Abstract
Canids and felids are compared regarding evolutionary history, distribution, habitat preferences, morphology and behaviour. Factors permitting and promoting sociality in both families are discussed, and communication mechanisms within each sensory modality compared. A solitary existence is compatible with felid specializations, the mother and young being the basic social unit. Canid specializations have permitted the development of a pair bond and male provisioning of young. As an adaptation to hunting large herbivorous prey, an increase in size occurred in the felids, but canids developed sophisticated pack-hunting techniques. Group structure in canids is based on long-term affiliations between a pair and matured offspring, while in the lion, the only truly social felid, it is based on a mother and maturing daughters.
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