1. Sourcing
Every factual claim on this site must be traceable to a credible published source. Assessments, specialist group material, peer-reviewed studies and institutional profiles are used in the order described in our methodology. General-interest media and user-generated encyclopedias are not used as the sole support for any figure.
2. Accuracy over completeness
A blank field is better than a fabricated one. Where a measurement has not been taken, where a population has not been surveyed, or where a behaviour has been reported anecdotally but never documented, the page says so. We do not estimate to fill a gap, and we do not repeat a figure simply because it circulates widely.
3. Neutral description, no ranking
Species are described, not ranked. We do not publish hypothetical encounters between animals, "strongest", "deadliest" or "most dangerous" lists, or scores that reduce an animal to a number. Where one species is measurably larger or faster than another, we say so plainly, in the specific field where the difference exists, without implying superiority.
4. Language about animals
We avoid framing that attributes human motives to wild animals. Predation is described as ecology, not aggression. Conflict between people and cats is described in terms of the circumstances that produce it. Terms such as "man-eater" and "vermin" are not used in our own voice.
5. Uncertainty is stated, not implied
Hedging language is used to convey real uncertainty, never as filler. If a study is based on a small sample, that is stated. If two research groups disagree, that is stated. If a taxonomic split is recent or contested, that is stated.
6. Dating and review
Every species profile and featured comparison carries the date it was last checked. Pages are reviewed at least annually, and immediately when a new Red List assessment, a taxonomic revision or a significant population estimate is published.
7. Corrections
Errors are corrected promptly and openly under our corrections policy. Substantive corrections are noted on the affected page. We do not quietly amend a figure that changes the meaning of a page.
8. Independence from commercial interests
Editorial decisions are made by the editorial team alone. We do not accept payment for coverage, for favourable framing, or for links. No sponsor, advertiser or partner sees content before publication or has any right of review. If commercial arrangements are introduced in future, they will be disclosed clearly on the pages they affect and will not influence editorial content.
9. Illustrations and visual material
Species artwork is produced specifically for this library and is drawn to a consistent style so that comparisons are not distorted by differences in photographic framing. Illustrations are prepared from reference material and are checked for accuracy of proportion, coat pattern and posture. They are described as illustrations, never presented as photographic evidence.
10. Accessibility
Pages are built to be usable with a keyboard and with assistive technology. Meaning is never carried by colour alone: where the comparison tool marks a difference, it does so with text as well as with styling. Alternative text describes what an illustration shows.
11. Scope
We publish on wild felid species: their biology, ecology, distribution and conservation. We do not publish husbandry guidance, advice on keeping wild or hybrid cats as pets, or material on individual captive animals. Domestic cats appear only where they are relevant to a wild species, chiefly in the context of hybridisation.
12. Reader contributions
We welcome corrections and source suggestions, and we credit substantive contributions in the correction record where the contributor agrees. We do not publish unreviewed reader-submitted content as site material.