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Site Contents
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Caiman Hunter
Big Cats Rescues
Click the appropriate link for:
As carnivores, cats are at the top of the biological "food chain". Miacids, the first true carnivores, lived some 60 million years ago. The Miacids gave rise to the Viverravines, from which the 'cat family' ultimately evolved. Today there exist three genera of the family Felidae. A fourth genera, Smilodon, the sabre-toothed species, became extinct about 9,400 years ago, and had no ancestral ties to the cats we know today. Taxonomically, the Cat consists of 38 recognized species of cats; six greater cats, one cheetah, and 31 lesser cats, including the domestic cat, of which there are 40 plus recognized breeds. Of the original 8 species of tiger, only 5 remain. Sadly, these magnificent cats are teetering on the brink of extinction, largely due to poaching and loss of habitat. Lions are the only "social" cat species, living in groups called "prides". The day is fast approaching when these magnificent cats will no longer exist in the wild. The decline of wild cats can be blamed on the impact of humans on their environment. Because wild cats are at the top of the food chain, their demise will most certainly have a devastating effect on ecology. Some big cats have become extinct because they were replaced with newer species better suited to the environment. The Sabre-tooth is one example of a large Ice-Age predator that died out because the large prey it needed died out, as well. Natural extinction is part of the grand drama of life on Earth. However, many more cat species are in danger of dying out due to unnatural extinction; the killing of an entire species for reasons having nothing to do with fitness or survival. These species are not replaced with new ones, their death merely leaves a hole on the planet Earth. People who defy existing laws and kill cats for money, animal parts, or personal reasons, are called poachers. Poachers are outlaws. As outlaws, poachers are dangerous people who are willing to protect their livelihood through violent means. Conservationists George Adamson and Diane Fossey were killed by poachers. Stopping poaching is very difficult because big cat habitat is remote and difficult to patrol. The most effective way to curb poaching is to reduce the demand for the products they provide. Boycott, or at least refuse to buy, medicines, furs or trophies related to any type of cat. For more information, visit any of the following, or
search for yourself. International Exotic
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*If you have problem caimans you want to get rid of, if they get too big for you to handle or information you'd like to share click here.*
Feeding and Growth Chart can be found here.
For Sales, Rescues or Adoptions of any of our reptiles, please view our Liability Waiver found here.
*Download a free caiman screensaver!*
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