Introduction: Big Cats: Episode One (02:08)

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Cheetahs are the fastest land animals, and part of a forty species family ranging in size, speed, and strength.

Panthera Leo (07:24)

Lions are uniquely social, living in prides; in Tanzania, a super-pride has formed, and the extended family defends and provides for all mothers and cubs. Larger groups hunt bigger prey; buffalo inflicted injuries and deaths are common.

Miniature Predator (04:40)

The Rusty Spotted Cat is the smallest feline. They are brave, with acute senses, able to differentiate a billion odors. They mentally create and store three dimensional maps of the Sri Lankan jungle, enabling safe and expedient return home from hunts.

South American Species (02:03)

Jaguars hunt crocodiles in Patanal, the world's largest tropical wetland; they have the strongest bite per pound of all cats. The precision jumping, tree climbing Margay lives in the jungle; they judge distances precisely and have 180 degree rotating ankles.

Panthera Uncia (06:41)

The Snow Leopard lives in the Himalayas; food scarcities require them to maintain large territories. A male uses his enduring, pungent urine sprays to attract a mate; he explores for days before finding a female’s mark, and hearing her call.

Panthera Pardus and Kittens (07:51)

Leopards are highly adaptive, occupying more habitats than other felines. An African female provides for her young, but must hunt alone, leaving offspring vulnerable; half of cubs perish in their first year. Cats have long infancies; sibling play develops survival skills.

Puma Concotor (05:21)

At Patagonia, pumas take advantage of Magellanic Penguins annual nesting migration. Food is typically scarce; the cats slaughter many defenseless birds. The feline is the most widespread mammal on the Western Hemisphere.

Lynx Canadensis (05:27)

The highly elusive Canadian Lynx lives in the Yukon. They hunt snowshoe hare exclusively, conserving energy by stealth tracking prey; they must catch one daily to survive.

Acinonyx Jubatus (06:28)

In the Namibian Desert, Cheetahs are studied with a camera-equipped, high-speed buggy. The feline reaches high speeds, while reacting instantly to prey’s movements; traction claws, balancing tails and strong bones allow abrupt directional changes and stops.

Credits: Big Cats: Episode One (00:33)

Credits: Big Cats: Episode One