Fauna

The "Fauna 2026" stamp issue depicts four species of endangered wild cats.

The tiger (Panthera tigris) is the largest cat species in the world. It lives in Asian jungles and on the islands of Sumatra and Java. Its fur is reddish-yellow with transverse black stripes. The female gives birth to one to seven cubs every 3 to 4 years.

The cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) today lives almost exclusively in Africa. It is the fastest land mammal. Its fur is grayish or yellow and covered with black spots. On the rear third of the tail, there are black rings. The female gives birth to one to three cubs.

The leopard (Panthera pardus) is a slender and agile cat that lives in Africa and Asia. Its base fur colour is yellow or reddish-brown and is interspersed with irregularly distributed dark ring-like spots. The female most often gives birth to two to three cubs that are blind and completely helpless. However, they grow quickly and already at the age of two to three months they begin to eat meat.

The jaguar (Panthera onca) is the largest American wild cat. Today it lives throughout South America and all the way to Patagonia. It has yellowish-brown fur with dark irregular spots and rings. The female gives birth to one to four cubs.

(Željka Šaravanja)