Big Cats

Big cats such as lions, tigers, leopards, and jaguars fascinate us like few other creatures. They are enduring symbols of natural majesty and power. Yet despite the magnetic appeal of the big cats, their origins and evolutionary history remain poorly understood—and human activity threatens to put an end to the big cats’ glory. On the Prowl is a fully illustrated and approachable guide to the evolution of the big cats and what it portends for their conservation today. Mark Hallett and John M. Harris trace the origins of these iconic carnivores, venturing down the evolutionary pathways that produced the diversity of big cat species that have walked the earth. They place the evolution and paleobiology of these species in the context of ancient ecosystems and climates, explaining what made big cats such efficient predators and analyzing their competition with other animals. Hallett and Harris pay close attention to human impact, from the evidence of cave paintings and analysis of ancient extinctions up to present-day crises. Their engaging and carefully documented account is brought to life through Hallett’s detailed, vivid illustrations, based on the most recent research by leading paleontologists. Offering a fresh look at the rise of these majestic animals, On the Prowl also makes a powerful case for renewed efforts to protect big cats and their habitats before it is too late.

"This illustrated children's book brings together every domestic cat breed in the world alongside coloured drawings of rare wild cats and the well-known big cats. It is divided into double-page spreads. The book features cat breeds from North America, Europe, Asia and the Rest of the World; the second half is devoted to the wild cats of the world, both the rarer small species and the large cats of Africa, North and South America and Asia - the Tiger, Lion, Leopard, Cheetah and Jaguar. The book also features both a charming kitten identifier and a cub identifier. And an extensive cat index gives the reader fun facts about every breed and species featured. This is a great new reference guide for all the family that will make your little children cat experts!"--

A beautifully illustrated nonfiction story by wildlife ecologist Tyus D. Williams, following lions, cheetahs, tigers, panthers, mountain lions, and snow leopards over the course of one day.

Big Cats opens with "Charlotte," in which a young girl with a broken pelvis spies on her voluptuous neighbor during a long, hot summer night, setting the tone of irrepressible curiosity and yearning that is evident throughout the collection. In "Get Away from Me, David," a bank manager tries to overcome his haunted past as he deals with the aftermath of a minor earthquake and the body of a customer who died in the lobby. "Big Cats" pits two teenage girls against each other in an escalating catfight at the zoo where they work, culminating in a blowout in front of the lion cage.

Presents information about the physical features, behavior, habitats, and geographical distribution of wild and feral cats throughout the world, and the dangers they face from humans and changes to their environment.

Text and pictures introduce lions, tigers, leopards, and the other big cats.

Lions, leopards, and jaguars are closely related, while the snow leopard and tiger are sister species. Despite enormous differences in size, these various species of “big cats” are all fairly similar in both structure and behaviors. Only the cheetah – not technically a big cat – is significantly different. The only large cats that roar are the “big four,” comprising lions, tigers, jaguars, and leopards. Although still termed as big cats, the other species don’t have the capability to make such impressive statements. Habitats for these impressive carnivores vary from Asia, Africa, and Iran to North and South America and Europe. The main threat to their existence is man – due to poaching and the destruction of natural habitats – and across much of the globe, these beautiful creatures are protected through conservation. This is especially true of the Masai Mara in Kenya and Tanzania’s Serengeti, which host huge populations of lions, leopards, and cheetahs. Significant measures have been implemented by the likes of the Captive Wildlife Safety Act (CWSA) and the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), to protect these species and any hybrid species that occur through big cat breeding, to further deter black market activities. This book takes a look at all the “big cats” and uncovers their secrets from habitats to anatomy, feeding and long-term survival to rearing their young, and everything in between.

Introduces several species of big cats including, tigers, leopards, jaguars and cheetahs. Examines their physical characteristics, behaviour, habitats and how they raise their young. Suggested level: primary.