All the different animals of this great family are alike in having
short, powerful jaws armed with sharp teeth, and a rough bristling
tongue, which feels like a rasp when it is drawn across the bare
skin—wounding by mere licking; in their manner of walking on their toes,
and in several other characteristics. The fiercest beasts of all the
carnivorous animals are found in the Felidae family, which includes
three groups—the Cat tribe, the Lynx and the Hunting Leopard. The Cat
tribe includes, in the Old World, the Lion, Tiger, Panther, Leopard,
Ounce, Serval, and Wild and Domestic Cats. In the New World are found
the Domestic Cats, the Jaguar, Puma and Ocelot.
All these animals in the wild state prefer to feed on living victims,
devouring their prey as they kill it. Although the various animals
belonging to this great family differ much in size, they are all alike
in their mode of attacking and killing their victims. They usually take
them by surprise, for they do not have so much courage as people
sometimes think. Crouched in some hidden retreat, they silently and
patiently await their prey; and as soon as within reach, they spring
upon it from behind, without allowing time for escape or defence.