Felidae

Felidae is a family of carnivorous mammals. It includes small species such as domestic cats and wildcats, as well as larger species such as lions, leopards, jaguars, and tigers. All these species share a similar body structure: a short head, sharp teeth for eating meat, and retractable claws (with few exceptions).

Felidae species are found on most continents, except Australia and Antarctica (unless brought there by humans). They typically rely on hunting strategies involving stealth, stalking, and capturing prey with a single pounce.

Physical characteristics

Felidae have large forward-facing eyes, which allow them to judge distance accurately. The eyes contain a reflective layer (tapetum lucidum) that bounces light, enabling them to see in dim light. Their ears can rotate to locate sounds. Their tongues are covered with small rough projections (papillae) that help clean fur and strip flesh from bone. Two notable teeth are the long canines and the shearing carnassials.

Diet and hunting

Felidae are hypercarnivores: their bodies require nutrients found only in meat, such as the amino acid taurine, making it difficult for them to survive on non-meat diets. Most are solitary hunters; lions are the most familiar exception, hunting cooperatively within groups (prides).

Classification

Felidae are generally divided into two major groups: Pantherinae, which includes lions, leopards, jaguars, tigers, and snow leopards; and Felinae, which includes domestic cats, cheetahs, caracals, lynxes, and pumas. The most notable difference between the two groups is that some Pantherinae can roar, while most Felinae can only purr.

Relationship with humans

The domestic cat descended from wildcats of the Near East, domesticated by humans thousands of years ago, largely in association with grain storage and nearby rodents. Some larger species have experienced population decline due to habitat loss, illegal hunting, and conflict with livestock farmers.