learn more about these beautiful cats, including where they live, how they hunt, and why they can be difficult to raise in captivity.

A jaguar watches silently from a rain forest tree as prey draws near below. When the jaguar leaps, it's too late for the prey to escape. The jaguar has its lunch. Learn more about these stealthy cats, including where they live, what they hunt, and how they live from day to day.

Mountain lions once prowled all across North and South America, from Canada to Chile. But as people crowded into the big cats' habitat, mountain lions were forced into smaller areas. Learn more about these big cats, including where they live, what they eat, and how they continue to survive while losing more and more of their habitat to humans.

Cheetahs are built for speed. Their slim, long bodies can reach speeds of around 60 miles (95 kilometers) an hour. That's as fast as a car streaking by on the highway! Learn more about these speedy cats, including where they live, how they hunt, and how they live from day to day.