Ranking Every Species Of Wild Feline

Cataloguing family Felidae.

40. Jaguarundi (Puma yagouaroundi)

Via animalstown.com

While there's really no such thing as an ugly cat, these guys come pretty close. With a facial structure closer to a ferret than anything else, these close relatives of the cougar come in at the bottom of the list.

39. Bay cat (Catopuma badia)

Via en.wikipedia.org

Like the jaguarundi, bay cats just don't look much like cats. Their heads seem too small for their bodies, their legs are freakishly long, and their eyes give them a somewhat crazed appearance. That tail looks incredibly soft, though.

38. Flat-headed cat (Prionailurus planiceps)

Via ourbreathingplanet.com

OK, so the flattened head on these guys is sending me mixed messages. On the one hand, I really want to think it makes them look cute, kind of like how pugs are cute because of their squashed faces. But, on the other hand, I just can't get over how weird they look. And while the red tint on the head is nice, that coloration on the body is just bland.

37. Andean mountain cat (Leopardus jacobitus)

Via en.wikipedia.org

Alright, the Andean mountain cat looks like it has a lot of potential. After all, it's got a cute face and a nice, fluffy, long tail. Sadly, I just could not find a good picture of one. They all look dirty and mangy, and until I can find proof that this isn't their natural state, I just can't rank these shabby tabbies any higher.

36. Chinese mountain cat (Felis bieti)

Via redorbit.com

The Chinese mountain cat is by no means ugly. But, it just isn't pretty either. Drab face, drab coat, drab tail... Just a drab cat all the way around.

35. Jungle cat (Felis chaus)

Via animalspot.net

Another lackluster contender. Moving on...

34. Wildcat (Felis silvestris)

Via zoochat.com

Essentially a domestic cat that isn't domestic, the wildcat is really nothing to get excited about.

33. Iriomote cat (Prionailurus bengalensis iriomotensis)

Via bigcatrescue.org

Finally, a normal-looking cat with a little bit of flair! The Iriomote is certainly not the most spectacular cat out there, but it does have some interesting face markings that give it a distinctive look.

32. Rusty-spotted cat (Prionailurus rubiginosus)

Via smeegly.com

This feline's spotted coat adds a little bit of interest to an otherwise run-of-the-mill appearance.

31. Geoffroy's cat (Leopardus geoffroyi)

Popo / Via snowporing.deviantart.com

Another species with just enough feline flair to be ranked in the middle of the feline field.

30. Kodkod (Leopardus guigna)

Via bioweb.uwlax.edu

The kodkod's weird name and adorable face are enough to put this species into the top thirty.

29. Serval (Leptailurus serval)

Via animalcorner.co.uk

The serval is essentially a miniature version of the cheetah, which is pretty cool. However, the odd proportions of this cat's body, while not as unfortunate as those of the bay cat, are enough to keep this feline from being ranked any higher.

28. Lion (Panthera leo)

Via gowild.wwf.org.uk

I know, I know. The lion is the "King of the Jungle." But hear me out, here, okay? When it comes down to it, lions are really pretty mundane. They don't have any interesting markings or coloration, they aren't fast like cheetahs or as intelligent as tigers... There's just not much about them that's special. The males do have those wonderful manes, though, and for that, the lion gets ranked higher than twelve of its feline cousins.

27. Pampas cat (Leopardus pajeros)

Via pinterest.com

The Pampas cat, Pantanal cat (#26), and colocolo (#25) are all closely related, and some scientists even consider them to be the same species. For that reason, they are ranked consecutively on this list. All three have an intriguing combination of stripes and spots, as well as the classic cute cat face. However, one of them had to be ranked lower than the other two, and the lack of defined spots on the Pampas cat's torso landed it in the bottom position among the three. Meanwhile, the slightly more adorable facial structure and unique name of the colocolo allowed it to edge out the Pantanal.

26. Pantanal cat (Leopardus braccatus)

Via pinterest.com

See above.

25. Colocolo (Leopardus colocolo)

Via taringa.net

See above.

24. Bobcat (Lynx rufus)

http://E.j. Peiker / Via wildspiritguide.com

Ok, so maybe the bobcat is a little drab. But, the combination of the short little tail, big paws, and fluffy cheeks earns this species a spot in the top 25.

23. Marbled cat (Pardofelis marmorata)

Via observationdeck.io9.com

The marbled cat has a beautiful coat, but it's somewhat reminiscent of a skunk. And it's simply not cute or graceful enough to be ranked higher.

