Cats: Family Felidae

An overview of the great cats

Cats in the family Felidae are almost exclusively predators on mammals and birds (although some like the Asian flat-headed cat and fishing cat will eat fish, frogs, and mollusks). Most of these cats are also nocturnal predators, stalking their prey or pouncing from an ambush. These cats have fascinated humans for centuries. They are elusive and rarely seen. Yet, while humans may be intrigued by these predators, they are also the cause of their demise. Large cats are endangered all over the world from poaching and habitat loss.

The Largest and Smallest Cats

The largest cats are the siberian tigers, which can reach almost 700 lbs. The smallest are the black-footed cats of Africa which are only about 4 lbs.

Classification

The following is a list of extant species in the family Felidae. This classification scheme represents traditional phylogeny. Modern genetic studies have grouped several genera together. However, that taxonomic scheme is not represented here.

Genus Felis