Critter Science
The Science of Animals
The bobcat is often confused with a lynx due to the similarity of size and the telltale ear tufts. Bobcats and lynx live in different locales though and the lynx is larger, shaggier, had larger feet, faded spots, and are more gray in color; as opposed to the reddish color
The ringtail cat looks a little like a cat and a fox merged together. However, they aren’t cats and they aren’t foxes. They are more closely related to raccoons. As they are Arizona’s state animal, they are a protected species. So, no touchy! These cute little critters can be
The mountain lion is also known as the panther, cougar, puma, catamount, and gato monte (cat of the mountain). These critters have so many names because of their huge demographic. They live from Canada, down to Argentina. Pumas living in warm or humid climates are
The margay is a critter from the feline family and whom resides in Mexico, Central, and South America (East of the Andes mountains); primarily in the Amazon, Uruguay, Argentina, Brazil, and Belize. The margay enjoys life in rainforests, evergreen forests, and
The weasel-like jaguarundi is the topic of today. They have a long slender body, a small flattened head with short rounded ears, and short legs. They are closely related to the puma and are sometimes called Leoncillo “Little lion”, Otter cat, Yaguarundi, Gato Moro, Onza, and
The jaguar is only found in the Americas. Their range extends from as far north as Arizona and as far south as northern Argentina. They prefer rainforest environments but can also be found in other forested regions. They are recognized by their orange or yellow coats
Second in size only to the tiger, the lion is the largest cat in Africa! They can be found in savannas, deserts, plains, grasslands, dense bush, and woodlands. They have been abundantly featured in books, movies, and
The leopard sneaks and preys throughout deserts & semi-desert regions, arid regions, mountainous environments, savanna grasslands, rainforests, and occasionally even urban areas. The leopard is a very elusive cat that hunts
Inhabiting forests, rocky hillsides, marshes, scrublands, and agricultural lands we have the genet. These nocturnal (active at night), catlike creatures inhabit a wide range in Africa and are
Noted as the deadliest cat in the world, with a kill ratio of 60%, we have the Gyra aka the black-footed cat. This cute little critter’s hunting prowess bests even lions and cheetahs by a whopping 40%! They are also
The serval is medium-sized Central and South African cat that lives in wetlands, grasslands, and other environments. These wild cats are sometimes kept as pets by exotic pet owners. They are not like a normal house cat though and are best left to experts
The fastest land animal on earth award goes to the cheetah! The cheetah hails from Africa and can be found mostly on the Savannah plains. They aren’t built for fighting, but rather for running. When running flat out, nothing
The ocelot is a secretive, beautiful cat that roams the night in search of food and the occasional mate. Like many other cats, the ocelot is solitary and is only ever found with another cat during mating, or when the female
The tiger is the largest species of the cat family. Even though they are large and powerful, they are also very stealthy. You’ll never know you’re being stalked