Although formally considered a continent in its own right, Europe forms part of the Eurasian land mass. For its size, being the second smallest of the continents, it has the greatest density of population. The majority of the once expansive deciduous and coniferous woodlands have been cleared and now exist to any degree of density only to the north and east of the continent. The climatic range is generally moderate - having cool winters and mild summers - and warms considerably in the south-east where it borders the Middle Eastern countries. The Middle East itself forms a climactic and cultural bridge between Europe, the continent of Africa to the south and Asia to the east.The Eurasian or Northern lynx is generally much larger than its Canadian counterpart and in 
coloration and marking, more noticeably spotted - although this varies extensively with its location. The Eurasian lynx was once found in the forested areas throughout most of Europe, the Middle East and Asia. However today the range of the cat has been drastically reduced in Europe and they are only to be found in some of the northern countries, parts of Greece and Czechoslovakia. Recently the cat has been reintroduced to parts of Germany, Switzerland and Austria, where it is beginning to re-establish. In these areas though, local farmers and game hunters are suggesting that the cat is competing for farm animals and deer population. Monitoring of the lynx by conservation authorities in these areas continues to gain more information on the cats hunting behaviour and the debate, which is common in areas were the interests of wild cat populations is at odds with local inhabitants, seems set to continue.
coloration and marking, more noticeably spotted - although this varies extensively with its location. The Eurasian lynx was once found in the forested areas throughout most of Europe, the Middle East and Asia. However today the range of the cat has been drastically reduced in Europe and they are only to be found in some of the northern countries, parts of Greece and Czechoslovakia. Recently the cat has been reintroduced to parts of Germany, Switzerland and Austria, where it is beginning to re-establish. In these areas though, local farmers and game hunters are suggesting that the cat is competing for farm animals and deer population. Monitoring of the lynx by conservation authorities in these areas continues to gain more information on the cats hunting behaviour and the debate, which is common in areas were the interests of wild cat populations is at odds with local inhabitants, seems set to continue.The European or Forest Wildcat as it is often called, was once found throughout Europe and is 
considered by some to be the oldest form of the species - limited fossil records indicate an ancestral link to Martelli's Wildcat dating back to the Early Pleistocene period . During the past 300 years the range of the European wildcat, through pressures bought about by hunting and the spread of human population, has been significantly reduced. Today the cat is only to be found in scattered populations in parts of France, Germany, Belgium, Spain, Portugal, Italy, the United Kingdom, Greece, parts of Eastern Europe and countries around the Black Sea to west of the Caspian Sea - several island populations, such as those found on Sardinia, Crete and other Mediterranean islands are also recognised as part of the European group by some, whilst others maintain a closer link to the lybica group (African wildcat).
considered by some to be the oldest form of the species - limited fossil records indicate an ancestral link to Martelli's Wildcat dating back to the Early Pleistocene period . During the past 300 years the range of the European wildcat, through pressures bought about by hunting and the spread of human population, has been significantly reduced. Today the cat is only to be found in scattered populations in parts of France, Germany, Belgium, Spain, Portugal, Italy, the United Kingdom, Greece, parts of Eastern Europe and countries around the Black Sea to west of the Caspian Sea - several island populations, such as those found on Sardinia, Crete and other Mediterranean islands are also recognised as part of the European group by some, whilst others maintain a closer link to the lybica group (African wildcat).The jungle cat is found across a wide geographic area, ranging form Egypt, the Middle East,
Parts of Southern Asia through to western China. In the west of its range, contrary to its name, the jungle cat is found mostly in open grasslands, and marshy ground close to rivers – here the cat is alternatively known as the Swamp Cat or Reed Cat. Further east, through into India and South East Asia, the species inhabits a greater range of habitats which, as well as marsh and swampland on forest margins, also includes tropical deciduous and evergreen forest. However, the jungle cat is not found in the denser tropical rain forests as its name might suggest. The jungle cat is not a particularly shy creature and can be often found close to human habitation, hunting in crop fields and plantations for small rodents. In India, it has been reported to inhabit disused buildings on the edge of human settlements.The leopard is most easily recognised by its rosette patterned coat and extremely long, darker 
tail. This large cat is sometimes confused in appearance with the South American Jaguar - the leopard though is less stocky and unlike the jaguar, its rosette markings are generally smaller and have no internal spots. The overall size of the leopard depends very much on the subspecies and location, with the largest animals growing to a length of nearly 5 feet with an additional tail length of some 3 feet - generally the male is between 20-40% larger than the female. The base coloration of the coat also varies greatly depending upon location, ranging from golden/yellow in open grasslands, through yellow/cream in desert areas to deep gold in mountain and forest regions. All black or melanistic leopards, sometimes commonly called 'Black Panthers' (see below), are born in the same litter as normally marked cats and also carry the rosette markings, although these are masked by the darkness of the fur. It has been observed that the melantistic leopard is most generally found in the dense, wet forested areas of India and south east Asia, where the coloration advantages the cat in its hunting.
