felids

Felids, or members of the family Felidae, are a group of carnivorous mammals in the order Carnivora. The family is divided into two main subfamilies: Pantherinae, which includes the genera Panthera (lions, tigers, leopards, jaguars) and Neofelis (clouded leopards); and Felinae, which contains most other cats such as Acinonyx (cheetah), Puma, Lynx, Leopardus, Prionailurus, and Felis. Felids are characterized by sharp teeth and retractable claws, highly developed senses, and a body plan adapted for stealth and precision hunting.

Felids are primarily obligate carnivores with a strong emphasis on efficient meat-based nutrition. They typically exhibit solitary and territorial behavior, though social structures vary by species. Common traits include agile locomotion, acute vision and hearing, and a skull and jaw morphology suitable for delivering precise, high-velocity bites. Reproductive strategies range from nocturnal and stealthy to more open, depending on species, with parental care provided mainly by the mother.

Distribution, ecology, and conservation: Felids inhabit a wide range of environments across Africa, Eurasia, the Americas, and parts of Southeast Asia. Domestic cats (Felis catus) are widely kept as pets, while wild felids occupy habitats from forests and grasslands to deserts and mountains. Many wild felid species face threats from habitat loss, prey depletion, and human-wildlife conflict, leading to status assessments ranging from vulnerable to endangered. Key conservation focuses include habitat protection, prey management, and reducing human–felid conflicts.

Evolution and taxonomy: Felidae traces its origins to the Miocene, with diversification into the Pantherinae and Felinae lineages. The domestic cat lineage descends from Felis silvestris lybica, domesticated in the Near East several thousand years ago.