Lions belong to the family of animals known as Felidae, which is commonly referred to as the cat family. This family includes a variety of both big cats, like tigers and leopards, and small cats, such as domestic cats. Felidae is characterized by carnivorous behavior, retractable claws, and strong, muscular bodies. Lions are unique within this family for their social structure; they live in groups called prides, which consist of related females, their offspring, and a small number of adult males. Their social dynamics and cooperative hunting strategies distinguish them from other members of the Felidae family.