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Lion, Kenya
Photograph by John Eastcott and Yva Momatiuk
Lions are threatened throughout most of their African range. But nowhere is their condition as perilous as in Kenyan Maasailand, where this large male was photographed. Lions there, which number fewer than 150, are under imminent threat of extinction from Maasai herdsmen thought to be retaliating against prides who prey on their cattle.
Big Cats Initiative
National Geographic is working to avert the extinction of lions, tigers, and other big cats with the Big Cats Initiative, a comprehensive program that supports innovative projects. Learn how you can help save these animals. -
Lionesses and Cubs
Photograph by Beverly Joubert
Three female lions and a pair of cubs rest in the grass in Botswana's Okavango Delta. Females remain with a pride for life and often have to defend their cubs from males, who will kill young lions when taking over another male's territory.
Big Cats Initiative
National Geographic is working to avert the extinction of lions, tigers, and other big cats with the Big Cats Initiative, a comprehensive program that supports innovative projects. Learn how you can help save these animals. -
Male Lions, Botswana
Photograph by Beverly Joubert
Two young male lions lie in the grass of Botswana's Okavango Delta. A pride of lions may be headed by a single male or a coalition of up to seven males who cooperatively defend the group's territory.
Big Cats Initiative
National Geographic is working to avert the extinction of lions, tigers, and other big cats with the Big Cats Initiative, a comprehensive program that supports innovative projects. Learn how you can help save these animals. -
Lioness, Botswana
Photograph by Beverly Joubert
A female lion in Botswana's Okavango Delta stretches as other members of the pride lounge nearby. Pride size can range from 2 to 18 females and cubs, all related to one another.
National Geographic is working to avert the big cats' extinction with the Big Cats Initiative, a comprehensive program that supports innovative projects with quick results for saving big cats, anti-poaching programs, projects that test new technology and more.
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Lion, Botswana
Photograph by Beverly Joubert
An adult male lion walks through grasslands in Botswana's Okavango Delta. Biologists think males evolved their impressive manes in part to provide neck protection during fights, among other reasons.
Big Cats Initiative
National Geographic is working to avert the extinction of lions, tigers, and other big cats with the Big Cats Initiative, a comprehensive program that supports innovative projects. Learn how you can help save these animals. -
Ocelot
Photograph by Annie Griffiths Belt
About twice the size of the average house cat, the ocelot has dappled fur that serves as camouflage in the jungles of South and Central America.
Big Cats Initiative
National Geographic is working to avert the extinction of lions, tigers, and other big cats with the Big Cats Initiative, a comprehensive program that supports innovative projects. Learn how you can help save these animals. -
Mountain Lion
Photograph by Jim & Jamie Dutcher
Mountain lions do not like to share their territory and are constantly on the lookout for invaders.
Big Cats Initiative
National Geographic is working to avert the extinction of lions, tigers, and other big cats with the Big Cats Initiative, a comprehensive program that supports innovative projects. Learn how you can help save these animals. -
Bengal Tiger and Cub
Photograph by Michael Nichols
A mother Bengal tiger and her cub rest in the tall grass of a meadow. Tiger cubs remain with their mothers for two to three years before dispersing to find their own territory.
Big Cats Initiative
National Geographic is working to avert the extinction of lions, tigers, and other big cats with the Big Cats Initiative, a comprehensive program that supports innovative projects. Learn how you can help save these animals. -
Cheetah
Photograph by Chris Johns
Sharp eyesight and raw speed make the cheetah a formidable hunter.
Big Cats Initiative
National Geographic is working to avert the extinction of lions, tigers, and other big cats with the Big Cats Initiative, a comprehensive program that supports innovative projects. Learn how you can help save these animals. -
Jaguar
Photograph by Joel Sartore
Jaguars, the largest of South America's big cats, once roamed much of the Americas. Today they are found in only a few remote regions.
