Animalogy: Cats and Other Felines by Bassam Imam - HTML preview

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WIDELY KNOWN WILD CATS

There are 36 recognized wild cat species in the world. They can be found in every part of the world except for Antarctica, Australia, and certain island assemblages.

Cheetahs, the fastest land mammals on earth, can run up to 65 to 70 mph. Streamlined bodies, flexible spine, deep chest, special pads on its feet, long tail for balance, has the ability to retract its claws, and long legs make them suitable for incredible but short bursts of speed for up to 500 meters. The pronghorn sheep, the fasted land mammal in North America can reach a speed of 50 mph.

Although cheetahs are classified as big cats they’re built like Greyhounds. A lone cheetah who takes down an animal must be extra diligent to eat fast. Even 2 or 3 Cheetahs aren't good fighters in comparison to a group of hyenas or even a single lion or lioness. Cheetahs can’t even roar, and as sprinters they can't afford any kind of injury whatsoever; even for protecting its kill.

Cheetahs are clean eaters, never eating carrion and also leaving skin, bones, and entrails. In addition, cheetahs rely on their vision rather than smell and on evading larger predators in hunts. This means that their chase downs of prey occur during the daylight hours. Their preference includes Thomson’s gazelle, Grant’s gazelle (young, old, sickly, slow, injured, old, struggling, wandering, or dumb gazelles), hare, warthog, game birds, and under normal circumstances will only eat livestock out of desperation or easy opportunity.

Males can live in small coalitions of 2 or 3 brothers, while females generally live alone but share the same home range as their mothers. Other predators often kill cheetah cubs and adults thereby aggravating the population problem.

Most cheetahs weigh 85 to 140 lbs. and are 32 inches tall at the shoulder. They're considered light for big cats. Cheetahs once flourished in Africa and large swaths of Asia. Today most live in sub-Saharan Africa with a measly few in Iran.

Changes in climate, destruction of their habitat (cheetahs need large tracts of land) and ‘forfeit of prey’ to other predators, lack of available prey, excessive inbreeding (a recurring problem in the wild), disease, excessive unregulated hunting (trophy, hides and ranchers) and poaching have decimated cheetah populations. Cheetahs need wide open land to chase down their prey.

At the end of the 19th century the cheetah population is estimate to have been over 100,000. Presently, there are an estimated 12,000 cheetahs mostly scattered in sub-Saharan Africa. As such, extinction is a looming problem.

Cheetahs are protected in Namibia as long as individuals DO NOT PREY ON LIVESTOCK. They are classified as vulnerable on the Conservation Union’s Red List of Threatened Animals.

Cheetahs can be prey animals for big game hunters.

Ozandjave Hunting Safaris in Namibia boasts of being located in an area with the highest density of cheetah population in the world.

Because cheetahs are so fast and occupy vast lands hunting them may take extra work. In addition, even when cheetahs aren’t chasing or stalking prey they tend to be on the move. Because cheetahs DO NOT eat carrion, enticing them with rotten slabs of flesh won’t work. They need fresh kills. Trackers are often used to close in on the cheetahs.

Although Cheetahs are legally protected in Namibia, this does not mean that they’re never hunted. The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) permits 150 cheetah hunts or live exports per year. The worst target to shoot is a mother who has cubs. Without a mother the cubs are literally helpless and defenceless.

The cougar was devastated by the clearing of the land, habitat transformation, hunting, a lessening of prey animals, and by who ranchers considered these ‘big cats’ vermin and livestock killers. Like the wolf, the eastern cougar was demonized. Bounties were offered to persons who killed a cougar. Cougars in the mountain zone and Pacific zone also had bounties on their heads. They were treated as wanted criminals in the literal sense.

The cougar has been referred to as ghost cat, cougar, eastern cougar, painter, mountain lion, panther, eastern panther, puma and catamount. The countless names occurred as a direct response to the eastern cougar’s evasiveness and as a result of its brethren being scattered over the landscape. In the olden days, people from a particular region came up with a special name for their big cat. Mountain lions in the mountain states region, cougars are out west, eastern panthers out east, etc. I shall use the word cougar for simplicity sake.

