Category Secrets of the Wild

       In a zoo, visitors spend more time watching a hippo! This may be because of the physical features that make it distinctly different from other animals.

       A hippo has a bulky body. After elephants, hippos are regarded as the biggest land animal on Earth! A male hippo typically weighs about 2000 kg! It is 3.5 metres long and 1.5 metres tall too.

      Hippos love spending time in water. One reason for their love for water is to keep themselves cool in the scorching heat of African summers. Rivers and lakes infested with hippos are dangerous places to visit in Africa, as these animals are unpredictable. Their eyes, nose, and ears are located on the top of their head. These features help them stay submerged in water and still breathe and see.

      There is a popular misconception that they sweat blood when out of water.

      However, the truth is that the animals sweat an oily red the animals sweat an oily red liquid, which acts as a sun block, and helps them protect their skin from drying out in the hot sun.

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       The hippopotamus has no other family members, as they are the only living members of their family, Hippopotamidae.

       There are two living species of hippos: the pygmy hippo, and the common hippo. The pygmy hippos live in the forests of West Africa. Hippos have similarities with pigs, who may be their closest living relatives on earth. They are cetaceans, meaning they live in water, much like a whale or dolphin!

       Hippopotamuses have short, stumpy legs and barrel shaped bodies. Their heads are large. They have a characteristic broad mouth, and nostrils placed at the top of their snouts. A hippo’s stomach has three chambers.

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       Do you remember Pumbaa in the Lion King movie? Pumbaa is a common warthog. We do not generally associate pigs with grazing like cattle. However, the common warthog is pig species that has adapted to grazing. They live in savannah habitats.

       Commonly found in Africa, the warthog has two pairs of tusks curving upwards, which protrude from the mouth. The upper pair is longer and stronger than the lower pair. The lower pair, on the other hand, is very sharp, because of constant rubbing against the upper pair. The species is omnivorous. They live in groups called sounders. These animals are present in numerous protected areas across its range.

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       Unlike many other animals, wild boars do not live in groups or herbs. They prefer to live alone. The solitary males so not territories; and therefore, do not have any qualms in sharing their resources. The females on the other hand, live in mother-daughter groups. It is a common phenomenon in the pig family that the males grow larger than the females. A wild boar can run at a speed of 40 km/h, and jump to a height of 140 to 150 cm.

       The pigs that we have at home are the domesticated variety of the wild boar. These domesticated pigs are the descendants of the wild boars found in Asia, Europe, and North Africa. Man is responsible for furthering their distribution across the globe. The domestic pig is one of the wildest ranging mammals in the world.

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       There is so much diversity in the pig family. Wild boars have great variety in terms of weight and size. The giant forest hog, as its name suggests, is the largest wild member in the Suidae family.

     The animal is found in more than s dozen countries in Africa. The giant forest hog is 2.1 metres long, and 1.1 metres tall!

       However, the heaviest boar may be the Eurasian wild pig. The animal weighs up to 320 kg. The smallest member of the Suidae family is the pygmy hor. It is only 55 to 71 centimetres long. From hoof to shoulder, the animal is 25 centimetres tall. An adult pygmy hog weighs only about 10 kilograms.

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       The pig is a much misunderstood animal. People call it ugly. In fact, the pig is one of the most intelligent animals! Pigs, hogs and boras belong to the family of Suidae. Suidae includes domestic pegs and numerous species of wild pig, such as babirusas and warthogs.

       Pigs are known for their acute sense of hearing. They are vocal animals. Pigs’ communication involves a series of grunts, squeals and similar sounds. They have a well-developed sense of smell too.

       Most pig species are omnivorous animals. Their diet consists of grass, leaves, roots, insects, worms and even frogs or mice. There are some species that are selective and purely herbivorous. Very intelligent animals, suids are more adaptable than most animals.

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       Have you ever wondered why a tortoise had a race with a hare instead of any other animal? It is because hares are really fast. Incredibly fast runners, hares are capable of outrunning many other animals.

       In normal circumstances, hares can reach a maximum speed of 56 km/h for short distances of approximately 90 metres. Among rabbits, the jackrabbit is the fastest.

       A North American species of hare, this animal can reach a speed of 72 km/h. A jackrabbit has strong hind legs. They help it to leap about 3 metres in one bound. Some can reach 6metres, it is said. When a predator attacks, jackrabbits use a combination of leaping and zigzagging to outrun it.

