Felidae - cats,
cheetahs, lions, tigers, leopards
 There are 38 species of cats in this family. Species in this family are found in all areas of the world, except for
Australia and Antarctica. They vary in size from the domestic cat to the lion. The members of this family are built for hunting. They
stalk, chase, and pounce on their prey. Unlike the claws found in most carnivores, the claws of species in the cat family are are retractable and can be drawn into their paws. This protects their sharp claws from wearing down. They have sharp canine teeth that help them kill their prey. Most species in this family sever the
spinal chord
of their prey with their canines. Species in this family have rounded heads and short muzzles. They have excellent eyesight and hearing and a good sense of smell. The big cats in this family, like the lion,
tiger, jaguar and leopard,
can roar, but they can not purr. The small cats in this family, along with the
pumas and the cheetah,
can purr, but they can't roar! Most species in this order are solitary and hunt at night. Species in this family include the
cheetah, the
caracal, the
Chinese desert cat, the
jaguarundi, the
ocelot, the
serval, the
Eurasian lynx, the
fishing cat, the
lion, the
tiger, and the
snow leopard.
 Endangered in N.H.
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 Threatened in N.H.
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 Introduced
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 Endangered in U.S.
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 Threatened in U.S.
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