Big Cat Facts

The big cats are the four members of the genus panthera. These cats are unique not only in sheer size, but also in their ability to roar. A specialized larynx and a unique part of the throat called a hyoid apparatus allows for the production of a true, deep roaring sound. 

While the cougar, cheetah, snow leopard and clouded leopard are also fairly large, and occasionally included in this group, their larynx creates more of a combination hiss/snarl sound without the bass tone of a real roar.

The snow leopard has been included in the genus panthera since 2008, but there is some controversy over moving them from their own genus, uncia, and many biologists still insist the snow leopard is a separate genus.

                Just as scientific folks debated for years whether a panda was a bear or not, this discussion may have nine lives as well.

Other differences in the genus panthera involve skull and eye-socket structure and variations in life-cycle and reproductive system. - Big Cat Facts

While the cougar, cheetah, snow leopard and clouded leopard are also fairly large, and occasionally included in this group, their larynx creates more of a combination hiss/snarl sound without the bass tone of a real roar.

The snow leopard has been included in the genus panthera since 2008, but there is some controversy over moving them from their own genus, uncia, and many biologists still insist the snow leopard is a separate genus.

                Just as scientific folks debated for years whether a panda was a bear or not, this discussion may have nine lives as well.

Other differences in the genus panthera involve skull and eye-socket structure and variations in life-cycle and reproductive system. - Big Cat Facts