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        Pikas are small mammals with short limbs and round bodies that look like rabbits, although they are not rabbits. They look like a combination of rabbit and guinea pig or vole. They are found in mountainous country sides in Asia. One or two species are found in northwest North America too.

       Unlike rabbits, pikas have round ears. They are just about 15 to 25 centimetres long. Most of them do not weigh beyond 350 grams. A pikas species that lives in the Himalayan mountain ranges has large eras. This animal is one of the highest living mammals found at heights of more than 6000 metres.

      Pikas feed on a range of vegetation such as grasses, flowers and young stems.

       They have the habit of storing up their food for winter. During autumn, they pull hay, soft twigs and other food items into their burrows, and eat them during the long cold winter that follows.

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       Rabbits do have a soft fur coat that makes it a dear pet. However, some species that live in the cold climate have thick coats.

       The snowshoe hares are an example. They live in forests, under the thick cover of brushy undergrowth. They are usually found in boreal forests, as far north as the shores of the Arctic Ocean.

       The specialty of these animals is that they have large, furry feet. These feet help them move atop the snow in winter. During winter, they have a thick snow-white winter coat, which turns brown when snow melts in the spring and the summer. In about ten weeks, the colour of the coat changes. Nimble and fast on their legs, these animals can get away easily from their predators.

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          Do you know to which family a cow belongs? Bison, African buffalo, water buffalo, antelope, wildebeest, impala, gazelles, sheep, goats, muskoxen and domestic cattle belong to the family named Bovidae. All of them are hoofed mammals. A member belonging to the Bovidae family is known as bovid.

          The Bovidae family is believed to have evolved 20 million years ago. Generally, the male members of the Bovidae family have horns, and the females lack them. However, among some domestic cattle, both males and females have horns. Horns are one of the most striking characteristics of the bovids. They vary greatly in shape and size across species. The greatest diversities of bovids occur in Africa. The maximum concentration of species is in the Savannahs of Eastern Africa. Other bovid species are also found in Europe, Asia, and North America.

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          A hyenas looks like a dog. Due to their similarity to dogs, they were, for a long time, considered to be belonging to the Canidae family. In fact, hyenas belong to the Hyaenidae family.

          Canids and hyenas have many similar features in their appearance and behaviour patterns. Both have the habit of eating quickly and strong their food. They catch their prey with their jaws and teeth and not with their claws.

          Hyenas however, are much stronger than dogs. They have the strongest set of jaws and teeth in the animal kingdom. Expert scavengers, hyenas help clear the remains of carcasses in the African plains.

          Hyenas are powerful as a pack. They can kill any prey when they are together. The kings of the jungle are afraid of hyenas when they approach in a pack because they might take away the kill from even a lion.

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            Have you seen a dog wag its tail? We know that dogs wag their tails to show their affection and gratitude. They use many signs to communicate among themselves too. In fact, wolves and dogs use sounds and body language to tell others about their moods, intentions or rank. Perhaps their tails are the most expressive of all their physical features. A high fluffed tail is a sign of authority and dominance. By puffing up their tail, they look bigger and are able to show how powerful they are. A wolf carrying its tail straight out behind it is aggressive and planning to attack. A terrified wolf adopts a humble pose. It makes itself as small as possible by crouching with its tail touching its belly.

            Lower ranking dogs or wolves in a pack approach a dominant member of the pack in order to greet or beg for food by crouching with their tails touching the belly. The tip of the tail will remain curved back to show its servility and docility towards its superior.

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          Have you seen a picture of a raccoon? It has a distinctive face with two black stripes running below its eyes. A raccoon dog looks very similar to a raccoon, but does not have anything to do with it! While a raccoon dog belongs to the Canidae family, the raccoon is a member of the Procyonidae family. Raccoons are the largest members of this family. They have the unique habit of washing food if they are near a source of water!

          The raccoon dog is also known as tanuki. The breed originates from East Asia. Their resemblance to raccoons has led people to mistake one for the other. However, we can see that both have very different features in terms of weight and diet etc. Raccoon dogs also have the habit of hibernating during the winter.

          Have you heard tales of cunning foxes and cruel wolves? Wolves and foxes are part of many stories, legends and myths.

          Somehow, across the world, most cultures have fascinating folk tales of these animals.

