Lions and tigers and jaguars, oh my! Dorothy was lucky to be traveling with the cowardly lion instead of one his more aggressive, daring cousins. Big cats take pride in their kill and, unlike scavengers, they rely almost exclusively on prey that they've caught themselves.

Speaking of prides, you might think that all big cats form cooperative hunting groups the same way that many canines form packs. However, African lions are the only felines to join forces in order to catch prey -- the other cats work as solitary creatures, depending on their own cunning to survive.

All of the aforementioned big cats (plus leopards) are part of the Panthera genus. These formidable felines share the ability to roar, thanks to the flexible cartilage walls of their larynxes, which vibrate when air passes through. Besides stopping animals dead in their tracks, big cats roar to find mates and ward off competitors. Slightly smaller cats -- like the cheetah, cougar, snow leopard and clouded leopard -- have bone instead of cartilage and thus, can only utter a purr. That's the same reason your kitty at home can only growl, instead of releasing a window-shattering roar.

If any of these cats got your tongue (or any other body part), you're in trouble. With daggerlike teeth, retractable claws and enough concentrated power to bring down animals double their size, big cats are big dangers to unsuspecting animals. Acute hearing and keen eyesight (especially at night) helps cats find their next meal. Whether covered in stripes, spots or rosettes, these hunters blend into their surroundings as they stalk, appearing to prey only after it's too late to hide.

Curiosity won't kill these cats -- learning more about felines at HowStuffWorks may even help you understand your pet Fluffy a little better.