List of Ten Wild Cat Species of Africa with Subspecies
The following list of the ten wild cat species of Africa comprises three big cat species and seven small cat species.
Details include the common name, scientific name (species name), subspecies and IUCN Red List status (@ Nov 2024).
Three of the wild cats are endemic to Africa (only occur in Africa) and the other seven wild cats also occur in Asia.
More African Cats Lists
Wild Cat Species of Africa with Subspecies
Wild Cat
Common name
Scientific name
IUCN Red List Status
Subspecies
1.
- Panthera leo leo - Central and West Africa and India
- Panthera leo melanochaita - Southern and Eastern Africa
2.
- Panthera pardus pardus - Africa
- Panthera pardus tulliana - South West Asia
- Panthera pardus fusca - India
- Panthera pardus kotiya - Sri Lanka
- Panthera pardus delacouri - South East Asia
- Panthera pardus orientalis - Eastern Asia
- Panthera pardus melas - Java
- Panthera pardus nimr - Arabia
3.
- Acinonyx jubatus jubatus - Southern and Eastern Africa
- Acinonyx jubatus hecki - West and North Africa
- Acinonyx jubatus soemmerringi - North East Africa
- Acinonyx jubatus venaticus - South West Asia and India
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4.
- Caracal caracal caracal - Southern and East Africa
- Caracal caracal nubicus - North and West Africa
- Caracal caracal schmitzi - Middle East to India
5.
- Leptailurus serval serval - Southern Africa
- Leptailurus serval constantina - West and Central Africa
- Leptailurus serval lipostictus - East Africa
6.
- Caracal aurata aurata - East and Central Africa
- Caracal aurata celidogaster - West Africa
7.
- Felis chaus chaus - Egypt and Middle East to Turkestan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Afghanistan
- Felis chaus affinis - East Afghanistan, Indian subcontinent and Sri Lanka
- Felis chaus fulvidina - SE Asia, including China
8.
- Felis lybica lybica - East, West and North Africa to the Middle East
- Felis lybica cafra - Southern Africa
- Felis lybica ornata - Asian range
9.
- Felis margarita margarita - North Africa
- Felis margarita thinobia - Southwest Asia and Arabian Peninsula
References
IUCN Red List Status: IUCN 2025. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2025-2. https://www.iucnredlist.org/.
Taxonomy: Kitchener et al. 2017. A revised taxonomy of the Felidae. The final report of the Cat Classification Task Force of the IUCN / SSC Cat Specialist Group. Cat News Special Issue 11, 80pp.
Africa’s Wild Cats: A Continent of Endemics and Global Wanderers
Africa is home to a remarkable diversity of wild cat species - ten in total - that span a range of habitats from dense rainforests to arid deserts. Three of these species are found nowhere else on Earth, while the remaining seven extend their range into the Middle East and Asia. This blend of endemic and wide-ranging species highlights Africa’s pivotal role in global wild cat conservation.
Africa’s Endemic Wild Cats
Only three wild cat species are endemic to Africa, meaning they are found exclusively on the continent.
African Golden Cat (Caracal aurata)
This elusive forest-dweller is confined to the tropical rainforests of West and Central Africa. It has two recognized subspecies: C. c. celidogaster in West Africa and C. c. aurata in East and Central Africa, divided by the Congo River. Its range spans from Senegal and Sierra Leone through the Democratic Republic of Congo to Uganda and possibly Kenya, but it is absent from southern and northern Africa.
Black-footed Cat (Felis nigripes)
Africa’s smallest wild cat is also one of its most specialized. Endemic to Southern Africa, it inhabits arid steppes and grasslands in South Africa, Botswana, and Namibia, with marginal presence in Zimbabwe and southern Angola. Although two subspecies were previously proposed, recent taxonomic revisions suggest insufficient variation to substantiate a subspecies division, and just a northern and southern race is more valid.
Serval (Leptailurus serval)
This long-legged, spotted cat thrives in wetlands and grasslands across sub-Saharan Africa. It is absent from dense tropical forests and the Sahara. Three subspecies are recognized: L. s. serval in Southern Africa, L. s. lipostictus in East Africa, and L. s. constantina in West and Central Africa. The serval's range does not extend beyond Africa.
Africa’s Globally Ranging Wild Cats
The other seven wild cat species found in Africa also inhabit parts of the Middle East and Asia, showcasing their adaptability to diverse environments.
African Wildcat (Felis lybica)
This ancestor of the domestic cat is widespread across Africa, excluding dense rainforests and the Sahara. It extends into the Middle East and Central Asia. Two subspecies are recognized in Africa: F. l. lybica in North, East and West Africa, and F. l. cafra in Southern Africa.
Caracal (Caracal caracal)
Known for its distinctive tufted ears, the caracal ranges across sub-Saharan Africa, North Africa, the Middle East, and into Central and South Asia. It inhabits a variety of environments, from dry savannas to mountainous regions. Two African subspecies are recognized: C. c. caracal in Southern and East Africa and C. c. nubica in North and West Africa.
Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus)
The fastest land animal, the cheetah is found in parts of Eastern, Southern, and Northern Africa, as well as in Iran. Three African subspecies are recognized: A. j. jubatus in Southern and East Africa, A. j. soemmeringii in Northeast Africa and A. j. hecki in Northwest Africa. The Asiatic cheetah (A. j. venaticus) of Iran is critically endangered, with fewer than 50 individuals remaining.
Jungle Cat (Felis chaus)
Primarily an Asian species, the jungle cat's range extends into northeastern Africa, including Egypt and Sudan. It prefers wetlands and dense vegetation near water bodies. The subspecies in Africa is F. c. chaus (Western Jungle Cat).
Leopard (Panthera pardus)
Leopards have the broadest distribution of any wild cat, found throughout sub-Saharan Africa, North Africa, the Middle East, and across Asia to the Russian Far East. Eight subspecies are recognized, with the African leopard (P. p. pardus) being the most widespread on the continent.
Lion (Panthera leo)
Once widespread across Africa, the Middle East, and parts of Asia, lions are now primarily found in sub-Saharan Africa, with a small population in India's Gir Forest. Two subspecies are recognized: the African lion (P. l. leo) and the Asiatic lion (P. l. persica). Recent discoveries, such as a hidden population in Ethiopia's Alatash National Park, highlight the importance of continued conservation efforts.
Sand Cat (Felis margarita)
Adapted to desert life, the sand cat inhabits the Sahara in North Africa, the Arabian Peninsula and parts of Central Asia. Two subspecies are recognized - the African Sand cat F. m. margarita and the Asian Sand cat F. m. thinobia. Its distribution is patchy, reflecting the fragmented nature of suitable desert habitats.
Africa's wild cats exemplify the continent's rich biodiversity, with species ranging from exclusive endemics to globally distributed felines. Understanding their distribution and subspecies distinctions is crucial for effective conservation strategies, ensuring these remarkable animals continue to thrive both within Africa and beyond.