          They are popular among us, maybe, because of their smartness and unpredictable nature. In western and Persian folklore, they are depicted as symbols of cunning and trickery. This is, in part, due to their ability to evade hunters.

          In fairy tales such as Little Red Riding Hood, wolves are presented as crafty animals that are looking for opportunities to trick others. They try to lure unsuspecting children and adults to their death. There are also legends involving wolves adopting human babies and bringing them up as wolves. Do you remember The Jungle Book, in which Mowgli is cared for by wolves?

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          Have you ever wondered when Man started befriending the dog, and keeping it a pet at home? Maybe dogs were not pets at all in the beginning. They had other utilities. The first species to be domesticated was the dog, and it has been selectively bred over millennia for its varied behaviours, sensory capabilities, and physical attributes. From huge Great Danes to tiny Chihuahuas, there are thousands of dog breeds today.

          The first dog befriended by Man was, probably, a grey wolf. The dingoes of Australia are domesticated wolves. Today, there are dingoes roaming about in large areas of the wild in Australia. They are the largest land predator in Australis, and are considered apex predators an apex predator is an animal that is at the top of the food chain.

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          The two most carnivorous dogs are the African wild dog and the dingo. We know that dogs love feasting on meat. Some domestic varieties relish a mixed diet of vegetarian and non-vegetarian food.

          The teeth of the African wild dog are particularly large and sharp. They move about in packs of about 20 members and hunt down large mammals. However, these animals are on the verge of extinction. They are found mainly in one of the Tanzanian wildlife reserves, and are only about 5000 in number. These animals are the most efficient pack hunters.

          The dingo is found in Australia. Although, they are carnivorous, they are not as efficient as the African wild dog. Large red kangaroos, birds, fish and reptiles are their favourite prey.

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          Three species of jackals have been identified. They are the black-backed jackal, the golden jackal, and the side-striped jackal.

          All three species have similar body size. Usually, that measure up to the size of domestic dogs. They grow to 70 to85 centimetres shoulder to rump, with a tail length of about 25cm. According to the Animal Diversity Web, they stand about 40 cm at the shoulder, and weigh 5 to 12 kilograms.

          The black-backed jackal is called so because it has black hair running from the back of the neck to the tail. The rest of the body is reddish-brown or ginger and the chest is white. There are white stripes and black side stripes running from elbow to hip of the side-striped jackals. The golden jackal has a coat that is usually yellow to pale gold and brown-tipped. However, the colour of these jackals can vary with the season and region.

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         Jackals and coyotes are scavengers. They are opportunistic mammals, preying on small to medium sized animals. Both of they are omnivorous animals that enjoy a mixed diet. They have long legs and carved canine teeth that are suitable for hunting small animals. However, there are some differences between the two.

         Jackals are active at dusk and dawn. Occasionally, they travel in small packs to scavenge a carcass; however, they prefer to work either alone or in pairs. While these animals are found primarily in Africa, their presence is recorded in other parts of the world as well.

         The coyote, on the other hand, is native to North America. Compared to their close relatives, the grey wolves, coyotes are smaller and lighter. The coyote is sometimes called American jackal by zoologists, because it fulfills the same role that the golden jackal of Europe and Asia does. Coyotes are smarter than jackals as they can adapt to human environments. Coyotes too can hunt in packs, alone or in pairs.

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          If you see a fox on your way, there is a high likelihood that you will mistake it for a dog. There are more similarities than differences in the physical traits and characteristics among various members of the dog family.

          Among the canids, dogs are the weakest. They have shorter and weaker jaw muscles than others such as wolves, coyotes, jackals and foxes. Dogs and foxes have thinner legs than wolves.

          Dogs have the most varied eye colours. They may have, depending on their breed, white, blue, brown and yellow shaded eyes. Wolves, on the other hand, have small eyes with varying shades of yellow colour. Coyotes, jackals and foxes have yellow or brown eyes.

          In the case of paws, most Canidea family members have similar shape. All members have the same tail pattern. However, across species, the length of the tail may vary.

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          The tallest wild member in the dog family is the maned wolf. The animal has a height of 90 centimetres up to its shoulder. The head to body length of a maned wolf is about 100 centimetres. The tail will add another 45cm to the body length. The species has large and long ears, of about 17.8 centimetres.

          In fact, the animal is not a wolf, even though it is called a wolf. It is not a fox either. The maned wolf is a different species altogether. It is commonly found in the open grasslands of South America. Scientists believe that its height is an adaptation to the tall grass in the region.

