What is the biggest cat in the world? Smallest and largest breeds

There are 41 species that fall under the Felidae – or cat – family, according to the International Society for Endangered Cats.

No matter its size, your cat probably acts like it's an apex predator or the alpha of your home.
Even the smallest domestic cat breed – the Singapura – might become rambunctious or territorial.

On the opposite side of the scale, there are several "big cat" species known for their size.
But there's no need to go on a safari ride, the largest domestic cat breed could be roaming around your living room.

What is the biggest cat in the world?

Tigers are the largest cat species, according to the Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute.
These large felines share nearly all but 4.4% of their DNA with domestic cats, National Geographic reports. 

In particular, Amur – or Siberian – tigers are the heftiest subspecies.
Males can weigh up to 660 pounds and measure up to 10 feet in length from nose to the tip of the tail, Smithsonian reports.
Females can weigh between 220 to 370 pounds and reach 9 feet in length, according to the Denver Zoo.

The smallest tiger subspecies is still sizable with Sumatran tigers averaging around 310 pounds and 8 feet, Smithsonian reports.

Tigers can be found in a diverse range of habitats, from tropical rainforests to savannas, according to the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF). Tigers' other habitats include evergreen and temperate forests, grasslands and mangrove swamps. These big cats' can be found from south and southeast Asia – in India, Nepal and Bhutan – up to the northeastern regions of the continent in China and Russia.

The endangered animals face high risks of extinction, including poaching.
Estimates approximate that just 5,574 tigers are left in the wild, according to the WWF.

What is world's smallest cat?Get to know the tiniest cat species, breed

What is the largest cat breed?

You can't keep a tiger as a pet, but you can own one of its domesticated cousins.
The Maine Coon is considered one of the largest domestic cat breeds, according to Purina.

On average, the felines weigh between 10.6 to 18 pounds, and in some cases, they may scale up to 20 pounds, Purina reports.
Maine Coons can reach 40 inches in length.

The longest domestic cat ever was a Maine Coon named Stewie, according to the Guinness Book of World Records.
He measured 48.5 inches in length.
Stewie died in 2013.

A different Maine Coon named Altair holds the record for the longest tail on a living domestic cat.
Altair's tail spans 16.07 inches, the Guinness Book of World Records reports.

Other honorable mentions for largest breed include the Persian, Savannah cat, Norwegian Forest cat and Turkish Van, according to Purina.

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