caracal
Caracal

The Felidae or cat Family is currently classed as having 41 species. The family includes 40 wild cat species, and also our beloved domestic pets. We didn’t want them to feel left out, so we also have a fact sheet on the Domestic cat Felis catus.

Wild cats are found on every continent except Australia and Antarctica. Even though the small cats make up the majority of the Felidae Family, most people are unaware of these tiny felines. Education and public awareness are major components of wildcat conservation, so we are happy to provide fact sheets on all wild cats:

Africa

Asia

Eurasia

North America

South America

See our complete list of Felidae Taxonomy (2017)

The small wild cats alphabetically:

African Golden Cat * Andean Cat * Asiatic Golden Cat

Black-footed Cat * Bobcat * Borneo Bay Cat

Canada Lynx * Caracal * Chinese Mountain CatClouded Leopard

Eurasian Lynx 

Fishing Cat * Flat-headed Cat

Geoffroy’s Cat

Iberian Lynx 

Jaguarundi * Jungle Cat

Kodkod

Leopard Cat 

Marbled Cat * Margay

Ocelot

Pallas’ Cat * Pampas Cat

Rusty-spotted Cat

Sand Cat * Serval * Sunda Clouded Leopard * Sunda Leopard Cat

Tiger Cat Species Complex

Wildcat – African, European

 

Bibliography for all our Wildcat fact sheets

www.iucnredlist.org

IUCN/SSC Cat Specialist Group

Published scientific papers written by wild cat researchers – ongoing

Revised Taxonomy of the Felidae (2017) – IUCN Cat Specialist Group

Biology & Conservation of Wild Felids; D.W. MacDonald, A.J. Loveridge, (2010) Oxford Press

Carnivores of the World; L. Hunter, (2010) Princeton University Press

Handbook of Mammals of the World: Vol 1, Carnivores; D. Wilson & R. Mittermeier(2009) Lynx Edicions/IUCN

Wild Cats Status Survey & Conservation Action Plan; K. Knowell & P. Jackson, (1996) IUCN

Updated 2024

7 Responses

  1. Courtney

    I fell in love with cats when my family moved to Korea where we got my baby Tom. Then I finally realized all I want to do is work for and with cats. (big and small) I used to go to a rescue for cats and I loved it, it showed me that everything and everyone needs a little help and with that, I am going to be a wild animal veterinarian specializing in cats but do all animals. I love what you show on your website. It is very informational and I hope to see more increases.

  2. Charlie Haas

    How can I become involved in the blackfooted cat research? Looking for field work.

  3. Wagner

    Hi everyone:
    Congratulations for this web site. I am conducing a research with personal economic resources about density and behavior of pampas cat in Perú all support for this adventure is Welcome!!
    Wagner

  4. pasang

    I am conducting a research on density, habitat use and conservation threats of Leopard cat under Tendruk Block, Samtse District of Bhutan BUT i am facing lots of financial problem to do that research effectively. so i would be glad if any organisation can render some financial help.

  5. rick 10111

    I have been a huge admirer and enthusiast of all wild cats in the world, but I admit, I don’t know too much about the smaller members of the Felidae Family. I love your website

Talk to Us!

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.