tail. This large cat is sometimes confused in appearance with the South American Jaguar - the leopard though is less stocky and unlike the jaguar, its rosette markings are generally smaller and have no internal spots. The overall size of the leopard depends very much on the subspecies and location, with the largest animals growing to a length of nearly 5 feet with an additional tail length of some 3 feet - generally the male is between 20-40% larger than the female. The base coloration of the coat also varies greatly depending upon location, ranging from golden/yellow in open grasslands, through yellow/cream in desert areas to deep gold in mountain and forest regions. All black or melanistic leopards, sometimes commonly called 'Black Panthers' (see below), are born in the same litter as normally marked cats and also carry the rosette markings, although these are masked by the darkness of the fur. It has been observed that the melantistic leopard is most generally found in the dense, wet forested areas of India and south east Asia, where the coloration advantages the cat in its hunting.As its name implies the sand cat is commonly found in sandy desert areas in the arid countries of
Northern Africa, Arabia and parts of Central Asia and Pakistan - sand cats indigenous to each of these areas are catorgorised as sub species, respectively, Felis margarita margarita (North Africa), Felis margarita harrisoni (Arabian Peninsula), Felis margarita thinobia (west of the Caspian Sea) and Felis margarita scheffeli (Pakistan). Due to its fragmented distribution across the Saharan part of its range some experts sub-catogarise the North African species of the sand cat into further distinct sub-species - Felis margarita airensis (Niger) and Felis margarita meinertzhageni (Sahara) - however due to the difficulty in obtaining accurate population figures and accurate scientific data of cats in open desert areas, exact classification is uncertain.
Northern Africa, Arabia and parts of Central Asia and Pakistan - sand cats indigenous to each of these areas are catorgorised as sub species, respectively, Felis margarita margarita (North Africa), Felis margarita harrisoni (Arabian Peninsula), Felis margarita thinobia (west of the Caspian Sea) and Felis margarita scheffeli (Pakistan). Due to its fragmented distribution across the Saharan part of its range some experts sub-catogarise the North African species of the sand cat into further distinct sub-species - Felis margarita airensis (Niger) and Felis margarita meinertzhageni (Sahara) - however due to the difficulty in obtaining accurate population figures and accurate scientific data of cats in open desert areas, exact classification is uncertain. To some the Spanish lynx is not a valid species but a sub species of the Eurasian lynx, however 
they are generally smaller than their northern counterparts and their yellow/brown coat is lighter in colour and the spotted markings more noticeable. The main prey of the spanish lynx is, as with its canadian counterpart, various species of hare and rabbit, although deer and wildfowl are also taken.
Less successful than their close neighbours, the Pardel lynx, as it is sometimes known, is now threatened with extinction in its wild habitat. Hunted heavily for its coat and as a predator of livestock, the Spanish lynx is extremely rare and on the Iberian peninsular can only be found in and around the Cota Donana reserve in the south of Spain and in very isolated parts of Portugal. Although the animal is protect in the reserve it is still legal to hunt it elsewhere.
they are generally smaller than their northern counterparts and their yellow/brown coat is lighter in colour and the spotted markings more noticeable. The main prey of the spanish lynx is, as with its canadian counterpart, various species of hare and rabbit, although deer and wildfowl are also taken.Less successful than their close neighbours, the Pardel lynx, as it is sometimes known, is now threatened with extinction in its wild habitat. Hunted heavily for its coat and as a predator of livestock, the Spanish lynx is extremely rare and on the Iberian peninsular can only be found in and around the Cota Donana reserve in the south of Spain and in very isolated parts of Portugal. Although the animal is protect in the reserve it is still legal to hunt it elsewhere.
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