Cats---from tiny forest cats to huge Siberian tigers---have always been admired and somewhat feared for their strength, beauty, and hunting prowess. Lions, tigers, and pumas are mighty hunters, but so are tiny forest cats and even domesticated cats.

For more information on the role of the large cats worldwide from prehistoric times to now, read Cult of the Cat, by archeologist Nicholas J. Saunders.

Jaguar

Jaguar is the ruling cat from Mexico throughout most of South America. Many cultures revered this large, fierce cat as a mighty hunter. The jaguar is also associated with the lower spirit world.

Jaguar Portrait Art Print
Ellis, Gerry
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Jaguar is normally a large, spotted cat, but there are also rare, almost solid black jaguars.

More information on Jaguar is coming soon.

Lion

Lions once lived all over Europe, the Middle East, and Asia as well as Africa. That's why you see lions in the heraldic coats of arms of European nobility. Lions still live in forests in one area of northeast India.

Although Europeans associate male lions with royalty, it is the females, the lionesses, who are the mighty hunters. They work together in a coordinated effort and are very clever strategists. Lions have the largest brain of all the cat species.

As documented by field biologist Elizabeth Marshall Thomas in her wonderful book, The Tribe of Tiger, free wild lions have a culture of their own. A pride of lions is a family of lionesses (grandmother, mother, sisters, and daughterse) and their current shared mate. Lions have lived peacefully beside the oldest humans in central Africa for at least 100,000 years.

Pride's Proud Family Art Print
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Sekhmet, the lioness, associated with the fierce power of the desert sun, was revered in Egypt for thousands of years before farmers began honoring the domestic cat goddess Bastet.

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Leopard

Leopards are loners. They are fierce and merciless hunters, feared even by the African peoples who live peacefully alongside lions. In most of Africa it is the leopard that symbolizes royalty.

Leopard with Infant at Masai-Mara, Kenya Art Print
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Leopards, too, once ranged all across Europe and Asia as well as Africa. Leopards still live in parts of Asia.

In certain forest areas there are black leopards, also called panthers.

More information on Leopard is coming soon.

Tiger

Tigers are the largest living cats. Originating in Siberia, they spread through Asia and into what is now Malaysia.

Eyes of the Goddess: Sumatran Tigress Art Print
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According to biologist Elizabeth Marshall Thomas, tigers are highly intelligent and curious. They swim well and climb trees. A tiger is the only animal that can kill a healthy adult elephant.

Bengal Tigers Art Print
Wothe, Konrad
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Tigers have been revered for their strength, beauty, and power for thousands of years. Various Asian rulers covered their thrones with tiger skins to impress their subjects and rivals with their power.

According to Nicholas J. Saunders, the famous and highly prized wool tiger carpets of Tibet were used as sort of magical guardians to protect shamans and lamas while they journeyed or meditated.

More information on Tiger is coming soon.

Puma, Cougar, Mountain Lion, Panther

The puma, also called panther, cougar, or mountain lion in some regions, lives all over North and South America. In much of North America, pumas are the only large wild cat.

Mountain Lion in a Wintry Landscape Photographic Print
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Though physically large compared to bobcats, lynxes, and ocelots, the puma is biologically a small cat. Unlike the other large cats, it purrs.

Pumas are generally shy, solitary animals, seldom seen by humans. However, in recent years pumas have been sighted in towns and suburbs in the American West, where their habitats are rapidly shrinking.

Puma was the power animal of the Inkas (the royal family and high nobility of pre-Columbian Peru). The Inka (emporer said to be the son of the Sun) sat on a thrown covered in puma skins.

There are some beautiful Zuni fetishes representing pumas.

More information on Puma is coming soon.

Ocelot

The ancient Mexican word for jaguar in is ocelotl. The smaller cat that we now call ocelot is smaller but is also spotted, like a miniature jaguar. Though they once ranged from Mexico up through Texas, loss of habitat has made these beautiful little cats extremely rare.

Ocelot Outdoors Photographic Print
Davis, David
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Ocelots tend to live in dryer environments than jaguars, rather than jungle. Ocelots still favor wooded areas that offer enough game and cover for their small size. Their size allows them to live on smaller game, because they need less food.

More information on Ocelot is coming soon.

Other Cats

More information on other cats is coming soon.

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