Classification:
Kingdom: Animalia
Subkingdom: Bilateria
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Class: Mammalia
Subclass: Eutheria
Order: Carnivora
Family: Felidae (cats)
Genera: Fells (small cats, twenty-eight species);
Panthera (large cats, seven species); Acinonyx
(cheetah); Neofelis (clouded leopard)
Geographical location: Native to all land areas of
the world except Antarctica, Australia, and
some oceanic islands
Habitat: Forests and grassy plains
Gestational period: Large cats, 3 to 3.5 months;
smaller cats, approximately 2 months
Life span: Potential longevity is probably fifteen
years for most species; some individuals have
lived over thirty years
Special anatomy: Large eyes with excellent night
vision; jaws adapted to seizing and gripping
prey teeth designed for tearing and slicing
flesh