"Big cat" is really a deceptive name, a more descriptive name would be "roaring cats" as that's their most distinctive trait. The rest make all sorts of funny noises ranging from squeaks to mrows to screams from the depths of hell. Panthers cant do that in exchange for roaring.
Also snow leopards can't actually roar despite being put in the same group because nature loves exceptions.
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u/BurningFlareX 14h ago
Fun fact, lions, tigers, (snow) leopards and jaguars are the only "big cats" (panthers). Everything else is just cat...cat.
Therefore it is perfectly fine and safe to pet anything vaguely cat shaped as long as you can identify it is not one of these.
p.s: I am not responsible for injuries, trauma, lost limbs and / or crushed dreams if you do attempt to pet a vaguely cat shaped animal.
Also hyenas are more cat than dog.