          The maned wolf has certain similarities to the red fox. It is famous for the distinctive odour of its territory markings, which has earned it a nickname, skunk wolf.

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          Have you heard the story of the fox who tried hard to get a taste of grapes? Although we do not have any conclusion evidence to suggest that foxes have a craving for grapes, we know for sure that they enjoy both vegetarian and non-vegetarian food.

          Their diet is made up of insects, birds, rats and hares, and can include eggs and plants too. Foxes that live near water bodies enjoy fish and crabs as well. Most species of fox consume about one kilogram of food every day.

          Sometimes, they raid places where humans reside, and eat from the trash they have dumped. At times, they eat a lot so that they can rest and relax for a day or two. They have the habit of burying excess food for consumption later, usually under dry leaves, snow, or loose soil.

          Foxes have the habit of using the pouncing technique to catch their prey. They crouch down to camouflage themselves in the terrain. Then using their hind legs, they leap with great force to land on top of their prey, thus trapping it.

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          The members of the Canidae family differ in their sizes and appearances. Some breeds of domestic dogs can be bigger than a pony. Dog breeds like the Saint Bernard and the Great Dane are examples. However, the largest species in the family is the grey wolf.

          An adult grey wolf measure between 105 and 106 centimetres in length, and 80 and 85 centimetres in shoulder height. Its tail is 30 to 50 centimetres ling. The grey wolf weighs about 30 to 40 kgs. While male members are heavier, the female will typically be lighter, and weigh 2.3 – 4.5 kg less than males. Other canids will have slight variation in weight from the wolves.

          The smallest member of the Canidae family is the fennec fox. It has a height of only 24 centimetres. The weight of the animal is a paltry 1 kg.

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          If you think that a huge animal like the elephant should have at least a relative at least half its size, you are wrong! The closest kin of the tusker is a puny-sized animal called the rock hyrax. Our amazement will see no bounds when we learn that this animal does not weigh more than four kilograms! The rock hyrax is a small, furry herbivore native to Africa and the Middle East.

          Although hyraxes are tiny in comparison, there are a few physical traits that are share with the elephant. A rock hyrax has little tusks that are similar to those of the elephant. They grow from their incisor teeth. Most mammals with tusks develop them from their canine teeth. These animals have flattened nails on the tips of their digits too. The manatee also shares a common ancestry with the elephant. There was another relative called Tethytheria, which died out more than 50 million years ago.

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          Have you ever thought about how an enormous animal like the elephant manage its weight and size? The animal’s body has developed certain mechanisms to cope with them. If you have observed a dog or a goat, you will see that their legs are positioned at an angle. However, an elephant’s legs are like pillars. They are in an almost vertical position under their huge body. Due to this arrangement, the animal’s heavy skeleton and internal organs get a strong support.

          The skull of an elephant is special too. There are several cavities in the skull resembling a honey-comb. These hollow cavities make the skull lighter, yet strong enough to carry the weight of the trunk. Do you know that the trunk of an elephant can carry weights as heavy as 200 kilograms?

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          Have you seen an elephant race? In some countries such as Thailand, in order to attract tourists, activities like elephant races and elephant football matches are organized.

          Since such sports are cruel, there is a rising awareness worldwide regarding the need to handle animals in captivity with respect and consideration.

          In fact, elephants cannot run! All an elephant can manage to do is to walk. There are two gaits possible for an elephant: a walk and a faster gait, which is similar to running.

          When they are on the faster gait, they can reach speeds up to 49 km/h!

          At this speed, the elephant gives the impression that it is into a gallop, much like a horse.

          However, elephants cannot trot, jump or gallop. They are great swimmers, though!

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          Elephants are magnificent wild animals. Hundreds of elephants are being hunted down every year across the globe for their tusks. Ivory from elephant tusks is more valuable than gold today. The ivory trade became a serious threat to elephants in the 1970s.

          Thousands of these animals are attached by poachers using automatic weapons, motorized vehicles and airplanes. In 1990, the concern over the decline of the elephant population led to the banning of the ivory trade world over.

          However, though the ban brought about a temporary decrease in poaching, the illegal hunting of these animals has increased dramatically in the last 10 years or so.

          This is primarily due to the rapid development of the traditionally ivory-consuming nations, particularly China.