For ease sake I have placed the URL addresses for all sub– species of this big cat species under the letter ‘C’ for Cougar. I will also use the other names interchangeably in this section of my eBook. The eastern cougar is a subspecies of the cougar. Having been listed on the Endangered Species List since 1973 it is imperative that successful conservation measures be taken and sustained.

The eastern cougar is large, dark yellowish-brown, long– tailed, and is native to America. The eastern cougar has been sighted on numerous occasions. However, many of these sightings cannot be substantiated. The last confirmed kill for an eastern cougar in Maine was in the late 1930s, but sightings persist. In addition, cougars were officially eliminated from Nebraska in the late 19th century. However, they’ve entered residential properties. They’re habitats have been invaded and have shrunk considerably. Most likely they searching for food at the time or trekking.

Although I’d like to see cougars live in specially protected areas or reserves, if they enter the human domain it’ll only be a matter of time before a human, companion animal, or livestock is mauled or killed. Understand that cougar killing of humans is rare, but can happen.

The cougar once roamed most of the Americas. Perhaps more space for all land mammals except for humans. This is a graceful, beautiful, confident, and adept species. Cougars weigh between 80 and 200 lbs. Males are larger than females.

The cougar out east has already begun to make a comeback. Although not as widespread as it once was this big cat is resilient; true to its predatory nature.

The cougar is a very powerful predator capable of killing all other animal predators singly except for the bear species. In fair fight, a large, healthy cougar can destroy any wolf.

Unlike wolves, cougars tend to be nocturnal. This big cat will stalk or ambush its target a dive from above from heights up to 50 feet or with a lightning fast charge. In addition, like many other cat species, the cougar is also an athletic leaper and jumper. But, the cougar can’t run or trot for long distances. Endurance is not a cat characteristic.

However, as soon as the cat pounces on its target it bites solidly and relentlessly into its neck.

An adult male cougar can get by on one large kill per week. Females with cubs obviously need extra food.

Aside from humans the cougar doesn’t have much to worry about regarding its own predation. Cougars can’t roar like lions, tigers, leopards, and jaguars.

Leopards are the most numerous and widespread of the 36 cat species. They are incredible climber, able to go without water for a few days, graceful and stealthy in their movements and have rosettes on their skins. The latter has been a cause of major hunting, poaching and pelt trafficking.

A leopard pelt is worth much on the market and also sought after for its beauty.

This big cat is brave, an incredible tree climber. So much so he is able to carry a carcass up a high tree branch. Pound for pound the leopard is the strongest of the cats. Tigers and lions are considerably larger and more massive thereby giving them unparalleled strength. However, the leopard can growl which inflicts extra fear on the prey animal.

The leopard is very patient, solitary, and nocturnal. It can eye its target until the right moment, not flinching or making any move until it’s time for the kill.

But leopards are known to kill livestock, have a fondness for dog flesh, and sometimes enter villages in search of human flesh, unfortunately successfully. Leopards weigh 70 to 175 lbs.

therefore we humans are the ideal sized prey. They are nocturnal, solitary and very stealthy, causing a greater fear and hatred within the farmer, rancher, and village communities. Otherwise, leopards can eat monkeys, fish, termites, mongoose, wildebeest, carrion, birds, reptiles, warthogs, antelope species and hare.

Leopards range across Asia and Africa and because they can adapt to cold or warm climates are better equipped to search for food and can try to trek away from human induced dangers.

Although leopards are adaptable they’re listed as ‘Near Threatened’ by the IUCN. For a complete listing of cats on the IUCN Red List go to the Information Booth below to Cats (General) Section and then scroll down to Leopards. You will see ‘pictures of cats’ URL. This address will give you the aforementioned information.

