Like other quantum field theories of physics such as string theory, quantum electrodynamics proposes that spacetime cannot be defined by the laws that once conceived of time as though it was an arrow moving through a distinct past, present, and future. Feynman’s book, A Strange Theory of Light and Matter (Princeton University Press, 1985), collecting his lectures on quantum electrodynamics, an agreement between quantum mechanics and relativity is attempted by describing interactions between light (photons) and matter (electrons), which are thought to travel to and from anywhere in the universe at any time. The large square rosettes look like clouds to some people, and that is how they got the name "clouded leopard.Collage I made of the The Strange Theory of Light and Matter, Figure 88 in the book, and QED Rules (courtesy of wikipedia). Short flexible legs, large paws, and keen claws combine to make them very sure-footed in this environment. Himalayan foothills through mainland Southeast Asia into China This spotted cat closely resembles the leopard, but is usually larger and sturdier. The jaguar's present range extends from Southwestern United States and Mexico in North America, across much of Central America, and south to Paraguay and northern Argentina in South America. The species is classified in the genus Panthera with the lion, leopard, jaguar, and snow leopard. The tiger is the largest cat species, most recognizable for its pattern of dark vertical stripes on reddish-orange fur with a lighter underside. The tiger is the national animal of India, Bangladesh, Malaysia and South Korea. This color resembles the rocks and snow of their environment and helps them stalk their prey. Snow leopards have grey-and-white fur with long tails and rosettes on the flanks and spots on the head and neck, like jaguars. Native to the mountain ranges of Central and South Asia Male lions are larger than the lionesses (females), weighing as much as five men or about 550 pounds (250 kilograms). They grow to a length of about 10 feet (3 metres) and stand about 4 feet (1.2 metres) tall. Lions have tawny, or yellowish brown, fur. Most lions now live in East and Southern Africa Because the fur in a leopard's spots is thicker and more coarse, they can be felt as well as seen. Depending on where it lives, a leopard's coat can be a pale straw color, grey, ochre, or black. However, the cheetah is the sole living member of the Acinonyx genus-its Latin name is Acinonyx jubatus-making it part of a separate branch in the phylogenetic tree.Ī leopard's coat is short and sleek. As a taxonomic category, Panthera is a genus within the larger felidae family, which also includes cheetahs. Those more familiar with these animals do not classify them as "big cats" or "great cats." These terms are not exactly a scientific classification, but it should be noted that tigers, lions, jaguars, and leopards (except clouded leopards) are all members of the genus Panthera. However, even taller species like caracals, servals, and bobcats should not be considered big cats. Smaller species include the black-footed cat, African wildcat, and sand cat. What Makes a "Big Cat" Big?įelids are a diverse family of animals, but people will often casually call any non-domesticated feline a "big cat"-even though some species are close to the size of a house cat. Lions, tigers, and other big cats are, without a doubt, dangerous to interact with.
(Notably, some scientists consider house cats to be non-domesticated.) The often-repeated notion that these "attacks" are due to cheetahs being "wild animals" makes little sense, as all cats perform these behaviors. Cheetahs, like house cats, combine play behaviors with predatory instinct. In that sense, these incidents are not very different from the hundreds of cat videos on YouTube in which toddlers and adults are pounced on by their much-smaller pets. In addition, most able-bodied people can fend off their "'attacks," which are often really play or rambunctious behavior from young individuals. It is evident, however, that many of these incidences make headlines because the animal involved is mistakenly perceived to be a "big cat" or "great cat." The incident is then sensationalized because real big cats are so dangerous and capable of killing a human quickly.Īs previously discussed, cheetahs are very different from lions and tigers. Cheetahs are one of these animals, and plenty of incidences of cheetah "attacks" have been documented and even captured on camera. Are cheetah encounters dangerous? The truth is that all animals can bite as long as they have teeth.