{"id":5458,"date":"2020-06-23T07:36:37","date_gmt":"2020-06-23T07:36:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pugdundeesafaris.com\/blog\/?p=5458"},"modified":"2026-10-21T18:35:29","modified_gmt":"2026-10-21T13:05:29","slug":"wild-cats-of-india","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pugdundeesafaris.com\/blog\/wild-cats-of-india\/","title":{"rendered":"Wild Cats of India | Big Cats Of India | Small Cats"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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India has a great diversity of wildlife and holds a reputation for owning the highest number of wild cat species in its forest landscapes. Out of the forty species existing in the Felidae family, fifteen are found in the Indian subcontinent, making it a prime destination to witness the Wild Cats of India.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These are further classified into three different categories based on their size as \u2013 Big cats of India<\/strong>, Medium-sized cats of India<\/strong>, and Small cats of India<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let us introduce you to these 15 wild cat species and share some interesting attributes about their elusive lives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/span>Wild Cats of India \u2013 Exploring Big, Medium, and Small Feline Species<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"An\n
Illustration by: Deepa Rakshana<\/strong><\/em><\/figcaption>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

1. Royal Bengal Tiger (Panthera Tigris)<\/em><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

IUCN status- Endangered<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"A<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Undoubtedly the largest wild cat species alive on earth, the Royal Bengal Tiger is the national animal of India. The distinguished population exists in India, while a few healthy populations also thrive in small pockets in countries like Nepal, Bhutan, and Bangladesh.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As one of the most iconic Wild Cats of India, tigers are considered among the most charismatic cats in the wild. After a drastic decline during the last decade, the tiger population has recently stabilized in India. With nearly 3,000 tigers<\/strong>, India has a stronghold as an abode for this regal feline.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is heartening to know, that despite being one of the most densely populated countries in the world, India has not only managed to save tigers<\/strong> but also successfully raised their numbers. Being a flagship species, it has benefitted the conservation of other wildlife species and the protection of large forested areas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Two\n
Tiger cubs from Bandhavgarh national park<\/strong><\/figcaption>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Tigers are territorial cats<\/strong> and spend most of their time resting in caves, grasslands, mangroves, waterholes, and bamboo thickets. They prefer to hunt spotted deer<\/strong>, sambar deer, wild pigs, etc., and at times domestic cattle. Their gestation period is around 105 days and on average 2-4 cubs are born. After about 18 months to 2 years, the cubs separate from the mother and other siblings and look out for their territories. A fully grown male tiger <\/strong>can easily weigh up to 250 kg<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Best places for tiger safari in India<\/a><\/strong> \u2013 Bandhavgarh, Kanha, Tadoba, Pench, and Ranthambore National Park.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

2<\/strong>. Asiatic Lion (Panthera Leo)<\/em><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

IUCN status- Endangered<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"A<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Formerly, Asiatic Lions dwelt in the lands of the Middle East to Bengal in India. But today, they are restricted only to Gir National Park in Gujarat, with the current population pegged around 670. As one of the rare Wild Cats of India, a noticeable characteristic of Asiatic Lions is their longitudinal fold of skin running along their belly, which is absent in African Lions. Even the Asiatic males are less social and do not stay with the females unless it is mating season or when sharing their kill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Their primary diet<\/strong> comprises wild ungulates like deer, sambar, and wild pigs. <\/strong>Livestock too contributes to their favored meal. The main threat they face today is genetic inbreeding arising from a single population.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is a lot of debate among researchers in India about their origin. A few feel that lions are not indigenous to India, an interesting read on the same is \u2018Exotic Aliens\u2019<\/strong> by Valmik Thapar. But this theory is fiercely contested by many others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Best place to see lions in India<\/strong> \u2013 Gir national park in Gujarat.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

3.<\/strong> Indian Leopard (Panthera pardus)<\/em><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

IUCN status- Near Threatened<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"A<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Leopards are renowned for their unique skill set of agility and adaptation, making them one of the most successful wild cats in the world. Counted among the iconic Wild Cats of India, they are found across the country, and even in densely populated cities like Mumbai, Gurugram, Bangalore, and Mysore, where they primarily survive on stray dogs and pigs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This stealthy and elusive creature is an excellent climber<\/strong>. They have black rosettes (rose-like marking found on the fur and skin)<\/strong> marked on their body. This pattern of rosettes is unique to each individual <\/strong>and hence helps in their identification.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Leopards are opportunistic hunters built for strength, rather than speed as they are more likely to drag their kill up the tree. Their primary diet comprises deer, wild pigs, monkeys, and even domestic livestock.<\/strong> They prefer to keep a very low profile in tiger-dominated parks<\/strong><\/a>, yet successfully manage to raise cubs and hold their territories.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the last few years, there have been many records of a black panther<\/a> or melanistic leopard<\/strong> sightings in India, which is basically its colour variant. They have been frequently sighted in parks like Nagarhole, Dandeli, and Tadoba.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Best places to see leopards in India<\/strong> \u2013 Satpura<\/a>, Nagarhole, Pench, Tadoba, Jhalana, Bera, Panna, and Bandipur<\/strong> National Parks<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

4.<\/strong> Snow Leopard (Panthera uncia)<\/em><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

IUCN status- Endangered<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"A\n
Credits: Pixabay<\/figcaption>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

As the name suggests, Snow leopards are found in the high altitudes of mighty Himalayas<\/strong>. In holds three records:<\/p>\n\n\n\n