Wild Cats of India: Meet the Big and Small Cat Species (With Photos)
From the tiger of Madhya Pradesh’s forests to the snow leopard of the Himalayas, India is home to about 15 wild cat species, according to many wildlife lists (the exact count varies by source). Five are “big cats”. Here are six that every nature lover should know.
1. Bengal tiger
India’s national animal and the largest cat found in the country. Madhya Pradesh, often called the “Tiger State”, has famous tiger forests such as Kanha and Bandhavgarh.
2. Asiatic lion
Smaller than its African cousin, the Asiatic lion lives in the wild only in the Gir forest region of Gujarat. Conservation work has helped its numbers grow.
3. Indian leopard
The most adaptable big cat. Leopards live in forests, hills and even near villages and cities, and are found across India.
4. Snow leopard
A shy cat of the high Himalayas, in places such as Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Sikkim. Its thick fur and long tail help it survive in the cold.
5. Fishing cat
A medium-sized cat that lives near wetlands, marshes and mangroves and can swim well. It hunts fish and other water animals.
6. Jungle cat
One of the most common wild cats in India, found in grasslands, scrub and near farmland. It is slim, long-legged and hunts rodents and birds.
More cats you may not know
- Clouded leopard: a tree-loving big cat of the forests of north-east India.
- Rusty-spotted cat: one of the world’s smallest wild cats, found in India and Sri Lanka.
- Leopard cat, marbled cat, Asiatic golden cat, caracal and Pallas’s cat also live in India’s varied habitats.
- Cheetahs were reintroduced to Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh in 2022 after being extinct in India.
How to enjoy wildlife responsibly
- Visit through official parks and licensed guides.
- Keep your distance, stay quiet and never feed or disturb animals.
- Do not litter. Carry your waste out with you.
- If you meet a wild animal outside a park, keep away and inform the forest department helpline.
