Cats on the Prowl Trivia Quiz

Answer: Africa and Asia

Considered one of the big cat species, the leopard (Panthera pardus) looks similar to the jaguar, but the two live in different regions. Although mainly associated with sub-Saharan Africa, leopards still have a presence in Asia, particularly in the Indian subcontinent.

There are also populations of leopards on the Arabian peninsula, the Caucasus region, China, Russia, Sri Lanka, and Southeast Asia.

Answer: Americas

The only true big cat species native to the Americas, the jaguar (Panthera onca) is the third largest of the big cats, after the tiger and the lion. Mainly present in South America, there are pockets of jaguar populations throughout Central America and in Mexico, and jaguars are still occasionally spotted in the southwest United States.

Answer: Asia

The largest of the big cat species, the tiger (Panthera tigris) has lost a significant part of its range within just the past one hundred years. As recently as the early 20th century, they ranged from eastern Europe across much of southern and eastern Asia, but habitat loss and hunting have greatly reduced their numbers, with a few subspecies, such as the Caspian, Javan, and Bali tigers being declared extinct. Tigers are now found in pockets of the Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia, and China, and the largest subspecies, the Siberian tiger, can be found in far east Russia.

Answer: Asia

A medium-sized cat, the clouded leopard (Neofelis nebulosa) isn't a member of the Panthera genus and thus isn't closely related to leopards. It is sometimes included in the list of big cats as the smallest member, but unlike the usual big four (tiger, lion, jaguar, and leopard), the clouded leopard cannot roar. Clouded leopards are found in southern China, southeast Asia, and pockets of the northeastern Indian subcontinent.

Answer: Africa and Asia

Another cat that sometimes is mentioned as a big cat is the cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus), although like the clouded leopard, cheetahs don't roar. Although mainly existing in Africa, the cheetah's nearest relatives are actually the cougar and the jaguarundi (not to be confused with the jaguar) of the Americas. Cheetahs may be mainly associated with Africa, but the Asiatic subspecies is still found in Iran, although it is critically endangered.

Answer: Americas

The smallest of the cats in this quiz, the ocelot (Leopardus pardalis) has a coat that somewhat resembles that of a clouded leopard, although with more spots. The ocelot can be found throughout much of Central America and the northern half of South America, as well as in pockets in Mexico and the occasional sightings in the southwestern U.S.

Answer: Africa

Slightly bigger than the ocelot, the serval (Leptailurus serval) resembles a miniature cheetah, with its long legs, small head, and spotted coat. Servals can be found throughout much of sub-Saharan Africa, with a small population being located in northwest Africa, mainly in Morocco.

Answer: Asia

The snow leopard (Panthera uncia) is another cat that sometimes is considered a big cat, but as with the clouded leopard, it doesn't roar. Snow leopards can be found at higher elevations in northern and central Asia, with the largest populations believed to be in China and Mongolia.

Answer: Americas

A cat of many names, the cougar (Puma concolor) is also called the puma, mountain lion, catamount, and panther. It is the second largest cat in the Americas, after the jaguar, and it is sometimes considered a big cat, although it doesn't roar and has more in common with the smaller cats. Cougars range from southern Canada down to nearly the southern tip of South America, although most of their populations in North America are concentrated on the west coast and in Florida, where they are known as Florida panthers.

Answer: Africa and Asia

The second largest of the big cats, the lion (Panthera leo) is considered to be a sister species to the jaguar or the leopard, depending on which study you reference. Although once widely found throughout much of Africa, lions are now found mainly in pockets of sub-Saharan Africa.

As recently as the 19th century, the Asiatic subspecies once roamed from the Caucasus to central India, but it is now only found in Gujarat, India.