Carnivores

What's the difference between a purring feline on your lap and the most dangerous cat in the world? Whether large or small, the skilled hunters on this list capable of taking down prey — and sometimes they come into contact with humans, resulting in fatal or serious injuries.

By Zach Taras

The liger is the offspring of a male lion (Panthera leo) and a female tiger (Panthera tigris). There is another type of lion-tiger hybrid called a tigon, which results from the breeding of a male tiger and a female lion. But ligers specifically have male lions as their fathers and female tigers (aka tigresses) as their mothers.

By Ada Tseng

The Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) roams across a vast range that stretches from the dense boreal forests of Western Europe to the rugged mountains of Central Asia. The largest of all the lynx species, it plays a crucial role as a top predator in its ecosystem.

By Yara Simón

The clouded leopard roams the dense forests of Southeast Asia, from the foothills of the Himalayas to the tropical rainforests of Borneo and Sumatra. These elusive big cats have striking coat patterns and unique adaptations.

By Yara Simón

Often called the "ghosts of the mountains," the elusive snow leopard is one of the most mysterious big cats. Found in the rugged mountain ranges of Central Asia, these beautiful animals are perfectly adapted to their harsh, cold environments.

By Yara Simón

The cougar, also known as Puma concolor, is one of the most adaptable and widespread cat species in the Americas. You can find this elusive predator, commonly referred to as a mountain lion or puma, across a vast range that extends from the southern tip of South America to the wilds of Canada.

By Yara Simón

The lion, scientifically known as Panthera leo, is an awe-inspiring animal. These majestic big cats symbolize strength, courage, and royalty across various cultures. Primarily found in Africa and a small pocket in India, wild lions play a crucial role in maintaining the balance of their ecosystems.

By Yara Simón

Tigers, scientifically known as Panthera tigris, have striking orange coats, black stripes and piercing eyes. Like other big cats, tigers are at risk. Tiger populations occupy about 5 percent of their historical range, making conservation necessary.

By Yara Simón

Leopards, scientifically known as Panthera pardus, are some of the most adaptable big cats in the world. These sleek and powerful animals live in various habitats, from the savannas of Africa to the mountains of Central Asia.

By Yara Simón

A federal judge reversed a Trump administration ruling that removed the gray wolf from the Endangered Species Act. Here's why.

By Logan Smith

Servals have long legs and necks, which allow them to spot prey over the tall grasses of the savanna, but their huge ears give them their best weapon - an acute sense of hearing.

By Mark Mancini

These wily canines are probably best known because of the phrase "a dingo ate my baby." But come on. Did a dingo really eat a baby? And do they even attack humans?

By Meg Sparwath

This kitten-looking wild cat is known as the 'hummingbird of the cat family' and could almost fit in the palm of your hand, but its diminutive size belies a ferocious personality.

By Wendy Bowman

Aardwolves aren't closely related to either aardvarks or wolves, but these little hyenas resemble both in some ways.

By Jesslyn Shields

The arctic fox is able to thrive in temperatures as low as -58 degrees F (-50 degrees C), largely because it has fur on the soles of its feet and the warmest coat of any animal on Earth.

By Wendy Bowman

Puma, panther, mountain cat, mountain lion, mountain screamer, painter, catamount and, yes, cougar. This cat has a lot of names!

By Wendy Bowman

With their fierce jaws and cunning hunting tactics, spotted hyenas don't seem to have much to joke about. So what do those spine-chilling peals of laughter really mean?

By Cristen Conger

The maned wolf might as well be called a werewolf given its unfortunate name. You see it's not a wolf at all, and despite all appearances, it isn't a fox either.

By Mark Mancini

"Pure coyotes" are now much rarer than what we would consider coyote-wolf hybrids, or coywolves.

By Jesslyn Shields & Talon Homer

With lightning speed and incredible vision, the cheetah is the fastest land animal on Earth and the best hunter on the savanna.

By Jesslyn Shields & Zach Taras

It turns out that bobcats do just fine if not actively hunted by humans.

By Jesslyn Shields

Though ol' Wile E. never did catch the Road Runner, coyotes are some of the most ingenious and adaptable animals on the planet.

By Tara Yarlagadda

Jackals, formidable members of the canine family, are often portrayed in traditional world folklore as wily tricksters, up to no good. They are actually brilliant survivalists.

By Tara Yarlagadda

The ocelot may look like a slightly wilder version of a domesticated tabby cat, but they are three times the size of house cats, much fiercer and, though abundant in some areas, still endangered.

By Michelle Konstantinovsky

When we think of big cats in the wild, we most likely think of lions and tigers. But there are so many more amazing wild cats you've probably never even heard of. Here are five.

By Oisin Curran