|
|
Post by Stella on Aug 2, 2010 11:08:38 GMT -5
TIGERS There are four main color in tigers, The most common is the orange and black or Standard color. Less common is the White (white with black stripes). The Golden Tabby (golden with reddish stripes) is extremely rare. The most rare of all is the striking Snow White Bengal tiger (white with faint gold stripes.) A common misconception is that the white tiger is the Siberian (Amur) subspecies, while in truth, the Bengal is the only subspecies of tiger to display the four distinct color schemes. A Bengal tiger mother can produce cubs with any of the color variations provided she carries the appropriate recessive genes, and she can have cubs of any or all colors in the same litter. Body Length(mm) -1400-3000 Weight (kg) - 100-300 Litter Size - 2-4 average Life Span - 15-20 Status - Criticaly Endangered
|
|
|
|
Post by Stella on Aug 2, 2010 11:50:04 GMT -5
LIONS The lion, white to sandy brown in colour, is the largest of the African carnivores. Cubs are faintly spotted on the lower parts; some adults retain traces of the spots. Adult males have manes that vary in colour from tawny to black. This, together with their larger size, distinguishes them from females. Lions live a lazy lifestyle, typically active for only two to four hours in every 24. They are most active at night and rest during the day. A lion pride consists of a group of two to 12 closely related adult females with their young, attended by one to six adult males. If there is more than one male they are often, but not always, close relatives, often brothers. Scientific name: Panthera leo Average shoulder height: Males - 1.2 m; Females - 90cm. Weight: Males - 190kg; Females - 130kg. Gestation period: 110 days Life expectancy: 13 -15 yrs Read more: www.wildlife-pictures-online.com/lion-information.html#ixzz0vT3tHvKc
|
|
|
|
Post by Stella on Aug 2, 2010 12:05:16 GMT -5
JAGUAR In appearance the Jaguar is often confused with the Leopard - both cats, depending to a degree on sub-species have a similar brownish/yellow base fur colour, which is distinctively marked with dark rosette markings. However, the jaguar can be distinguished by the presence of small dots or irregular shapes within the larger rosette markings, a more stocky and muscular body and a shorter tail. Melanistic or black jaguars are common in certain parts of its range and are often confusingly labelled 'Black Panthers', a name which is also applied to black Leopards. Body Length(mm) - 1200-1800 Weight (kg) - 70-120 Litter Size - 1-4 average Life Span - 12-16 Status - Near Threatened
|
|
|
|
Post by Stella on Aug 2, 2010 12:08:58 GMT -5
LEOPARD The leopard is most easily recognized by its rosette patterned coat and extremely long, darker tail. This large cat is sometimes confused in appearance with the South American Jaguar - the leopard though is less stocky and unlike the jaguar, its rosette markings are generally smaller and have no internal spots. Generally the male is between 20-40% larger than the female. All black or melanistic leopards, sometimes commonly called ‘Black Panthers’ , are born in the same litter as normally marked cats and also carry the rosette markings, although these are masked by the darkness of the fur. It has been observed that the melantistic leopard is most generally found in the dense, wet forested areas of India and south east Asia, where the coloration advantages the cat in its hunting. Body Length(mm) -910-1900 Weight (kg) - 30-90 Litter Size - 2-3 average Infant Mortality - 40-50% Life Span - 12-17 years Status - Various
|
|
|
|
Post by Stella on Aug 2, 2010 12:28:55 GMT -5
SNOW LEOPARD In appearance, the snow leopard is strikingly different from the common leopard. Although it has similar rosettes and broken-spot markings, they appear less well defined and are spaced further apart. The fur is long and woolly and helps protect the cat from the extreme cold of its generally mountainous habitat. The general ground coloration of the cat is predominantly grey with brownish/yellow tinges on its flanks and lighter, often white fur on its belly, chest and chin. The head, which sports small ears and a distinctive heavy brow, is rounded and comparatively small for its body size, which can be up to 1.3 meters length and weigh up to around 70kg. The long tail, which can measure as much as 900cm, helps the cat balance as it moves over rugged and often snowy terrain. The powerful limbs of the snow leopard are relatively short for its body size and are supported by large, powerful paws. Body Length(mm) -900-1350 Weight (kg) - 50 average Litter Size - 2-3 average Life Span - 15-18 Status - Endangered
|
|
|
|
Post by Stella on Aug 2, 2010 12:53:01 GMT -5
CHEETAH regular  king there are two cheetahs, regular or king cheetah. The Cheetah in many ways is peculiar amongst the many cat species. In both looks and physical mobility it resembles a large muscular greyhound - its long streamlined body is carried on long, thin but powerful legs, which endow it with great speed in the chase. A fully grown cheetah can reach speeds in excess of 60 mph and can easily outrun any animal over short distances. Its paws too, are almost dog-like, narrow and hard padded they sport only slightly retractable claws, the only of its type amongst the species of cat, and offer the cat extra grip in its high-speed pursuits. The cheetah unlike other ‘Big Cats’ does not roar, however it does purr and other vocal sounds range from high pitched yelps and barks to longer chirruping sounds. Body Length(mm) -1100-1600 Weight (kg) - 45-65 (average) Litter Size - 2-5 average Infant mortality - 75% Life Span - 12-14 Status - Asian - Critically Endangered Status - Others - Vulnerable
|
|
|
|
Post by Stella on Aug 2, 2010 13:19:51 GMT -5
COUGAR or Puma  A cat of many names, the Puma is also known as the Cougar, Panther or Mountain Lion. In general the size and coloration of the cat varies greatly across its range, which stretches from the south west of Canada down the western states of North America and throughout most western parts of the South American continent. In the north of its range and in higher mountainous regions the pumas coat is generally longer to provide additional protection against the extremes in temperature - the colour of the fur varies from slate grey, through yellow buff to light reddish brown. In appearance the puma has a small, broad head with small rounded ears, a powerful body with long hind legs and tail, which is tipped with black. Body Length(mm) -1100-2000 Litter Size - 2-3 average Life Span - 10-15 years Status - Florida - Endangered Status - Least Concern
|
|
|
|
Post by Stella on Aug 2, 2010 13:30:32 GMT -5
|
|
