Southern Alberta’s Big Cats
The big cats of southern Alberta include lions, tigers, leopards, and cougars. These large felines are native to the region and can be found roaming around in the wild.
Lions are the most significant big cats and are easily recognizable by their manes. These large felines are apex predators and live in pride, consisting of several females and one or two males.
Tigers are the second largest of the big cats and can weigh up to 700 pounds. They typically have a much thicker coat of fur than lions and are usually found in more dense and forested areas. Tigers prey primarily on deer but also hunt smaller animals such as rabbits and monkeys.
Leopards are the smallest of the big cats and can weigh up to 275 pounds. They have a spotted fur coat and typically live in more open areas than the other big cats. Leopards are experts at hunting prey on the ground, such as antelopes and gazelles.
Cougars are the only wild cat in southern Alberta. They are smaller than any other big cats and typically weigh around 100 pounds. Cougars are solitary animals that hunt mainly deer but have also been known to attack humans.
