Carnivora
Carnivora
Fossil range: 40–0 Ma
PreЄ
Є
O
S
D
C
P
T
J
K
Pg
N
Late Eocene to Recent
A jaguar
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Chordata
Class:
Mammalia
Infraclass:
Eutheria
Superorder:
Laurasiatheria
Order:
Carnivora
Bowdich, 1821
Families
• 17, See classification
The diverse order Carnivora (pronounced /kɑrˈnɪvərə/
or sometimes /ˌkɑrnɪˈvɔərə/; from Latin carō (stem carn-)
"flesh", + vorāre "to devour") includes over 260 species of
placental mammals. Its members are formally referred
to as carnivorans, while the word "carnivore" (often pop-
ularly applied to members of this group) can refer to any
meat-eating animal. Carnivorans are the most diverse in
size of any mammalian order, ranging from the Least
Weasel (Mustela nivalis), at as little as 25 grams (0.88 oz)
and 11 centimetres (4.3 in), to the Polar Bear (Ursus mari-
timus) which can weigh up to 1,000 kilograms (2,200 lb),
to the Southern Elephant Seal (Mirounga leonina) whose
adult males weigh up to 5,000 kilograms (11,000 lb) and
measure up to 6.9 metres (23 ft) in length.
The first carnivoran was a carnivore, and nearly all
carnivorans today primarily eat meat. Some, such as
cats, pinnipeds, and weasels, are obligate carnivores.
Others, such as racoons and bears, depending on the loc-
al habitat, are more omnivorous; the Giant Panda is al-
most exclusively an herbivore but will take fish, eggs
and insects, while the Polar Bear’s harsh habitat forces it
to mainly subsist on prey. Carnivorans have teeth, claws,
and binocular vision adapted for catching and eating
other animals. Many hunt in packs and are social anim-
als, giving them an advantage over larger prey.
Carnivorans apparently evolved in North America
out of members of the family Miacidae (miacids) c 42
million years ago. They soon split into cat-like and dog-
like forms (Feliformia and Caniformia).
Distinguishing features
A brown bear, showing the sharp teeth and claws characterist-
ic of carnivorans
Carnivorans are primarily terrestrial and usually have
strong sharp cla