1. Cheetah: Cheetahs (Acinonyx jubalus) are the world’s fastest land animal. They once ranged throughout India, Pakistan, Russia, Iran and the Middle East, but due to diminishing populations, most cheetahs can only be found in the eastern and southern parts of Africa, and Iran. Today there are an estimated 7,000 cheetah’s left in the world. Conservation Status: Vulnerable. Cheetah subspecies:
Asiatic cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus venaticus) – the only remaining Asian cheetah population. Critically Endangered (almost extinct). Northwest African cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus hecki)
    Southeast African cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus jubatus) and Northeast African cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus soemmeringii) – Critically Endangered. 
2. Clouded Leopard: The clouded leopard (Neofelis nebulosa) is found in Asia, from the Himalayas (Nepal and India) to China, usually in dense forrest. Physical characteristics include a dark grey fur with black spots, blotches and mottled stripes. It is estimated that there are less than 10,000 clouded leopards in the wild. Conservation Status: Vulnerable.
3. Cougar: Also called the puma, mountain lion, Florida panther, red tiger and catamount. Over 30 subspecies of cougar (Puma concolor) have been documented. Two subspecies have been recognized. Found throughout North, Central and South America. Conservation Status: Least Concern. Cougar subspecies: North American cougar (P. concolor couguar) and Northern South American cougar (P. concolor concolor) 
4. Jaguar: Jaguars (Panthera onca) roam throughout Central and South America in forests located near rivers and lakes. Sometimes they are seen in the Southwestern United States. They are very similar in appearance to leopards, but generally larger. Jaguars are one of the four big cats that roar. At one time it was believed there were several subspecies of jaguar. More recent research has concluded there are no subspecies. Conservation Status: Near Threatened. 
5. Leopard: Leopards (Panthera pardus) inhabit Africa, India, Asia, the Middle East and Malay peninsula. Leopard subspecies include the Persian leopard, the Arabian leopard, the Sri Lankan leopard and the Javan leopard. The leopard is one of the four big cats that roar. Conservation Status: Vulnerable. Leopard Subspecies are Indian leopard (Panthera p. fusca),
    African leopard (Panthera p. pardus), Javan leopard (Panthera p. melas),  Arabian leopard (Panthera. p. nimr), Anatolian leopard (Panthera p. tulliana), Sri Lankan leopard (Panthera. p. kotiya),
    Indochinese leopard (Panthera. p. delacouri) and Amur Leopard (Panthera p. orientalis) – also known as the Far Eastern leopard, Korean leopard and Manchurian leopard). One of the rarest big cats and dangerously close to extinction, with around 100 Amur leopards left in the wild. Named for the Amur River located in eastern Mongolia. Conservation Status: Critically Endangered.
6. Lion: The lion (Panthera leo) once roamed throughout southeastern Europe, the Middle East and parts of India. While a small population still remains in India, the species now occupies habitats in various parts of Africa. At one time it was believed there were many subspecies of lion. As of 2017, only two subspecies are considered valid. Conservation Status: Vulnerable. Lion subspecies: 
    Panthera leo leo – includes lion populations in West Africa and northern parts of Central Africa, as well as the Asiatic lion. Additional former subspecies now considered Panthera leo leo: West African lion (Panthera l. senegalensis), Panther l. kamptzi and Panther l. azandica. Panthera leo melanochaita – includes the extinct Cape lion and lion populations in Southern Africa and East Africa.
7. Snow Leopard: The snow leopard (Panthera uncia) can be found in the mountains of South and Central Asia. Snow leopards have adapted to extremely cold climates. It is estimated that there are less than 9,000 snow leopards living in the wild. Conservation Status: Vulnerable.
8. Sunda Clouded Leopard: The Sunda clouded leopard (Neofelis diardi), also called the Sundaland clouded leopard, is found in Sumatra and Borneo. Studies show a continuing decrease in population. The leopard’s local name means “tree branch tiger.” They are mostly found in forests and are skilled climbers. Conservation Status: Vulnerable. Sunda clouded leopard subspecies:  Neofelis diardi diardi (Sumatran clouded leopard) and Neofelis diardi borneensis (Bornean clouded leopard)
9. Tiger: The tiger (Panthera tigris) is the largest of all big cats. Less than 3,000 tigers exist in the wild today. It was once believed there were several tiger subspecies. The subspecies list was revised in 2017, showing only two subspecies: Panthera tigris tigris (tigers in continental Asia) and Panthera tigris sondaica (tigers in the Sunda Islands). Conservation Status: Endangered. Tiger Subspecies: 
    Panthera tigris tigris – includes the Bengal tiger – Endangered, Siberian (Amur) tiger – Endangered, South China tiger – Critically Endangered, Indochinese tiger – Endangered, Malayan tiger – Critically Endangered and Caspian tiger (extinct). Panthera tigris sondaica – the last surviving population of island tigers is the Sumatran tiger – Critically Endangered; there are two other extinct island tigers, the Javan tiger and the Bali tiger.
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