Felidae, from Latin fēlis (“cat”), in reference to the fact that all the members of this family are cat-related animals.

Common names of members

Domestic cats, leopards, tigers, lions, lynxes, ocelots, servals, cougars.

Distribution

All continents except Antarctica, Australia, and most oceanic islands.

Size

They vary in size from 35 cm in length and 900 g to 3 m and 260 kg.

Morphology

Relatively less teeth and shorter skull compared to other members in Carnivora. Most of them have large eyes with excellent vision for them to hunt at night. They are digitigrade (stands with its toes on the ground) and have five toes on their forefeet and four on their hind feet. Their curved claws are protractile. Their noses project slightly beyond the lower jaw. The colour, length and density of their fur are very diverse. Fur colour covers the gamut from white to black, and fur patterns from distinctive small spots, and stripes to small blotches and rosettes. In the great majority of cat species, the tail is between a third and a half of the body length.

Habitat & Ecology

Terrestrial habitats: forests, savanna, mountains, etc.

Diet

They are all obligate carnivores, preying on almost any animal possible.

Reproduction

Most are polygynous (one male mating with multiple females). Male often fight for their own territory and will mate with females within their territory. They are continuous breeders which can give birth at any time of the year. Except for lions, male in felidae will not take care of their offspring. The cubs are raised by their mother solely. While the mothers go hunting, she will hide the cubs.

Species known in Hong Kong

1

Total species known

42

Species in the collection

0

Species in Hong Kong

1

Reference

-Sunquist, M., Sunquist, F. (2002). Wild Cats of the World. The University of Chicago Press.

Pocock, R. I. (1917). VII. — On the external characters of the Felidæ. Annals and Magazine of Natural History, 19(109), 113-136. https://doi.org/10.1080/00222931709486916.