The Panthera Lineage

The Panthera lineage is part of the Felidae classification of the mammalian order Carnivora. The last common ancestor of the modern cats was a species of Pseudaelurus, which is a prehistoric cat that lived in Europe, Asia and North America approximately eight and twenty million years ago. Descendants of the Panthera lineage has evolved into 7 species which has split from their common ancestor Pseudaelurus. These seven species got divided into two groups namely Panthera Genus and Neofelis Genus.

Panthera Genus

The five cats of this Genus are Tiger, Lion, Jaguar, Leopard, and Snow Leopard.

1. Tiger

Scientific name - Panthera Tigris

Lifespan - 10 to 15 years

Distinguished characteristic - Dark vertical stripes on orange brown fur with a lighter underside

Speed - 49 to 65 km/h

2. Lion

Scientific name - Panthera Leo

Lifespan - 10 to 14 years

Distinguished characteristic - Muscular, deep chested body, short, rounded head, round ears, and a hairy tuft at the end of its tail

Speed - 80 km/h

3. Jaguar

Scientific name - Panthera Onca

Lifespan - 12 to 15 years

Distinguished characteristic - Compact and well muscled, a tawny yellow coat but ranges to reddish brown, the ventral areas are white, and the fur is covered with rosettes

Speed - 80 km/h

4. Leopard

Scientific name - Panthera Pardus

Lifespan - 12 to 17 years

Distinguished characteristic - Skin color varies from pale yellowish to dark golden with dark spots grouped in rosettes, belly is whitish and its tail is shorter than its body

Speed - 58 km/h

5. Snow Leopard

Scientific name - Panthera Uncia

Lifespan - 21 years

Distinguished characteristic - Fur is whitish to gray with black spots on head and neck, but larger rosettes on the back, bushy tail

Speed - 35 to 40 m/h

Neofelis Genus

The two cats of this Genus are the Mainland Clouded Leopard and the Sunda Clouded Leopard.

1. Mainland Clouded Leopard

Scientific name - Neofelis Nebulosa

Lifespan - 15 to 17 years

Distinguished characteristic - Fur is of a dark gray ground color, black spots on the head and the ears are black

Speed - 40 km/h

2. Sunda Clouded Leopard

Scientific name - Neofelis Diardi

Lifespan - 12 to 15 years

Distinguished characteristic - Fur is overall grayish yellow or gray hue, has a double mid line on the back and is marked with small irregular cloud-like patterns on shoulders

Speed - 40 km/h