Zoology Question ? Does anybody know what kind of organisms are felidae and ursidae ?

Meagan Candy - as I know you got this from my profile description, you could have simply asked me ! What I was referring to was the fact that I have specifically focused upon and studied Felidae and Ursidae as part of my zoology doctorate among all the other more general curriculum.

Felidae and Ursidae are the latin taxonomic names for the cat and bear families respectively. 'Family' is a taxonomic term, the group refers to extant and extinct animals.

Taxonomic relates to taxonomy which in this context is the naming and classification of animals.

Extant means living or in existence.

Of the two I have focussed even more upon Ursidae including an 18 month pre-doctorate field study in Churchill, Canada working with Polar Bears.

In anticipation of you asking what a 'Viva Voce' is...

Viva Voce - latin for 'living voice'

As a part of a higher degree the student is required to research and produce a lengthy thesis (think of a thesis as a long assignment) based upon a subject related in some way to their degree subject. At the end, after that thesis is submitted for review and marking, candidates normally must attend what is called a viva voce in the UK or a thesis defense in the US. At this meeting a panel of experts will criticise, question and generally interrogate you and your work and you must be able to perform satisfactorily throughout and give a suitable account of all your work.

My thesis was entitled 'Ecological Impact of Climate Change of the High Arctic'

My viva (viva voce is often shortened) was the most mentally stressful thing I have ever faced !

Felidae = cats, lion, tiger, cougar, leopard, jaguar, ocelot, bobcat, lynx, etc.

Ursidae = bears: black bear, brown bear, polar bear, giant panda, etc.

Have you heard of wikipedia? Or google for that matter?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Felidae

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ursidae