Cats of the world: a gallery of amazing feline images

There are around 40 extant species of cat around the globe, ranging from the tiny rusty-spotted cat to the well-known big cats (including tigers, lions, jaguars and leopards).

By Megan Shersby

Published: Monday, 31 July 2023 at 13:15 PM

Cats are one of the most recognisable groups of mammals, and have even made their way into our homes.

The extant Felidae family is split into two subfamilies, Pantherinae (big cats: tiger, lion, jaguar, leopard, snow leopard, clouded leopard and Sunda clouded leopard) and Felinae (all other species). The exact number of species is unclear, as some subspecies are occasionally referred to as distinct species (such as the Iriomote cat), but there are roughly 40 species described by scientists.

The BBC One series Big Cats uncovered the secret lives of some of these remarkable felines, including many which are very elusive – snow leopards and Pallas’s cats are respectively known as ‘ghosts of the mountain’ and ‘small ghosts of the grasslands’.

 

Tigers are the biggest of all the cats - from the giant siberian tigers that roam the frozen boreal forest of russia, to the secretive ‘swamp’ tigers of the Indian Sundarbans that bathe in seawater and patrol muddy shores.
Tigers are the biggest of all the cats – from the giant siberian tigers that roam the frozen boreal forest of russia, to the secretive ‘swamp’ tigers of the Indian Sundarbans that bathe in seawater and patrol muddy shores. @ Paul Williams

 

Lions are iconic animals… but they’re strange too. They are the only cat to live in groups. In numbers they find the strength and cooperation to hunt the most formidable prey, including bison, giraffe, and even elephants.
Lions are iconic animals… but they’re strange too. They are the only cat to live in groups. In numbers they find the strength and cooperation to hunt the most formidable prey, including bison, giraffe, and even elephants. @ Paul Williams

 

Pallas’s cat thrive in the remote grasslands of the Mongolian steppe. They are perfectly adapted to hide in this open landscape - they have a wide head, low ears, and can flatten their bodies to look like a rock when hunting.
Pallas’s cat thrive in the remote grasslands of the Mongolian steppe. They are perfectly adapted to hide in this open landscape – they have a wide head, low ears, and can flatten their bodies to look like a rock when hunting. @ Paul Williams

 

Fishing cats are suited to a life in the wetlands of Asia. Beneath a long outer coat they have a short layer of insulating fur that acts like a wetsuit - and they have partially webbed feet.
Fishing cats are suited to a life in the wetlands of Asia. Beneath a long outer coat they have a short layer of insulating fur that acts like a wetsuit – and they have partially webbed feet. @ Paul Williams

 

Pumas are the widest ranging mammal in the Americas, thanks to their extraordinary adaptability and an eye for opportunity. On the southern tip of Patagonia, they even stalk the most unlikely of prey… penguins!
Pumas are the widest ranging mammal in the Americas, thanks to their extraordinary adaptability and an eye for opportunity. On the southern tip of Patagonia, they even stalk the most unlikely of prey… penguins! @ Paul Williams

 

Jaguar are the largest cat in the Americas and have a powerful bite to match. For their size, they are the strongest of any cat, allowing them to dispatch monstrous prey - even caiman crocodiles.
Jaguar are the largest cat in the Americas and have a powerful bite to match. For their size, they are the strongest of any cat, allowing them to dispatch monstrous prey – even caiman crocodiles. @ Paul Williams

 

Margay’s climb high in the tree tops of central America where they are known as the monkey cat.
Margay’s climb high in the tree tops of central America where they are known as the monkey cat. @ Paul Williams

 

Ocelots are one of the most common cats in central America, but because of their remarkable camouflage, they are rarely seen.
Ocelots are one of the most common cats in central America, but because of their remarkable camouflage, they are rarely seen. @ Paul Williams

 

Jaguarundi are also known as the otter cat because of their physical similarity to the aquatic mammals. This small cat is found from Texas to Argentina, and it particularly thrives in dense rainforests where it must avoid the much bigger jaguar that is known to be one of their predators.
Jaguarundi are also known as the otter cat because of their physical similarity to the aquatic mammals. This small cat is found from Texas to Argentina, and it particularly thrives in dense rainforests where it must avoid the much bigger jaguar that is known to be one of their predators. @ Paul Williams

 

