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Felids

Felids are mammals in Felidae, the cat family. They include domestic cats, lions, tigers, leopards, jaguars, cheetahs, pumas and lynxes. Their sizes vary greatly, but all have adaptations for catching prey.

What do felids have in common?

  • Teeth specialised for eating animal food and bodies suited to hunting.
  • Well-developed senses used to find prey.
  • Claws and paws adapted for gripping, with differences between species.

Not all cats live in groups. Lions are well known for their social lives, while many other species are mainly solitary. Habitats also vary, including forests, savannas, dry regions and mountains.

Black panthers and cat species

A black panther is not a separate species: the name usually refers to a melanistic leopard or jaguar.

Felids and canids both belong to the wider group of mammals.