        How many kilograms of food do you consume a day? However hard you try, it will not be more than three kilograms. Do you know how much as elephant consumes a day? Compared to other animals, an elephant has a huge body frame. Therefore, elephants have to eat and drink proportionate to the size of its body.

        Do you know that an elephant consumes about 180 kg of food each day? It spends about 18 hours just eating. Elephants are herbivores and feed on grasses, tree foliage, and bark, twigs and other vegetation. African elephants largely prefer tree leaves, bark, and branches, Asian elephants, on the other hand, shrubs, in addition to juicy leaves and fruit.

        These animals need to drink a lot of water too. An elephant consumes about 190 litres of water a day. That is how much water a standard bathtub can hold!

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        Have you ever gone close to an elephant? The most intimidating aspect of an elephant is its size. An enormous tusker is an awe-inspiring sight. While the Asian elephant is big, the African bush elephant is bigger.

        The most obvious difference between the African and the Asian elephants is the size of their ears. The African’s ears are twice as big as those of the Asian. There is difference in the structure of the chewing surface of the teeth too. While the teeth of the Asian elephant have close narrow loops, the African elephants have wider, diamond shaped surfaces.

        There are four toes on an Asian elephant’s hind foot, while the African has only three. There are more folds or rings in the African elephant’s trunk. Its trunk has two fingers at its tip. The Asian counterpart has only one finger at the end of the trunk. Another significant difference between these animals is that while among the Asian elephants the females do not tusks, the female African elephant has long tusks!

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        Although elephants are the biggest land animals, there is variation among the species in terms of their size and weight.

        The African bush elephants are largest in the Elephantidea family. The males of these species are about 3.2 metres tall at their shoulder. They weigh up to 6 tonnes. Male Asian elephants, on the other hand, grow up to 2.75metres at their shoulder. They are much lighter than African bush elephants, with a weight about 5 tonnes. The smallest elephant species is the African forest elephants. They grow to a height of about 2.2 metres and weights between 2-5 tonnes.

        There are differences in physical features between the male and the female elephants. Male African elephants are typically 23% taller than females, whereas male Asian elephants are only around 15% taller than females. There are about 326 to 351 bones in an elephant’s body.

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        There will be hardly anyone who does not know the answer to this question. The largest living land animal is none other than the elephant. Usually two kinds of elephants are identified in terms of their location: the Asian, and the African variety. Of the African bush elephants, with their huge ears and longer tusks, are bigger than their Asian counterparts. These animals are known for their physical features and great strength. They live long, and possess complex herd behavior.

        These animals belong to the family Elephantidae. There are three species identified among elephants: the African bush elephant and the Asian elephant. They play a major role in nature and therefore are considered keystone species due to their impact on nature.

        In Asia, these animals are domesticated for various hard tasks. In times gone by, they played a key role in wars. Today, these majestic animals are exploited by Man for entertainment, and are put on display in zoos.

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        It has been a perennial quest of Man to know where he came from. While the theory of evolution gave him clues as to who his closest relatives are. Great apes are much like us, sharing great genetic resemblance. In fact, bonobos share 98.5% of the human DNA. This is the reason why they possess very human-like qualities too.

        Bonobos are profoundly intelligent and possess deep emotional capacity. It is reported that bonobos have picked up many important features of human culture while in captivity. Most of this was accomplished through their ability to observe, and assimilate ideas.

        They are intelligent enough to learn how to   communicate, use tools and play music. In a case reported, a female bonobo tried her hand at driving a golf cart, though a short while later, it crashes on to a free!

        No doubt, a bonobo is very much like a human.

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          As its name suggests, the pygmy chimpanzees is not as big as the common chimpanzee. As is the common feature among all primates, the adult female bonobo is somewhat smaller than the adult male. While the male is about 35 to 60 kilograms, the female is only 30 kilograms. The length of a bonobo from nose to rump when it is on all fours is 70 to 85 cm. However, when standing upright, these animals can reach a height of about 115 cm. The head of a bonobo is relatively smaller than that of the common chimpanzee. This is mainly due to the less prominent ridges it has over its eyes.

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        Bonobo are an endangered species. Due to their size, they are also known as the pygmy chimpanzees, dwarf or gracile chimpanzees. Once, scientists thought that they were a sub-species of chimpanzees. However, today, we know that they are a distinct species. Very often, both bonobos and common chimpanzees are collectively known by the generalized term chimpanzees.