Snow leopards live in the Indian Himalayas, the world’s highest living cat. Known as the ‘ghost of the mountain’ they roam huge territories, where food is scarce, and finding a mate is even harder.
Snow leopards live in the Indian Himalayas, the world’s highest living cat. Known as the ‘ghost of the mountain’ they roam huge territories, where food is scarce, and finding a mate is even harder. @ BBC

 

Rusty spotted cats live in Sri Lanka. This miniature predator, is the world’s smallest cat… weighing little more than a kilo, 200 times lighter than a lion!
Rusty spotted cats live in Sri Lanka. This miniature predator, is the world’s smallest cat… weighing little more than a kilo, 200 times lighter than a lion! @ BBC

 

Canada lynx are the most northerly cats. Thick fur, and huge snowshoe-like feet help them to deal with deep snow and arctic conditions, and enable them to keep up with their equally adept prey - the snowshoe hare.
Canada lynx are the most northerly cats. Thick fur, and huge snowshoe-like feet help them to deal with deep snow and arctic conditions, and enable them to keep up with their equally adept prey – the snowshoe hare. © BBC

 

Cheetahs are not just the fastest cats… they’re the fastest animals on land! They have been recorded running at speeds as fast as 96 kmph. © BBC
Cheetahs are not just the fastest cats… they’re the fastest animals on land! They have been recorded running at speeds as fast as 96 kmph. © BBC

 

Sand cats are the only cat adapted primarily to desert life. They live in the deserts of North Africa, the Middle East and Central Asia. They are rarely seen and only recently has a scientific study captured the first images of sand cat kittens in the wild. © BBC
Sand cats are the only cat adapted primarily to desert life. They live in the deserts of North Africa, the Middle East and Central Asia. They are rarely seen and only recently has a scientific study captured the first images of sand cat kittens in the wild. © BBC

 

Bobcats are the most widespread cat in the United States, and are named for their stunted tail. They usually hunt small mammals in the forest. © BBC
Bobcats are the most widespread cat in the United States, and are named for their stunted tail. They usually hunt small mammals in the forest. © BBC

 

Iberian lynx once thrived all across the Iberian peninsula but mass extermination of their primary prey - the european rabbit, by mixamatosis, had a devastating effect on this enigmatic cat. © BBC
Iberian lynx once thrived all across the Iberian peninsula but mass extermination of their primary prey – the european rabbit, by mixamatosis, had a devastating effect on this enigmatic cat. © BBC

 

Leopards thrive in more environments than any other wild cat. From the deserts of Southern Africa, to the Boreal forests of Russia, even the bustling suburbs of Mumbai in India.
Leopards thrive in more environments than any other wild cat. From the deserts of Southern Africa, to the Boreal forests of Russia, even the bustling suburbs of Mumbai in India. @ Paul Williams

 

A serval, South Africa. Proportionally, they have the longest ears and legs of any cat, and are adapted to detect and leap for prey amongst tall savanna grass.
A serval, South Africa. Proportionally, they have the longest ears and legs of any cat, and are adapted to detect and leap for prey amongst tall savanna grass. @ Paul Williams

 

Clouded leopards are one of the most agile climbers in the cat family - with huge feet to grip, and an exceptionally long tail to help with balance. Their stronghold is the forests of Northern India.
Clouded leopards are one of the most agile climbers in the cat family – with huge feet to grip, and an exceptionally long tail to help with balance. Their stronghold is the forests of Northern India. @ Paul Williams 

 

The African wildcat is one of the most widespread of all cats, ranging from the middle east to the southern tip of Africa, and is the ancestor of the domestic cat. © BBC
The African wildcat is one of the most widespread of all cats, ranging from the middle east to the southern tip of Africa, and is the ancestor of the domestic cat. © BBC

 

 

 

Black-footed cats are Africa’s smallest cat, and the deadliest of the entire cat family - with a 60% hunting success rate. Anything that moves is a potential meal, from locusts to birds and gerbils.
Black-footed cats are Africa’s smallest cat, and the deadliest of the entire cat family – with a 60% hunting success rate. Anything that moves is a potential meal, from locusts to birds and gerbils. @ Paul Williams
Caracals are found across much of southern and central Africa. They have long powerful legs that enable them to leap as high as 10 feet, and hunt birds on the wing. © BBC
Caracals are found across much of southern and central Africa. They have long powerful legs that enable them to leap as high as 10 feet, and hunt birds on the wing. © BBC

About the photographer

Paul Williams is a TV producer and wildlife photographer, based at the BBC Natural History Unit. View more of his photos on Instagram.