This group of animals is one of the most popular of all the Zoo animals. There are 7 species in this category and Sierra Safari Zoo has 3 of them -- Lions, Tigers and Leopards. The difference between the Big and Small Cats is that the Big Cats can roar, but can not purr, which is the opposite for Small Cats.

African Lions
(Panthera Leo)

African lions are from the sub-Sahara in Africa. The male roars can be heard up to five miles away and is used to warn off predators, and reunite pride members. The female does all the hunting, but the males are the ones who eat first, followed by the females and then cubs.

Lions are very social and most live in prides, which can number anywhere from five to thirty seven, and are closely related to one another. Kenya is our oldest male lion, he was born in June of 1996, and has a dark black/brown mane that goes all the way down his belly. He loves to socialize with the volunteers and will let them scratch his mane and his body through the fence. Sierra is our oldest lioness and was born in May of 1995. She loves to lie around and is quite sweet tempered. Jambo is Kenya and Sierra's son and was born on May 11, 2000. He loves to play, see his dad when he can. He is pretty much a big baby, whining when he doesn't want to move or slowly walking to his food, but he is easily one of the most lovable animals at our Zoo for those same reasons. Serena is the youngest. She was born in 2002 and has been a joy ever since. She is very vocal and loves to be scratched and given attention. She loves to play and sneak up on you when you're outside her enclosure. She is full of energy and always says hello.

Sierra the lioness

Tigers

White Siberian and Siberian Tigers
(Panthera tigris)

Siberian tigers are found in isolated regions of Siberia abd China. Tigers roar to attract members of the opposite sex, but also to challenge other tigers at long range and defend their territory. Tiger are excellent swimmers and will spend many hours lying or standing in streams when the weather is hot.

Tasha

Our Siberian Tiger Tasha was born March 15, 1996. She loves to run along the fenceline with you and loves the water too. She is beautiful and looks awesome against snow. She will chuff , as all tigers do, as a greeting or welcome.
Nickolai is our White tiger. White tigers are quite rare in that both the male and female must carry the exact right gene to produce the white coloring. And most time when you go to see him, you will find him sitting in a tub of water!!

Nickolai

Leopards

Sundar

Tarha

Leopard
(Panthera pardus)

In form the leopard is average among the large cats -- slender and delicate compared with the jaguar and sturdy and solid in comparison with the cheetah. There are various aberrant coat patterns. One of the commonest and most striking alternative is melanism, which make the leopard totally black. The recessive gene responsible for this condition is apparently more frequent among leopard populations that live in forests and mountainous regions, and in Asia. In the Malay Peninsula as many as 50% of the leopards may be black: elsewhere the proportions are much lower. The name "Black Panther" is sometimes erroneously applied to such animals in the belief that they are a distinct species. Several other cat species, including the jaguar and serval, also exhibit melanism.

Sundar, our male was born in February 2001 and Tara, the female, was born in March of 2001.

Think it's good to be King?

Is a crouching Tiger a hidden passion?

These items can stir the roar in our "Big Cats" --

Item# FTR19S --19 in. Feeder Tire
The Feeder Tire makes a great enrichment puzzle device for primates, small bears, elephants and other animals. Suspend the tire and fill it with treats or fruit slices. Each Feeder Tire has three, easy to fill, 1 1/2'' holes in the interior of the tire to encourage play and problem-solving. Made from safe, non-toxic durable plastic in natural looking sandstone to blend in with exhibits and displays.

Item # SAFARI30TAN --30 in. Tan Safari Ball
This super-tough enrichment toy is the ideal choice for all large exotic animals. At a weight of 50lbs., this 30'' ball is ideal for providing exercise for Tigers, Bears, Ligers and other large animals. The Safari Ball has the thickest sidewall in the industry at over 5/8'', and a fill plug to allow filling with water or sand. When empty, this ball will also float! Also comes in White color --#SAFARI30WHT

19 inch Feeder Tire

30 inch White Safari Ball