22. Cougar (Puma concolor)

Via pgcpsmess.wordpress.com

"What?" you say, "how is the cougar ranked higher than the lion?" Well, even though it's just as drab as the king of the jungle and doesn't have a fancy mane to help its case, the cougar/puma/mountain lion is basically pure grace and power in feline form. And, look at those soulful eyes! Plus, only something truly awesome is worthy of having three different names.

21. Leopard (Panthera pardus)

Via pinterest.com

The leopard, like the cougar, is an extremely graceful and powerful animal. Plus, it's got a beautiful coat and knows how to pose in a tree.

20. Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus)

Radu Sigheti / Reuters / Via news.yahoo.com

Cheetahs: power, grace, beauty, and speed. Enough said.

19. Canadian lynx (Lynx canadensis)

Via org.elon.edu

The lynx is basically the cuter cousin of the bobcat. Who can resist those ear tufts, cheek ruffs, and gigantic feet?

18. Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx)

Via dphotographer.co.uk

Basically the Canadian lynx, but with a more interesting coat.

17. Leopard cat (Prionailurus bengalensis)

Via zoochat.com

This little guy is essentially just what his name says he is: a miniaturized, cuter version of the leopard.

16. Oncilla (Leopardus tigrinus)

Via ardentlight.com

Similar to the leopard cat, but smaller and cuter.

15. Jaguar (Panthera onca)

Edwin Giesbers / Via bbc.co.uk

Jaguars are very similar in appearance to leopards, but somehow they just seem more graceful to me. Maybe it's the eyes.

14. Clouded leopard (Neofelis nebulosa)

Via karmacats.org.au

The clouded leopard has one of the most amazing coats in the animal kingdom, plus it's the smallest of the "big cats," and one of the rarest.

13. Sunda clouded leopard (Neofelis diardi)

Via animal-kid.com

An even rarer version of the clouded leopard.

12. Asian golden cat (Catopuma temminckii)

Via edzoolatest.kraya.net

Look at that face. It's like an Oreo and caramel sundae on a cat. Except much more graceful.

11. Pallas's cat (Otocolobus manui)

Via felids.wordpress.com

Essentially the grumpy cat of the wild, this little guy may not have a particularly exciting coat, but the fluffiness and grumpiness make him too adorable to resist.

10. Caracal (Caracal caracal)

Nigel Dennis / Via animalofthewould.wikia.com

The caracal may look bland at first glance, but the ridiculously long tufts on the ears and the markings around the mouth that give this species a perpetual grin earn these guys a spot in the top ten.

9. Fishing cat (Prionailurus viverrinus)

Via ecology.com

Not only is the fishing cat beautiful, but it's also one of the few species of felines that's more than willing to get wet. And nothing is cuter than a wet cat.

8. African golden cat (Profelis aurata)

Via hdw-inc.com

Wow. Just, wow. That is a beautiful cat. I really don't know what else to say.

7. Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus)

Via theguardian.com

All the adorableness of the other lynx species, but with a mane worthy of a lion.

6. Tiger (Panthera tigris)

Via fanpop.com

Like the fishing cat, tigers aren't afraid of a little water. Plus, their coats are like works of art. These big cats have definitely earned their stripes, and a spot at number six on the list.

5. Snow leopard (Panthera uncia)

Via blogs.unbc.ca

And now for the best of the "big cats." Snow leopards are basically what would result if you mixed a normal leopard, a clouded leopard, and a lynx. With beautiful coats, soulful eyes, tons of grace, huge paws, and a tail you just want to cuddle up with, these felines come in at number five.

4. Ocelot (Leopardus pardalis)

Via revolutionaryecology.com

Let's make one thing very clear: Ocelots are adorable. They're basically miniature jaguars, but what really makes them stand out is their huge eyes. You could swim in those things.

3. Margay (Leopardus wiedii)

Via costarica.com

If you could swim in an ocelot's eyes, you'd probably drown in a margay's. These felines are essentially ocelots that have had their heads shrunken without adjusting the eyes to match, resulting in one of the cutest faces you've ever seen.

2. Black-footed cat (Felis nigripes)

Via rhinolion.co.za

Look how cute this little guy is! Spotted, striped, booted, and fluffy all in one tiny little package.

1. Sand cat (Felis margarita)

Via en.wikipedia.org

And coming in at number one is... the sand cat! Where else could this little guy be ranked? With a disproportionately large head and even larger ears, no one could look at a sand cat without wanting to cuddle it to their face.