        Bonobo have distinct physical features. They have relatively long legs, pink lips, and a dark face and tail-tufts as they reach their adulthood.

        These apes have parted long hair on their heads. When it comes to similarities with humans, the bonobos are as close as the chimpanzees!

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      Have you observed your pet cat? Cats are generally smart animals; the smartest among them is the leopard.

      In comparison with the tiger and the lion, the leopard is smaller and less fierce. However, they have the ability to adapt to the conditions in the wild better than other cats. Leopards are found in varied locations from the deserts of southern Africa, to the boreal forests of Russia, and even the busting suburbs of Mumbai.

      Leopards are known for their agility. They can climb trees with skill and grace. The langur monkey is a favourite food for the Indian leopard. In Africa, leopards face the threat of lions, who are lazy to hunt, and therefore, steal the food of the leopards,

      Although leopards are smaller than the tiger or the lion, they are brighter than both of them, and are gracefully proportioned. These cats have beautiful rosettes of black spots on their yellowish fur coat. Another characteristic feature of the animal is its cylindrical tail.

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      Expect that they both belong to the same family, and that they both are called leopards, there is hardly any resemblance and close relation between a snow leopard and a clouded leopard.

      While both of them are found in parts of Asia, they live in diverse conditions. Mountains areas are the natural habitat of snow leopards. In order to fight the extreme cold, snow leopards grow long fur. Their fur is dark silver in colour with black markings. They move to the lower ground in order to keep warm. In summer, they rest in the shade. They have flat paws, which are designed to carry the weight of their bodies. This helps the leopard to stay steady while walking on snow.

      On the other hand, clouded leopards are mid-sized. They have very long canine teeth, which are only slightly smaller than a lion’s.

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      Unlike other members of the feline family, snow leopards live as their name suggests, in the snow. They can with stand extreme conditions in the cold, barren mountains of Central and South Asia.

      Snow leopards are found in the entire Himalayan mountain system, as well as areas in Bhutan, Nepal and the Siberian region of Russia. No other cats can live in such heights.

      A snow leopard has the longest tail among the big cats. It reaches up to one metre in length. It helps them to balance when they chase their prey. Another interesting fact about their tail is that they wrap it around their necks like a scarf while they are resting in the extreme cold weather. Since they have to roam about in barren, snow-laden lands where food is scarce, they are sometimes referred to as the ‘ghosts of the mountains’.

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      Jaguars and leopards have differing styles and body language when it comes to finding their meal, or protecting themselves. A jaguar will bravely defend itself if it is confronted by another, bigger, attacking animal.

      However, a leopard tends to be shy and will try avoiding confrontation. If a lion or hyena comes in its way, jaguars, in all probability, will stand their ground. They will attack even if the opponent is an anaconda or a large caiman. Jaguars are good swimmers too. They will spend a lot of time in water, if they find a convenient water body.

      Leopards, on the other hand, are more athletic. They can swiftly climb up to tree, and get hold of an impala for a meal. While jaguars love water, leopards will try to avoid it, although they can swim well.

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      Which is the fiercest animal? We might consider a tiger or a lion due to its size. However, in reality, jaguars have the strongest jaws in the cat family. They can break the skull of their prey with amazing force and strength.

      With their strong teeth, jaguars are able to pierce the shells of a turtle and crunch the bones of other animals with ease. Between a lion and a jaguar, the latter’s bite is twice as strong as that of the former. Only one animal is stronger than the jaguar in this aspect the hyena!

      The way the jaw muscles are arranged in jaguar’s mouth is the reason for the strength of its bites. Other cats do not have such powerfully packed muscles and that gives an edge to the jaguar. With such strong jaws, the cat can bite through the skulls of any animal with ease and pierce the thick hide of a crocodile or a caiman.

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      Although the jaguar and leopard look very similar to each other, they are two different animals. Both cats are spotted; however, if we examine them carefully, we can understand that the way the spots are arranged varies. A close look will reveal that the ring of spots of the jaguar, known as rosettes, have another spot inside.

      However, leopards do not have these. While the jaguar’s tail is shorter, the leopard’s is longer. There is a difference in size too. While both animals are smaller than lions and tigers, a jaguar is slightly larger in South America. Leopards are aplenty in Africa and Asia.

