Dichotomous Key for Some Members of the Cat Family

The following dichotomous key is to be used with the listed cats.  It is to teach the skill of reading a basic dichotomous key.  Illustrations of the cat are at the bottom of the page.  The printable form of this page can be found by clicking on the button labeled "Science Readings and Worksheets."  If you have looked at this post before, thank you.  I have now improved the post.  There are now worksheets and printable illustrations.

Dichotomous Key For Some Members of the Cat Family

1A Has spots..................................................................................Go to 3

1B Does not have spots.............................................................Go to 2

2A Has stripes.................................................................................Go to 5

2B Does not have stripes............................................................Go to 6

3A Small cat w/ tufts of hair @ tips of pointed ears, very short         tail................................................................................................Lynx rufus

3B Larger cat w/  rounded ears................................................Go to 4

4A Heavily built cat, spots in groups of 3-4……Panthera pardus

4B Lighter built cat w/ spots not in groups…...Acinonyx jubatus

5A Heavily built large cat w/ black stripes……….Panthera tigris 

5B Small cat, yellow stripes, often a pet............Felis domesticus 

6A Large cat w/ hairy mane & tuft of hair at end of tail...........................................................................................Panthera leo

6B Tawny color, w/ no mane, black spot @ end of tail, BYU & Washington State University mascot…………............Puma concolor 

The animals' names are their scientific names or their Genus and species names.  The common names are:  

         Cougar, Bengal Tiger, Domestic Cat, Cheetah,
         Bobcat, African Lion, and Leopard.  

I will soon be posting the worksheets versions.  There are two pages and they are printable worksheets.  Click on the button up top that is labeled:  "Science Readings and Worksheets."

Dichotomous Key for Some Members of the Cat Family worksheet

Dichotomous Key for Some Members of the Cat Family illustrations

Below are the original illustrations that include these animals.  They can be found, in printable form, by clicking on the correct button up at the top of the blog page.  Then scroll down to find the correct title.  These drawings COULD be used as illustrations in a lesson on how to use a dichotomous key.   There is more than one for some of the animals.  You COULD print these drawings and have the students sort the drawings... and then have the students use the key to identify each cat in the drawings.  

Leopard in a Tree

Click on "Animals."  This is the only new drawing here.

Daniel in the Lion's Den

Click on "Religious."

Lion laying down with the Lamb

Click on "Religious."

Lion Family

Click on "Animals."

Fairy Arly with Bobcat Friend

Click on "Fantasy, Myths, and Circus."

Cheetahs stalking Topis

Click on "Animals." or "Religious."

Tiger in the Jungle

Click on "Animals."

Pipes as an Adult Cat

Click on "Animals."

Cougar by a Pine Tree

Click on "Animals."

Mountain Lion Walking

Click on "Animals."

Jaguar, attacking a Caiman

This big cat is not in the key, but I included it in case a teacher (or parent) 

wants to use it as another illustration in your lesson.  

Three Nephite Disciples in a den of Jaguars
These cats are not in the dichotomous key either, 
but students COULD be given this drawing and try to see if it is a Leopard.  
Hint:  You have to look at the spots.  
The spots are similar, but still different in Leopards and Jaguars.