The current classification (2017) of the Felidae family was reviewed by a panel of 22 experts which make up the Cat Classification Task Force (CCTF) of the IUCN Cat Specialist Group. This classification of the Felidae will be reviewed every five years unless a major new piece of research requires a more rapid revision for the benefit of wild cats at risk of extinction.
A total of 14 genera, 41 species and 77 subspecies is recognized by the CCTF.
Genus Caracal
African golden cat (Caracal aurata) – 2 subspecies
Caracal (Caracal caracal) – 3 subspecies
Genus Leptailurus
Serval (Leptailurus serval) – 3 subspecies
Genus Leopardus
Pampas Cat (Leopardus colocolo) – 7 subspecies
Geoffroy’s Cat (Leopardus geoffroyi)
Kodkod/Guigna (Leopardus guigna) – 2 subspecies
Northern Tiger Cat (Leopardus tigrinus) – 2 subspecies
Southern Tiger Cat (Leopardus guttulus)
Clouded Tiger Cat (Leopardus paranoides)
Margay (Leopardus wiedii) – 3 subspecies
Ocelot (Leopardus pardalis) – 2 subspecies
Andean Cat – (Leopardus jacobita)
Genus Catompuma
Bay Cat (Catopuma badia)
Asian Golden Cat (Catopuma temminckii) – 2 subspecies
Genus Pardofelis
Marbled Cat (Pardofelis marmorata) – 2 subspecies
Genus Lynx
Canada Lynx (Lynx canadensis)
Eurasian Lynx (Lynx lynx) – 6 subspecies
Iberian Lynx (Lynx pardinus)
Bobcat (Lynx rufus) – 2 subspecies
Genus Herpailurus
Jaguarundi (Herpailurus yagouaroundi)
Genus Prionailurus
Leopard Cat (Prionailurus bengalensis) – 2 subspecies
Javan Leopard Cat (Prionailurus javanensis) – 2 subspecies
Flat-headed Cat (Prionailurus planiceps)
Rusty-spotted Cat (Prionailurus rubiginosus) – 3 subspecies
Fishing Cat (Prionailurus viverrinus) – 2 subspecies
Genus Otocolobus
Pallas’ Cat (Otocolobus manul) – 2 subspecies
Genus Felis
Chinese Mountain Cat (Felis bieti)
Jungle Cat (Felis chaus) – 3 subspecies
African Wildcat (Felis lybica) – 3 subspecies
European Wildcat (Felis silvestris) – 2 subspecies
Black-footed Cat (Felis nigripes)
Sand Cat (Felis margarita) – 2 subspecies
Domestic cat (Felis catus)
Genus Neofelis
Clouded Leopard (Neofelis nebulosa)
Sunda Clouded Leopard (Neofelis diardi) – 2 subspecies
Genus Acinonyx
Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) – 4 subspecies
Genus Puma
Cougar/Mountain Lion (Puma concolor) – 2 subspecies
Genus Panthera
Lion (Panthera leo) – 2 subspecies
Jaguar (Panthera onca)
Leopard (Panthera pardus) – 8 subspecies
Tiger (Panthera tigris) – 2 subspecies
Snow Leopard (Panthera uncia)
Updated 2024