Family Felidae

Felids are specialized carnivores. Their main hunting method is stalking, followed by a quick sprint. Their diet almost exclusively consists of prey they have captured and killed. Almost all felids have retractable claws.

The Felidae family

are characterized by short and broad rostrums.
are known for their agility and highly developed sense of balance.
have teeth that are adapted for slicing and cutting flesh with the use of specialized premolars and molars know as the carnassial apparatus.
have eyes that contain a tapetum lucidum membrane that reflects light resulting in superior night vision.

References Fahey, B. and P. Myers. 2000. "Felidae" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. <http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Felidae.html>. Accessed October 28, 2009.

Forsyth, A. 1985. Mammals of the Canadian Wild. Camden House Publishing, Camden, Ontario.

Scotter, G. and Ulrich, T. 1995. Mammals of the Canadian Rockies. Fifth House, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

Note: The species listed within this family only represent species for which the Hubbard Collection has specimens. It does not represent all existing species within this family.