Big Cats Initiative
National Geographic is working to avert the extinction of lions, tigers, and other big cats with the Big Cats Initiative, a comprehensive program that supports innovative projects. Learn how you can help save these animals. -
Clouded Leopard
Photograph by Peter Weimann/Animals Animals—Earth Scenes
Somewhere between the small cats, which can purr, and the big cats, which can roar, are clouded leopards. These rare cats make their home in the tropical forests of Southeast Asia.
Big Cats Initiative
National Geographic is working to avert the extinction of lions, tigers, and other big cats with the Big Cats Initiative, a comprehensive program that supports innovative projects. Learn how you can help save these animals. -
African Lion
Photograph by Chris Johns
Fiercely protective of their prides, or family units, male lions patrol a vast territory normally covering about 100 square miles (260 square kilometers).
Big Cats Initiative
National Geographic is working to avert the extinction of lions, tigers, and other big cats with the Big Cats Initiative, a comprehensive program that supports innovative projects. Learn how you can help save these animals. -
Asian Lion
Photograph by Mattias Klum
Only 200 or so Asian lions exist in the wild. A former royal reserve, India's Gir Forest, is the last home of this lion subspecies.
Big Cats Initiative
National Geographic is working to avert the extinction of lions, tigers, and other big cats with the Big Cats Initiative, a comprehensive program that supports innovative projects. Learn how you can help save these animals. -
Bobcat
Photograph by Norbert Rosing
Bobcats, named for their "bobbed" tails, have ears that resemble their feline cousin, the lynx.
Big Cats Initiative
National Geographic is working to avert the extinction of lions, tigers, and other big cats with the Big Cats Initiative, a comprehensive program that supports innovative projects. Learn how you can help save these animals. -
Lynx and Cub
Photograph by Norbert Rosing
The lynx is a solitary cat that haunts the remote northern forests of North America, Europe, and Asia. Lynx are covered with beautiful thick fur that keeps them warm during frigid winters. Their large paws are also furry and hit the ground with a spreading toe motion that makes them function as natural snowshoes.
Big Cats Initiative
National Geographic is working to avert the extinction of lions, tigers, and other big cats with the Big Cats Initiative, a comprehensive program that supports innovative projects. Learn how you can help save these animals. -
Snow Leopard
Photograph by Michael Nichols
Native to the Central Asian mountains, the snow leopard is a rare sight, with only about 6,000 left in the wild. They are hunted for their beautiful, warm fur and for their organs, which are used in traditional Chinese medicine.
Big Cats Initiative
National Geographic is working to avert the extinction of lions, tigers, and other big cats with the Big Cats Initiative, a comprehensive program that supports innovative projects. Learn how you can help save these animals. -
Cheetah Mother and Cubs
Photograph by Chris Johns
Cheetah mothers typically give birth to a litter of three cubs, all of which will stay with her for one and a half to two years before venturing off on their own. When interacting with her cubs, cheetah mothers purr, just like domestic cats.
Big Cats Initiative
National Geographic is working to avert the extinction of lions, tigers, and other big cats with the Big Cats Initiative, a comprehensive program that supports innovative projects. Learn how you can help save these animals. -
Siberian Tigers
Photograph by Michael Nichols
Of the three remaining species of tigers, Siberian tigers are the largest. While there are only 400 to 500 left in the wild, the population is considered stable, and conservation programs are introducing captive-born tigers to the wild.
Big Cats Initiative
National Geographic is working to avert the extinction of lions, tigers, and other big cats with the Big Cats Initiative, a comprehensive program that supports innovative projects. Learn how you can help save these animals.
Learn More About Big Cats
Big Cat Features
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Big Cats Initiative
National Geographic is funding a variety of conservation projects across the lions’ range. You can be part of this important work by applying for a grant to help big cats.
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Big Cats Facts
How fast can a cheetah run? Which big cat is the strongest climber? Read all of the big cat facts to find out.
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Big Cats Quiz
How much do you know about big cats? Take the quiz and test your knowledge of endangered cats from around the world.
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