Big Cats Trivia Quiz

Answer: Tiger

Panthera tigris is the tiger, the largest of the big cats. Tigers could once be found across larger portions of Asia, but their range has shrunk as several subspecies have gone extinct. The two remaining subspecies are Panthera tigris tigris (found in South Asia and Siberia) and Panthera tigris sondaica (found on Sumatra). Male tigers are generally significantly larger (200-660 pounds) than females (140-370 pounds). Tigers are known for their distinctive vertical stripes.

Answer: Cougar

The cougar has several other names by which it is sometimes known including mountain lion, panther, and puma. It can be found throughout much of the western hemisphere from southern Canada south. The cougar (Puma concolor) is an obligate carnivore (it must eat meat to survive). Fortunately, a hugh range animal life is suitable for its diet.

As adults, male cougars (150 pounds on average) tend to be somewhat larger than female cougars (120 pounds on average).

Answer: Sunda Clouded Leopard

The islands of Borneo and Sumatra in Indonesia are the home of the Sunda clouded leopard. Its weight as an adult is 26-57 pounds, though its tail can reach nearly half of the length its body. Also known as the Indonesian clouded leopard, its scientific name is Neofelis diardi. Deforestation of its habitat is one of the significant threats to the Sunda clouded leopard. On Sumatra, the habitat of the Sunda clouded leopard overlaps with that of the tiger.

Answer: Jaguar (Panthera onca)

The jaguar (Panthera onca) can be found in large parts of Latin America and the southwestern part of the United States. Adult male jaguars (120-210 pounds) tend to be about 10-20% larger than female jaguars. The dark colored rosettes on its fur give the jaguar a distinctive appearance.

The jaguar is most active during nighttime hours and is skilled in climbing trees. The jaw and teeth of the jaguar can deliver an extremely powerful bite through bone.

Answer: Lynx

Lynx is a collective name for four species (Lynx canadensis, Lynx lynx, Lynx pardinus, and Lynx rufus) that can be found across three continents: North America, Europe and Asia. Lynxes are considered mid-sized cats with a weight in pounds generally in the double digits. Lynxes tend to be solitary but sometimes hunt in small groups.

The name lynx is a reference to the brightness of the animal's reflective eyes.

Answer: Cheetah

Fastest of all land animals, the cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) can reach speeds of 80 miles per hour for short bursts. Adult cheetahs usually weigh 40-140 pounds. While most cheetahs live in Africa, one part of their population lives in Iran. Cheetahs are most active during daylight hours. Cheetahs are known for the large number of black spots on their fur.

They are more social than many other cat species.

Answer: Clouded Leopard

The "clouded" pattern of spots and stripes on its fur give the clouded leopard (Neofelis nebulosa) its common name. It lives in dense forests found in South Asia, Southeast Asia, and southern China. Adult clouded leopards weigh between 25 and 50 pounds. Useful in its habitat, the clouded leopard has the ability to climb trees.

It is most active at nighttime and is largely solitary other than for purposes of mating and raising young.

Answer: Ounce

The ounce (Panthera uncia) is also known as the snow leopard. It is found in South Asia and Central Asia, often in mountain ranges. The ounce is both active as a hunter and willing to eat carrion. The adult ounce weighs between 50 and 120 pounds, with males somewhat larger than females.

They are most active close to sunrise and sunset. Poaching is a significant threat of the survival of the ounce.

Answer: Lion

One of the most distinctive features differentiating male lions (Panthera leo) from female lions is the presence of the mane (long fur surrounding the face) in the former. In the 21st century, lions can be found in scattered locations in Sub Saharan Africa with one small population in Western India. Though known as the "king of the jungle", lions are usually found in grasslands and savannas. Male lions tend to be somewhat larger (over 400 pounds) than female lions (under 300 pounds).

Answer: Leopard

While the leopard (Panthera pardus) can be found across Sub Saharan Africa, its range in Asia is more fragmented through Western Asia, Central Asia, South Asia, and European Russia. Like many of the big cat species, adult males (80-200 pounds) tend to outweigh adult females (60-130 pounds).

The so-called black panthers are leopards with a high concentration of melanin in their fur. More commonly a spotted pattern can be observed in the fur of leopards. Leopards tend to be more active during nighttime hours and rest during daylight.