Africa is home to a many species of wild cats, both big and small.

Cats belong to the Felidae family, which emerged around 25 million years ago. Today, the big cats are top predators, while small cats help control rodent populations and maintain ecological balance. Africa’s wild cats have evolved into some of the most successful predators on the continent.

Adaptations of the Felidae Family

The powerful muscles in a cat’s body, particularly in the legs and shoulders, are another hallmark of the family. These muscles give cats the ability to leap great distances, climb trees, or ambush prey with explosive bursts of speed. Stealth is also a key part of their hunting success. Cats have soft, padded paws that allow them to approach prey silently before launching a sudden attack. Their whiskers, highly sensitive to touch, help them navigate in the dark and detect nearby objects.

Across the Felidae family, these adaptations have made them some of the most efficient and specialized hunters in the animal kingdom, allowing them to thrive in various environments from deserts and grasslands to rainforests and mountains.

Average Weight of African Cats

Here is a list of Africa’s cats, from largest to the smallest:

• Lion (Panthera leo): Males average 330 to 550 pounds (150 to 250 kg), females average 260 to 400 pounds (120 to 180 kg)
• Leopard (Panthera pardus): Males average 80 to 200 pounds (36 to 91 kg), females average 60 to 130 pounds (27 to 59 kg)
• Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus): Males and females average 77 to 143 pounds (35 to 65 kg)
• African Golden Cat (Caracal aurata): Males and females average 24 to 35 pounds (11 to 16 kg)
• Caracal (Caracal caracal): Males and females average 20 to 40 pounds (9 to 18 kg)
• Serval (Leptailurus serval): Males and females average 20 to 40 pounds (9 to 18 kg)
• African Wildcat (Felis lybica): Males and females average 7 to 15 pounds (3 to 7 kg)
• Jungle Cat (Felis chaus): Males and females average 10 to 35 pounds (4.5 to 16 kg)
• Sand Cat (Felis margarita): Males and females average 4 to 7.5 pounds (1.8 to 3.4 kg)
• Black-Footed Cat (Felis nigripes): Males and females average 3 to 5 pounds (1.5 to 2.5 kg)

Let’s look into each species in more detail.

The Big Cats (& Small Cats) of Africa

Lion (Panthera leo)

The lion, often dubbed the “king of the jungle,” is Africa’s most social cat. Living in prides of up to 30 members, lions are unique in the cat world for their communal lifestyle. Within the pride, females do most of the hunting, while males protect the territory and their cubs from rival males. What many people don’t know is that lions are surprisingly lazy—spending up to 20 hours a day resting. On a safari, you’ll likely spot lions lounging in the shade or sleeping off a meal. Their loud roar, which can be heard up to five miles away, is a way to mark territory and communicate with pride members across vast distances. While lions may look intimidating, they’re opportunistic hunters and often steal kills from other predators like cheetahs and hyenas, displaying their “bully of the savanna” behavior.

Leopard (Panthera pardus)

If there’s a master of stealth in the African wild, it’s the leopard. These cats are known for their solitary nature and incredible adaptability. Leopards can live anywhere—whether it’s the dense forests or the arid landscapes. Their rosette-patterned coats are perfect camouflage, allowing them to blend seamlessly into their surroundings. Unlike lions, leopards are expert climbers and use trees not just to avoid scavengers but to store their kills. In fact, a leopard can haul prey twice its weight up a tree with ease. Despite their strength, leopards are also graceful. They prefer to stalk their prey silently, waiting for the perfect moment to pounce. However, they’re also opportunists—known to prey on anything from small rodents to antelope. For safari-goers, catching a glimpse of a leopard lounging in a tree is often the highlight of the trip.

Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus)

Speed is what sets the cheetah apart from all other big cats. Capable of going from 0 to 60 mph (0 to 97 km/h) in under three seconds, cheetahs are the fastest land animals. But this speed comes with a catch—cheetahs can only maintain their breakneck pace for about 20 to 30 seconds before they overheat. Unlike lions and leopards, cheetahs are built for the chase, with a slim frame, long legs, and an elongated spine that acts like a spring during a sprint. Cheetahs are surprisingly fragile compared to other predators. Their claws don’t fully retract, giving them extra grip while running, but leaving them vulnerable when it comes to defending their kills from stronger predators like lions or hyenas. In Tanzania, particularly in the open plains of the Serengeti, you’ll spot cheetahs scanning the horizon for prey. While their hunts are thrilling to witness, cheetahs face high cub mortality rates, with only about one in five cubs making it to adulthood—a reminder of how tough life is for even the swiftest predator.

Caracal (Caracal caracal)

The caracal is a medium-sized cat, often recognized by its distinctive long, black-tufted ears. These tufts are thought to aid in communication and hearing. Caracals are agile hunters, capable of leaping up to 10 feet (3 meters) into the air to catch birds in flight. Unlike cheetahs and leopards, caracals are less dependent on large prey and often hunt smaller animals such as birds, rodents, and small antelopes. They are found in many parts of Africa, but are often difficult to spot due to their stealthy nature. In Tanzania, caracals inhabit a variety of ecosystems, including savannas and dry woodlands.

Serval (Leptailurus serval)

The serval is another medium-sized cat, recognizable by its long legs and large, rounded ears. Servals are skilled hunters and opportunistic feeders that will eat a wide variety of prey. They rely on their acute sense of hearing to detect small animals, such as rodents and birds, in tall grass. It has the ability to leap several feet into the air to pounce on its prey, often catching birds in mid-flight. Servals prefer wetland habitats and grasslands and can be found in parks like the Serengeti.

African Golden Cat (Caracal aurata)

The African golden cat is one of the least studied cats in Africa, due to its secretive behavior and preference for dense rainforests. Found primarily in West and Central Africa, this cat is rarely seen and remains a mystery to many researchers. It is closely related to the caracal and serval, but little is known about its habits or population status. Its reddish or golden-brown coat helps it blend into the forest environment, making it a highly effective ambush predator.

African Wildcat (Felis lybica)

The African wildcat is the ancestor of domestic cats, and while it looks quite similar to house cats, it remains a wild predator. These cats are small and agile, primarily hunting rodents and birds. African wildcats are widespread across Africa. They are known for their ability to adapt to a variety of habitats, including savannas, deserts, and woodlands. In Tanzania, they can be found in many national parks and are often mistaken for domestic cats.

Black-Footed Cat (Felis nigripes)

One of the smallest wild cats in the world, the black-footed cat is native to southern Africa. With a weight between 3 to 5 pounds (1.5 to 2.5 kg), it is about the same size as a rabbit. This tiny cat has exceptional hunting skills, capable of taking down prey much larger than itself. It primarily hunts at night, using its sharp night vision and stealth to catch small mammals, birds, and insects. It is known to make between 10 to 14 kills per night, making it one of the most efficient hunters in the animal kingdom. Found mostly in southern African countries such as Namibia, Botswana, and South Africa, it thrives in dry, open savannas and grasslands.

Want to see big cats in Africa? Embark on a Tanzanian safari!