So You Want To Study Wild Cats?

A jaguar is bigger than a leopard a leopard is bigger than a cheetah a cheetah is bigger than a clouded leopard but a lion and tiger are bigger than them all.

• True

• False

We've stayed in the savanna for a while, now it's time to head over to the rain forest. The biggest big cat and the 3rd biggest big cat call the rain forest home. Is that true?

• True

• False

We have had our fun in Africa now let's head to North America and Europe to see more familiar big cats. So true or false, Florida panthers are born with stripes on their tails.

• True

• False

There used to be 1._________ Lions. These lions lived in Europe. Sadly, they were hunted to extinction for they're manes. Cities came up and took away their territory. Lions padded through the community hoping to be shown mercy but were killed by people in fear for their lives or 2.__________ to far away unknown places where they often died. If you ever go to Europe think for a second, I might be walking where a 3.________ once stood, where one might have had babies or learned to walk stalk and hunt. People are acting more concerned about animals now though as you learned earlier, but it is too late for the 4.________ lions. Educate people about animals you care about and you could 5.____ save a species.

Next lets take a short look at the cloudy rain forests. To do that lets head over to Africa. Look, a clouded leopard. Is a clouded leopard a big cat or little cat?

• Big Cat

• Little Cat

• Neither, it's a pet cat gone wild

• It isn't any of these, recent studies show that it is part dog part cat.

• It isn't really any of them. Mainly it's half and half.

A jaguar can sometimes be black and is call a 1.______ ________. It isn't it's own species though. It was just born with more of a 2.__________ in them that made them black. It is cool to look at, however not cool in the wild. It is harder to hunt during the day because they are black and easier to spot. They are more prized by poachers and easier for farmers to get. Life isn't easy for 3._______ tigers either for the same reasons. Habitat is being lost fast which just makes living harder. Citrus fruit farming has become widely popular in South America and other areas near rain forests. 4._______ cut down trees taking away room for new territory. Jaguars have to travel for miles to find good territory, and often are just lead to farms where they are forced to kill livestock which they get killed for. It's a dark circle for the jaguars. Tigers also have trouble. People are trying to help though because in 5.________ they have the world's first Jaguar Reserve. If you want to make a difference start by buying 6._________ paper.

If you know how a leopard hunts maybe you know what a lion's favorite food is. Yes lion's have a favorite food.

• They mainly hunt wildebeest, but they like african buffalo the most because they are bigger.

• Wildebeest

• Impala or gazelle.

• Each individual has their own favorite.

• Zebra

Did you know that a serval might be the wild factor of the domesticated 1. __________ cat? Sometimes that cat is too wild for some and is banned in Boston, Georgia, and 2._______. Many people have an outdoor encloser for it. They must have good fencing though, because if too many escaped it could mess up the 3.____________. The cat is beautiful and very rewarding to have though. They are different from any other domesticated cat out there. However, they don't come cheap. You'll have to pay thousands of dollars for this cat so don't expect to see it a lot. The reason for this is that they are so hard to breed because they are part domestic part 4. ________. But that wild factor is the same thing that attracts people to them. This cat is best for older kids and adults though as it is wild and can escape if given the chance. Grooming is a breeze though, and it doesn't 5._____ as much as other cats. All in all carefully consider the added responsibilities before getting this beautiful animal.

How does a leopard hunt?

While we are in Africa lets visit some of our forgotten felines. What is a cheetah's top speed, is it the smallest big cat, what is their favorite food, what are it's predators, was there really cheetah races? Include all this and more about cheetahs if you can.