Big Cats

In french, we also call the snow leopard "Once", which is related to its latin name Panthera Uncia.

I saw one once!

I can beat that, Malbaby - I was urinated on by a snow leopard once, at a sanctuary in Darjeeling. They're the most incredibly beautiful things I've ever seen, but their pee is really offensive.

Sorted then, everyone call the snow leopard an Irbis from now on

A leopered is not a panther they are actually super diffrent please change that.

I wish

They can get even more boring when translating bird Latin names

"Big cat" has a specific meaning, and using it synonymously with 'weighty' muddies the waters. It's not a size thing, it's a taxonomy thing. Neither bobcats nor lynx (Eurasian or otherwise) are classified as big cats. Strictly speaking, big cats are the 5 members of the genus Panthera (tigers, leopards, snow leopards, lions, jaguars). Panthera can roar but can't purr, due to laryngeal shape (excepting snow leopards, which can purr but can't roar; they do 'chuff' like tigers & clouded leopards).

All that said, the more inclusive definition of big cat extends to members of genus Neofelis (clouded and Sunda clouded leopards), as well as cougars & cheetahs (none of which can roar, but can purr up a storm). So I gots no beef with including them here! But just because a cat is the biggest in the 'hood doesn't make it a big cat -- I implore you to remove the Eurasian lynx. After all, we need a small cat quiz and I'm sure the Eurasian lynx would love to throw its weight around over there

Oh, and for anyone wondering what the heck chuffing is, it's used for friendly greetings, and sounds kind of like a maraca to my ear. You can

hear it at this rescue sanctuary.

@redsplat I have allways thought of chuffing as a single spitting forcefull purr (I dont mean I would include it under purrs, just how I would describe it, the air is forced out, but the sound is still trembly)

That may be, but they live life to the manx. Go big or go home!

bobcat isnt the same as lynx..

A bobcat ís a lynx. It just so happens to be the only one among the four lynx species not to have the word 'lynx' in its name, so when people simply say 'lynx', they usually refer to the Eurasian lynx, Iberian lynx or Canadian lynx, whichever one is native to their region. Colloquial use of words doesn't bother taxonomists though; the bobcat is a species of lynx.