Cats are among the most popular and enigmatic animals. A common term used to describe these creatures is “feline.” This widely used descriptor for domestic cats and their wild relatives stems from a deep scientific and linguistic history. Understanding why cats are called felines reveals connections to their evolutionary past and shared biological traits.
The Origin of the Word
The term “feline” traces its roots back to ancient Latin. It derives from the Late Latin word “felinus,” meaning “of or belonging to a cat.” This, in turn, comes from the Latin word “feles,” which referred to a cat or wildcat. The English use of “feline” emerged in the late 1600s, with its earliest known appearance in the writings of botanist Nehemiah Grew in 1681.
Scientific Classification
The biological reason cats are called felines lies within their scientific classification. “Feline” refers specifically to any member of the animal family Felidae. This family is part of the larger order Carnivora, which includes all meat-eating mammals, and within that, the suborder Feliformia, encompassing cat-like carnivores. Domestic cats, scientifically known as Felis catus, belong to this family, fitting into the Felinae subfamily.
The Felidae family originated approximately 25 million years ago, with the earliest known felid genus, Proailurus, appearing in Eurasia. Today, this family includes around 41 distinct species, all sharing a common ancestry.
Defining Characteristics of Felids
Members of the Felidae family possess a suite of shared biological and behavioral characteristics that define them as felids. All felids are obligate carnivores, meaning their diet consists almost entirely of meat, a specialization supported by their anatomy. They have powerful, flexible bodies and muscular limbs, enabling them to stalk, chase, and pounce on prey. Their teeth are adapted for this carnivorous lifestyle, featuring sharp canines for killing and carnassial teeth for shearing meat.
Most felids exhibit retractable claws, which can be drawn into their paws to keep them sharp and protected until needed for hunting or climbing. An exception is the cheetah, whose claws are semi-retractable, remaining partially exposed to provide extra grip and traction for high-speed pursuits. Felids also possess highly developed senses, including sharp vision, sensitive hearing, and a keen sense of smell, aiding their predatory success. Their eyes, often large and forward-facing, provide binocular vision and have a reflective layer called the tapetum lucidum, enhancing their night vision.
Beyond Domestic Cats: Diverse Felids
The Felidae family encompasses a remarkable diversity of species that extend far beyond the familiar domestic cat. Prominent examples include the majestic lion, the striped tiger, the spotted leopard, and the agile jaguar, all belonging to the Pantherinae subfamily.
Other diverse felids, such as the swift cheetah, the adaptable puma, and various lynx species, are part of the Felinae subfamily. Despite their varied sizes, habitats, and hunting strategies, all these species share the fundamental “feline” characteristics that group them scientifically. From the smallest wildcats to the largest big cats, their shared ancestry and specialized adaptations for a predatory existence solidify their classification within the Felidae family.