      It is not very common to see a fight between the two biggest cats. Moreover, in such an event, who is likely to win is dependent several factors. In terms of size, bite force, brain size and intelligence, the tiger is superior to the lion. Therefore, on paper, it is highly likely that the tiger wins. The teeth of a tiger are exceptionally strong and are the longest among all animals. Therefore, its bite force is higher than a lion’s.

      Tiger are heavier than lions and can beat them in power. The social nature of lions is another factor. Lions hunt in prides and may not be a force to reckon with when alone. It needs the support of the other members of its pride. The group mentality might work to the advantage of the tiger, which is a solitary animal. It needs no help to hunt and take care of its well-being. Therefore, the tiger is better equipped to take on the lion.

      However, on a given day, anything may happen. Better fighting skills may work in favour of the lion and it may beat the tiger after a tough duel.

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      It is highly unlikely to see cats living and hunting in groups because they are not social animals. However, this does not hold true in the case of the lion. The lion is a family animal. Lions live in communities, and depend on one another for sustenance.

      A community of lions is known as a pride. Normally, there will be 15 or more lions in a pride. However, a pride can be as small as three and as big as 40 in memberships. They hunt for food, bring up their litter and defend their territory as a community.

      Do you know that females in the pride do most of the hunting? They take up the responsibility of raising cubs too. However, when there is a kill, the male lions take the ‘lion’s share and the lionesses and cubs get only the remainder.

      Tigers, however, prefer to live alone, although they do sometimes socialize. Both lions and tigers prey on humans. However, we have more man-eating tigers than lions!

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      Do you know that the tiger is the largest feline species in the world? Native to the mainland of Asia, this big cat reaches a body length of up to 3.38 metres. The biggest cats in the feline family, they weigh up to 420 kg in their natural habitat. The Siberian tiger, a subspecies, can reach up to 320 kg in weight and 3.3 metres in length!

      Lions come only second in size. However, they have an exceptional ability to use their mane to look bigger than they really are. During confrontations, the lion uses this strategy to frighten off its opponent. A normal adult lion male weighs up to 250 kg, and a female, up to 182 kg. From head to body, lions have a length of 1.4 to 1.9 metres, and their measure up to 1 metre. African lions tend to be bigger than their Asiatic cousins.

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      Cheetahs are big; and therefore, many include them in the ‘big cats’ category. However, experts are of the opinion that they cannot be considered big cats, as their body is very different from that of other cats. Unlike lions and tigers, cheetahs cannot let out a deafening roar. All they can manage to produce are shrilly yelps that sound much like the meows of a cat.

      Leopards and lions are also found in the grasslands where cheetahs live. While the big cats hunt during night also, cheetahs prefer to hunt during the day alone in order to avoid confronting fierce rivals during night. Leopards and lions are stronger than cheetahs, and competing with them for food is not easy for these cats.

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      If there was a race among the big cats, the indisputable winner would be the cheetah. The cheetah, however, is the fastest animal not just among the cat family alone. There is hardly any animal in the entire world that can beat the cheetah in a race.

      When running at full steam, the cheetah can reach speeds of about 96.6 km per hour in just three seconds. In a few strides, the animal can reach speeds of more than 95 km/h. The most modern cars will struggle to match such power. However, the animal can run only for short distances. The cheetah will soon run out of steam, and give up eventually after about 180 meters if the prey seems to be getting away.

      The big cat has extraordinary manoeuvrability skills, and this gives the animal an advantage over the rest of the cat family. A beautiful spotted coat is the cheetah’s distinguishing characteristic among other cats. The back tear marks on the sides of its face also make the animal distinct from others.

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      Do you like the company if a cat? Its soft fur coat, sweet meow and purr will endear it to anyone and that is why the cat is one of Man’ favourite pets.

      Do you know that other than the domestic cat, there are many species that belong to the cat family such as tiger and cougars? There are about 37 species in the cat family, which is known as Felidae. Five of them, namely the tiger, lion, jaguar, leopard and snow leopard are considered ‘the big cats’.

      Sometimes other cats like the cougar, clouded leopard, sunda clouded leopard and cheetah are also referred to as ‘big cats’. Each of these species has certain qualities that make it different from the rest. For example, the tiger is the strongest among them and the cheetah is the fastest.

      Ocelots and lynxes that are endangered belong to the medium sized cats. They are too big to be called wild cats, and too small to be counted among the big cats. Some species which resemble the domestic cat are found in the wild too. The fishing cat, flat-headed cat, and the black-footed cat are some among them.