WEBFelidae (/ ˈ f ɛ l ɪ d iː /) is the family of mammals in the order Carnivora colloquially referred to as cats.A member of this family is also called a felid (/ ˈ f iː l ɪ d /). The term "cat" refers both to felids in general and specifically to the domestic cat (Felis catus).. The 41 extant Felidae species exhibit the greatest diversity in fur patterns of all terrestrial carnivores.