Cat Claw Assortment

Cats need your help! While the domestic cat has done very well for itself, many cat species are threatened or endangered due to poaching and habitat destruction. It is my goal to raise awareness of cats by providing these models so people think more about the uniqueness of these magnificent animals and are hopefully inspired to help them. Be sure to check out my other cat claw models!

This is a collection of various life-size cat claws from species around the world. Their similarities and differences reveal the common ancestry and ecological role of these animals, while their subtle differences highlight their specializations. The claws are arranged from largest base to smallest. Beginning with the largest:
Panthera tigris altaica (Siberian tiger)
Panthera leo (lion)
Panthera onca (jaguar)
Puma concolor (cougar/puma/mountain lion)
Panthera pardus (leopard)
Lynx lynx (Siberian lynx)
Acinonyx jubatus (cheetah)
Lynx pardinus (Iberian lynx)
Lynx rufus (bobcat)
Felis catus (house cat)

Cats are obligate carnivores (also known as hypercarnivores) meaning that meat makes up the vast majority of their food intake. As that meat comes from animals which generally prefer not to be eaten, cats have had to evolve into very efficient hunting machines. Every feature of their bodies, from lithe, muscular limbs to sensitive whiskers on the face, is fine-tuned for catching prey.

One of a cat's most important adaptations is its protractile claws. That is, the claws are retracted in their resting state, and the cat can extend them at will. This keeps the claws protected when not in use, so they can be maintained at their maximum sharpness. Cat claws are made of keratin (the same material as human fingernails), and are used in grooming, territorial marking, climbing, and (of course) hunting.