What is the best big cat?

Lion, tiger, jaguar, leopard and every cat big enough to argue about. Size, speed, bite and sheer presence all point to different winners, so pick the one you would call the best.

1

Lion

The only big cat that lives in social prides, and the one culture crowned king.

2

Tiger

The largest individuals of any cat species, striped and solitary.

3

Jaguar

The Americas' heaviest cat, with the strongest bite of any big cat.

4

Leopard

The most widespread big cat, famous for hauling kills into trees.

5

Cheetah

The fastest land animal, built entirely for the sprint.

6

Snow Leopard

The ghost of the high Himalaya, rarely seen in the wild.

7

Cougar

Also called puma or mountain lion, ranging from Canada to Patagonia.

8

Clouded Leopard

A tree-climbing cat with the longest canines relative to body size.

9

Eurasian Lynx

Europe's big cat, tufted-eared and quietly widespread.

10

Caracal

A desert cat that can leap three metres to swat birds from the air.

11

Serval

Long-legged African cat with the largest ears in proportion to its body.

12

Ocelot

A small spotted cat of the American tropics.