Page 16 - World of Animals - Deadly Predators
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PANTHERINAE
Big cats rack up kills with their combined
powers of stealth, speed and agility
Words Amy Grisdale
he last common ancestor of roar. Eight species are now extinct, and
all modern cats evolved there are seven still alive today. Their
20 million years ago – it was a evolutionary journey began almost
species of primitive cat called 11 million years ago, and today these cats
TPseudaelurus, and its bloodline have found enormous success across five
gave rise to eight distinct lineages of closely different continents. Each has become the
related animals. Pantherinae were the very top predator in their environment, and
first group to emerge. These are the largest big cats are both feared and revered
cats on the planet and all share the ability to around the world.
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