A List of Jungle Cats and Wildcats

Wildcats, jungle cats, house cats and all other cats are part of the Felidae family. They belong to the Mammalia class and the Carnivora order, which can explain why all cats eat meat. Within the family of Felidae, there are individual names for each species. Jungle cats and wildcats are synonymous.

  1. North and South America

    • The main types of wildcats found in North America are jaguars, pumas, bobcats, Canadian lynxes, ocelots, jaguarundi and margays. In North America, all of these species are endangered --- with the exception of the Canadian lynx, which is severely threatened. South America's cats include jaguars, pumas, ocelots, jaguarundis, margays, Andean Mountain cats, Pampas cats, oncillas, Geoffroy's cats and kodkods. These are all either endangered or threatened. Jaguars, cougars and ocelots represent the top of the food chain in the Amazon rain forest.

    Europe

    • The wildcats of Europe and the Middle East include leopards, caracals, lynxes, Spanish lynxes, European wildcats, jungle cats, Pallas's cats and Indian wildcats. Whereas the term "jungle cat" may refer to wild cats in general, Europeans sometimes classify the swamp cat or reed cat as simply "jungle cat," although all names describe the same creature. In general, the European cats have thriving populations, with the exception of the Spanish lynx, which is critically endangered.

    Africa

    • Africa has some of the biggest cats in the world. These include the African lion, leopard, cheetah, serval, caracal, African golden cat, sand cat, African wildcat and black-footed cat. Despite the enormous size of the African lion, which can weigh up to 400 pounds, the leopard is the top predator on the continent. The cheetah is also an impressive animal, as it can run faster than any animal on Earth.

    Asia

    • Central Asia is home to the tiger, Asian lion, snow leopard, leopard, clouded leopard, caracal, sand cat, lynx, jungle cat, marbled cat, Chinese mountain cat, Pallas's cat, rusty spotted cat, Temminck's golden cat, leopard cat, fishing cat and Indian wildcat. Southeast Asia is home to the tiger, leopard, clouded leopard, marbled cat, Temminck's golden cat, leopard cat, Bornean bay cat, fishing cat, flat-headed cat and Iriomote cat. The tiger and the leopard are the top predators in both areas.