Snow leopards are incredibly athletic, strong, solitary, evasive and secretive and agile. They can take down prey almost 3 times their size. These cats weigh 60 to 130 lbs. In fact, they can jump as far as 50 feet. Snow leopards have thick fur to keep them nice and warm in their mountain habitats. In addition, their paws are well padded used like snowshoes. In addition, snow leopards have large, incredible night (low-light) vision.

They inhabit parts of East, Central, and South Asia. Snow leopards inhabit a portion of a dozen countries. The areas are generally fragmented but also somewhat remote. Population estimates run as low as 3500 to a maximum of 7000 in the wild.

They have no one to fear but humans, but once in a blue moon a snow leopard will be predated by wolves. They are spotted cats with markings and rosettes on their fur. Unfortunately, their beauty has not always been a blessing.

Poaching of their pelts (especially for ‘customers’ in Central Asia, Eastern Europe, and Russia), a vanishing of prey animals, and a lucrative trade in body parts (Chinese medicine) has devastated snow leopard populations. They are listed as endangered. In addition, some snow leopards are used for animal collections.

Snow leopards may stalk or ambush their prey, which consists of argali (wild sheep), mountain ibex, hares, argali, yak, asses, musk deer, musk ox, marmots (alpine rodents), birds, and domestic livestock.

The killing of livestock results in herders trapping, shooting or poisoning of snow leopards. The life of a herder is like that of a snow leopard, rough and tough. Herders prize each and every animal in their possession. Even one animal loss can be a catastrophe for a herder. But human expansion has had a more devastating effect on snow leopards. When humans expand they alter and reduce the size of the landscape which causes a reduction in prey numbers, pollute the area, and inevitably come into conflict with ‘in this particular case’ the snow leopard.

Lions live in groups called prides consisting primarily of lionesses and 2 or 3 males. The lionesses are all related. Male cubs will grow up to and be solitary lions until they acquire their own pride. This is generally done by dethroning the alpha lion of a pride. Fights are brutal and sometimes lead to horrible injuries. The loser will most likely become a lifelong solitary lion. In other words, he’ll be a washed up champion.

Hunting is most often done by lionesses, in organized groups. The lion’s job is to protect the pride and to fight off rival lions. Usually, the lion has first choice after a kill. He’s much stronger and bigger than any female in the pride, and well ... that’s enough justification for him.

Lions and hyenas appear to be ‘eternal enemies’. For lions, especially lionesses feasting on a fresh kill and who aren’t accompanies by a male despise hyenas. Hyenas will pester the lionesses and will make snapping bites at them until they leave the kill. However, if a male or two come to the rescue things often change.

Lions who kill hyenas take it personally. Sometimes, they’ll violently shake the hyena after breaking its neck. A lion has a bit for of 600 lbs. per square inch. In addition, it has incredible claws, brute strength, flexibility, and a ruthless demeanour. Their bodies are muscular and compact, and have powerful jaws, teeth, forelegs and incredible claws to take down struggling prey.

Lions weigh 250 to 550 lbs. The largest lion in recorded history weighed nearly 690 lbs. Lions are found primarily in sub-Saharan Africa, and the Asian lion is located in India.

In a charge, a lion can reach a speed of up to 50 mph, faster than a horse’s maximum speed. Lions must have a lightning fast charge because most of their prey animals are fast runners and are hyper sensitive. Their prey however, includes wildebeest, antelope, zebra, buffalo, warthogs, young elephants, seals (on the coast).

Occasionally, a human will be killed and eaten by a lion. This usually occurs because the lion is famished, sickly or unable to capture prey for whatever reason, is a ‘permanently dethroned’ lion (hence he’s a permanent transient lion), or he perceives the human as an easy kill (an unarmed human).

Asian lions are on the brink of extinction. With perhaps only 200 individuals left in the wild conservation programs must be sustained and strengthened.

Located in India’s Gir Forest in Gujarat Province it’s a far cry from their past glory days. Asian lions once inhabited areas from the Middle East to the Indian Continent. They’re slightly smaller than their African lion relatives and their main isn’t as pronounced either.

