Big Cats

Having just written about Cheetah Day and realising that although I have a Pinterest page for tigers and lions, I do not have one that features the other big cats. So here I plan to summarise all the days that are associated with Big Cats. There is not a combined day for all big cats.

The term "big cat" is typically used to refer to any of the five living members of the genus Panthera, namely the tiger, lion, jaguar, leopard, and snow leopard, as well as the non-pantherine cheetah and cougar. Wikipedia

Mass: Cougar: 53 – 72 kg, Tiger: 90 – 310 kg, Leopard: 31 kg · See more

Lifespan: Cougar: 8 – 13 years, Tiger: 10 – 15 years, Leopard: 12 – 17 years, Lion: 15 – 16 years, Jaguar: 12 – 15 years

Speed: Cougar: 64 – 80 km/h, Tiger: 49 – 65 km/h, Leopard: 58 km/h, Lion: 74 km/h, Jaguar: 80 km/h, Cheetah: 80 – 130 km/h

There is a celebratory day for each of the big cats!

So if you are planning your year you can have several displays. I would struggle to find enough books for Cougar Day, but the rest I have written about on this blog with book suggestions.

Leopards in May. (3rd)

Cougars in June. (12th)

Tigers in July.(29th)

Lions in August. (10th)

Snow Leopards in October. (23rd)

Jaguars in November (29th)  and 

Cheetahs in December (4th)

29th November World Jaguar Day

World Jaguar Day occurs on November 29th  to pay tribute to the largest cat in the Americas and the challenges it faces today. Jaguar comes from an indigenous word that means "he who kills with one leap". Yet, this enigmatic animal's existence is threatened by habitat loss, prey loss, wildlife trafficking, trophies hunting, or conflicts over livestock. 

Our school library hasn't got many books that are specifically about jaguars. We have several books about 'big cats' which feature jaguars and that is probably sufficient for an Australian child, but these four books will give you a good overview:

• A Boy and a Jaguar  by Alan Rabinowitz

Alan loves animals, but the great cat house at the Bronx Zoo makes him sad. Why are they all alone in empty cages? Are they being punished? More than anything, he wants to be their champion-their voice-but he stutters uncontrollably. Except when he talks to animals… Then he is fluent. Follow the life of the man Time Magazine calls, "the Indiana Jones of wildlife conservation" as he searches for his voice and fulfils a promise to speak for animals, and people, who cannot speak for themselves. This is a real-life story.

• Who Would Win? Jaguar vs Skunk by Jerry Pallotta

What if a jaguar and a skunk had a fight? Who do you think would win? This nonfiction reader compares and contrasts two ferocious animals. Readers will learn about each animal's anatomy, behavior, and more. Then compare and contrast the battling pair before finally discovering the winner!

• Jaguar  by Helen Cowcher  This wonderful book is out of print, but it might be in your school library. This story originated from first-hand experience of a sustainably managed HATO in the Venezuelan Llanos which had safeguarded enough natural forest to support jaguars while operating traditional cattle ranching. 

• Saving Jaguars  by Martha London This title explores the role of jaguars in their habitats, how humans have threatened the animal's existence, and efforts being taken to protect them. Clear text, vibrant photos, and helpful infographics.