On the Origin of a Species: The Red Panda, Ailurus fulgens

A look at this taxonomically, physiologically, anatomically confusing but absolutely, undoubtedly cute little species, the red panda, Ailurus fulgens. Once thought related to raccoons, or the giant panda, it now stands in a family of its own proving, even to cynics like me, that taxonomy is not just useless bickering about arbitrary classifications.

Caturday Special: The Leopard, Panthera pardus

With this study of the leopard we have written about every extant pantherine. There are no more big cat species of that genus left to cover. The leopard is a beautiful, generalist, opportunist species adapted for a wide variety of habitats, explaining it’s wide distribution. It is a cat also associated with the Greek God Dionysus, the God of wine.

Caturday Special: The Cougar (Puma concolor)

We look at the cougar, or puma, or mountain lion – it’s a cat of many names mainly caused by its wide distribution. It is a big cat, but it is more closely related to small cats, it is absolutely beautiful, it loves the mountains and it rarely attacks people. We also discuss the hybridisation with texan cougar of the Florida Panther, in order to save that sub-population from inbreeding problems.

Caturday Special: The Scottish Wildcat (Felis silvestris grampia)

A look at the Scottish wildcat, the reasons for its endangered status, and the conservation efforts being undertaken to save it from the brink of extinction.

Top Ten Cats #3 – Tiger, Panthera tigris

CONTENT WARNING: Contains images of animal cruelty “Tiger, tiger burning bright…” etc. I’ve got tiger stories up the wazoo, man. I did a pub quiz once where I argued for an extra half point because the question was ‘what is the largest cat in the world?’ and everyone said tiger, but I said, quite rightfully,

Top Ten Cats #8 – Clouded Leopard, Neofelis nebulosa

In case you hadn’t noticed by now I am a lexiphile. I love words for words’ sake. It separates me from the bibliophiles, who like words to be structured into tomes and books with contexts and narratives. I don’t mind so long as the word sounds good. Like with yesterday’s jaguarundi. Well Neofelis nebulosa is