There are many different members of the cat family and their rise over 40 million years to represent a powerful group of predators within the Carnivora.
The rise of bears and racoons in the carnivora, exhibit the most diverse feeding patterns of the group, predators->scavenging omnivores->specialist herbivores
Take a look at the development of top carnivores. Are they really masters of their world or long-term losers? The winners are probably the small carnivores.