Felidae
Felidae
Felidae (/fɪˈliːdeɪ/; from Latin, felis, "cat") is a family of mammals in the order Carnivora, colloquially referred to as cats. A member of this family is also called a felid.
Etymology
The term "Felidae" is derived from the Latin word "felis" which translates to "cat". The suffix "-idae" is a common ending in scientific names used to denote a family.
Taxonomy
The Felidae family is part of the order Carnivora. Felidae is divided into two subfamilies: Pantherinae which includes the tiger, lion, jaguar, leopard, snow leopard, and Felinae which includes the cougar, cheetah, lynxes, ocelot and domestic cats.
Characteristics
Felidae species exhibit a high degree of similarity in their physical characteristics, all possessing a compact body and a strong, flexible spine. They are all obligate carnivores, and are highly specialized for this diet, with specialized teeth and a unique digestive system.
Related Terms
- Carnivora: The order to which Felidae belongs.
- Pantherinae: A subfamily within the Felidae family.
- Felinae: Another subfamily within the Felidae family.
- Obligate Carnivores: A term describing animals that must eat meat in order to thrive.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Felidae
- Wikipedia's article - Felidae
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