Regarding a lion’s mane, black manes terrify humans and prey more so than their bright coloured counterparts. In addition, as a general rule dark manes attract lionesses more than light coloured ones.

Asian lions eat goat, nilgai, deer, sambhar, buffalo, and small mammals. Killing of livestock is an occurrence. Shrinking habitat is the primary reason. Inbreeding and disease are potential disasters.

The Bengal Tiger, also known as the Royal Bengal Tiger is a subspecies of tiger that wanders through tropical and sub- tropical rainforests, mangroves, grasslands, and higher altitudes. The Bengal tiger is the most numerous of the tiger subspecies, 2000 wild individuals living in India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Nepal. Bengal tigers are the second largest big cat, only outdone in size by the Siberian tiger.

At the turn of the 20th century there were 8 tiger sub– species, 3 have already vanished. It’s the same story; overhunting, poaching, trapping, skin trade, loss of habitat, and in some cases poisoning. There were hundreds of thousands of tigers at their prime, now they’re down to a few thousands.

Bengal tigers are beautiful and weigh 220 to 650 lbs. and the largest recorded tiger weighed nearly 860 lbs. The males are considerably larger and stronger than the females. A hungry Bengal tiger can eat 60 lbs. of food in one sitting and prefer to hunt at night. Any noticeable reduction in prey for whatever reason will be felt by the tigers. White tigers have no orange colour on their bodies.

Numerous conservation programs have been instituted to help save the Siberian Tiger (Amur Tiger) from extinction. With only a few hundred left in the wild they’re listed as critically endangered by the IUCN.

Siberian Tigers are the largest big cats who live in the forests of Siberia, Russia Northern China and Korea. Much of their habitat is uninhabited or thinly inhabited by humans. In addition, their Siberian range is vast. This is better for them however, they’re still hunted for their hides and body parts (Chinese medicine).

Siberian tigers prefer to hunt at night, can charge at 50 mph but for short distances, are incredible jumpers, proficient swimmers, and can climb trees if absolutely necessary.

There are roughly 550 Siberian tigers housed in zoos. Captive breeding programs are necessary.

Siberian tigers are very large, powerful, elegant, confident, and fearless. Siberian Tigers weigh 225 to 680 lbs.

However, some large individuals can reach 800 lbs. Sexual dimorphism is apparent, with males considerably larger than females.

Siberian tigers may kill and eat livestock out of necessity. This tiger species tends to stay away from humans. An attack on a human is usually the result of unavailability of normal prey, the tiger is sickly, or the human has somehow come too close to the tiger.

Siberian tigers eat deer, wild boar, monkeys, porcupines, or other small mammals if larger ones aren’t available.

Deforestation causes a shrinkage and fragmentation of the forest. Fragmentation literally places human obstacles to the Siberian tiger’s natural tendency to roam, find food, and also to find a mate. The latter will result in an isolated population of tigers. This in turn will result in inbreeding thereby weakening the gene pool.

The South China Tiger is critically endangered or you could say it is functionally extinct. It is likely that the other tiger sub-species evolved from this tiger.

The South China tiger makes its home in Central and Eastern China. It lives in the forests and grasslands. This tiger is rarely seen and could possibly be extinct in the wild. It is smaller than the larger sub-species of tigers weighing in at 200 to 350 lbs. and sexual dimorphism is apparent.

In mid-20th century there were roughly 4000 individuals and today there may be a few dozen or less in the wild and in zoos.

South China zoo tigers are descendants of 6 ‘founding parents’ thereby making genetic diversity a dream and not reality.

As is the case with many animals the South China tigers were considered ‘pests’ by a government. In this case, the Government of China, and as such were the target of an anti-pest control measure. At least 1000 South China tigers were killed. There are only a few dozen individuals housed in zoos.

The south China tiger can eat 60 lbs. of food or more in a single sitting. It has the strength and power to drag an animal carcass that a dozen men couldn’t do. All tiger species love deer and wild boar. But in addition, the Sou