Many different species of mammal can be classified as cats in the United States. These include domestic cat, of the species Felis catus; medium-sized wild cats from the genus Lynx; and big cats from the genera Puma and Panthera. Domestic cats vastly outnumber wild cats in the United States.
Prehistoric cats
At least 67 species of sabertoothed cats existed in North America between 42 million and 11 thousand years ago before going extinct. Their disappearance can be attributed to both the changing climate at the end of the Ice Age and the appearance of humans in the Americas. Some prehistoric animals referred to as "saber-toothed cats" were in fact marsupials and not cats at all, but called such because of their resemblance to true felines with large canine teeth and because “saber-toothed marsupials” didn’t sound nearly as cool.
Big cats
Two main species of big cat once inhabited the United States. One is the jaguar, which is related to many species of big cat found on other continents. Although jaguars used to be found in the southwestern U.S., now, despite some unconfirmed sightings, the furthest north the jaguar is known to roam in North America is central Mexico, although it is found throughout most of South America, its territorial limit being lands further south than northern Argentina. The other North American 'big cat' is the cougar, which is also known as the puma, mountain lion, catamount, and many, many other names. Despite weighing 70 kg. on average and being called a 'mountain lion,' the cougar is not a member of Panthera and is more closely related to the domesticated cat than it is to lions. Cougars can be found throughout South America, Mexico, the western half of the U.S., and southwestern Canada. They once also roamed eastern North America, but are now confined to Florida in the U.S.
Wild cats
Three mammal species in the United States are referred to as "wild cats": the ocelot, the Canadian lynx, and the bobcat. However, none of these animals belong to Felis, the genus of the wildcat proper and the domestic cat. The ocelot is in the genus Leopardus, small spotted cats that mostly inhabit Middle and South America, while the lynx and bobcat are both in the genus Lynx. A smaller cat than any of the above, the Jaguarundi, although mostly found in Central and South America, also occurs near the lower Rio Grande Valley in the southern tip of Texas. Being a near relative of the American cougar, the Jaguarundi is more closely related to true wildcats then the other cats mentioned here.
Domestic cats
The domestic cat, Felis catus or F. silvestris catus, is a popular pet, with an estimated 93.5 million cats kept as pets; about one third of all households in the United States keeping at least one. Eighty-seven percent of owned cats are spayed or neutered The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention does not require a certificate of health for cats brought into the United States, but cats are subject to inspection at ports of entry and may be denied entry. Cats must be quarantined regardless of place of origin when brought into Hawaii and Guam.
