21 Rare Wild Cat Species You Probably Didn’t Know About

• By Malaika
• July 16, 2020
• 4 minutes read

There are many cat species in the world.

And I don’t mean just the version of a cat that we keep as a pet. From lions, tigers to leopards, the world is filled with huge and small cats alike. However, while these may be familiar, there is a whole world of cat species out there that many people don’t know about. They are indigenous to certain areas and cannot be found anywhere else.

I personally didn’t know these many species existed but it is interesting to see the different looks and behaviors of each and every individual cat. While some of these are born to be ferocious hunters, others are much calmer. No wonder the house cat can have so many different personalities.

So scroll on below and take a look at some of the most interesting species in wild cats.

#1 Canadian Lynx (Lynx Canadensis)

Look at the size of those paws! -BillieCoran

#2 Sand Cat (Felis Margarita)

#3 Pallas Cat (Otocolobus Manul)

Such beautiful animals. Near endangerment due to hunting. -BillieCoran

#4 Black-footed Cat (Felis Nigripes)

It would be nice to see his/her black feet though. -LisaNíChárthaigh

#5 Caracal (Caracal Caracal)

Draw me like one of your french girls. -Cats4Life

#6 Clouded Leopard (Neofelis Nebulosa)

Oh my goodness. I wanna hug this gorgeous cat. -DonelleGlatt

#7 Pampas Cat (Leopardus Pajeros)

#8 Jaguarundi

I love seeing these pictures of cats I had no idea existed! I love cats and think they are wonderful!! I’m betting there are even more cats that we don’t know about . . . -BarbraRichman

#9 Leopard Cat (Prionailurus Bengalensis)

SOMETHING JUST TOUCHED MY LEG. -Cats4Life

#10 Fishing Cat (Prionailurus Viverrinus)

Fishing cats actually DO fish….like Tigers, they have no fear of water. ENDANGERED as all of these are…. -Mongoose Jones

#11 Serval (Leptailurus Serval)

#12 Bay Cat (Catopuma Badia)

Does NOT look happy to be caged! -BillieCoran

#13 Kodkod (Leopardus Guigna)

These cats are so cute looking. They are obviously wild, but look adorable. -CareyRonning

#14 Ocelot (Leopardus Pardalis)

#15 Wildcat (Felis Silvestris)

Looks just like a house cat! -Cats4Life

#16 Asian Golden Cat (Catopuma Temminckii)

Seriously looks like melted gold or bronze. really unique patterns. -Janessa Jensen

#17 Chinese Mountain Cat (Felis Bieti)

Looks like it has escaped from a Dr Seuss story. -JannaGalère

#18 Margay Cat (Leopardus Wiedii)

I feel so lucky that I once got to see this rare animal in the wild, especially since they mainly live in the trees and rarely touch the ground, beautiful! -JolijnNjamin

#19 Flat-headed Cat (Felis Planiceps)

It looks in between a cat and a rat. -IraAjah

#20 Rusty Spotted Cat (Prionailurus Rubiginosus)

Such beauties, all of them. -TinaStevens

#21 Andean Cat (Leopardus Jacobita)

This cat is so cute! This picture doesn’t do justice to it. -PaulaMedina

What do you think of unique cat species? Did you know beforehand that any of these existed? let us know in the comments below. Don’t forget to share with your friends to spread awareness about these endangered cats.