Mammals - Carnivores

8/14/2019 Mammals - Carnivores

1/17

BiologyBiology

Further MammalFurther Mammal

StudyStudy

Order CarnivoraOrder Carnivora

Transition Year

H. Jones, St. Columbas College


2/17

Introduction to CarnivoresIntroduction to Carnivores

Members of the order Carnivora areMembers of the order Carnivora are

distinguished by their prominent canine teeth.distinguished by their prominent canine teeth.

These are the long, curved, teeth beside theThese are the long, curved, teeth beside the

incisors that are particularly effective forincisors that are particularly effective for

stabbing.stabbing.

Most carnivores are predatory meat-eatersMost carnivores are predatory meat-eaters

with small but sharp incisors, good forwith small but sharp incisors, good for

nipping, but other larger carnivores have longnipping, but other larger carnivores have long

teeth for killing, such as the big cats.teeth for killing, such as the big cats.

Many cats have a rasp-rough tongue that canMany cats have a rasp-rough tongue that can

literally lick the meat off of bones.literally lick the meat off of bones.


3/17

Carnivore FactsCarnivore Facts

270 Species of Carnivore270 Species of Carnivore 11 Different Families11 Different Families

The smallest carnivore is theThe smallest carnivore is the

Least Weasel.Least Weasel.

The largest land carnivore isThe largest land carnivore is

the Polar Bear.the Polar Bear.

The largest aquatic carnivore isThe largest aquatic carnivore is

the Elephant Seal.the Elephant Seal.


4/17

Carnivore Facts - 2Carnivore Facts - 2The carnivores have strong jaws, powerful muscles, andThe carnivores have strong jaws, powerful muscles, and

heavy skulls to put their teeth into action.heavy skulls to put their teeth into action. Among the strongest jaws are the Jaguar of South America,Among the strongest jaws are the Jaguar of South America,

that can bite through a turtle's shell.that can bite through a turtle's shell.

The hyena of Africa, that can bite through bones to get toThe hyena of Africa, that can bite through bones to get to

the bone marrow inside.the bone marrow inside.

Carnivores generally eat meat, although some can plantCarnivores generally eat meat, although some can plantmaterial too i.e. they are omnivores.material too i.e. they are omnivores.

The Carnivores have become widely diversified; someThe Carnivores have become widely diversified; some

species are nocturnal in habit, while others are active duringspecies are nocturnal in habit, while others are active during

the day (diurnal), and many are active both day and night.the day (diurnal), and many are active both day and night.


5/17

Evolution of the CarnivoresEvolution of the Carnivores Carnivores are an ancient order, having evolvedCarnivores are an ancient order, having evolved

from the early Palaeocene period (40 to 60 millionfrom the early Palaeocene period (40 to 60 millionyears ago.years ago.

They have spread successfully to all parts of theThey have spread successfully to all parts of the

world, including the Arctic and Antarctic.world, including the Arctic and Antarctic.

But are not native as land dwellers to Australia,But are not native as land dwellers to Australia,New Zealand, or many oceanic islands.New Zealand, or many oceanic islands.

(The dingo is a domestic dog introduced into(The dingo is a domestic dog introduced into

Australia by aboriginal man, and the fox wasAustralia by aboriginal man, and the fox was

introduced by later inhabitants of Australia.)introduced by later inhabitants of Australia.)


6/17


7/17

Classification of CarnivoresClassification of Carnivores Carnivores can be divided intoCarnivores can be divided into

groups calledgroups called FissipedFissiped(separate toes) or(separate toes) or PinnipedPinniped (fin(fin

footed).footed).

There are 239 terrestrial andThere are 239 terrestrial andsemiaquatic species of so-calledsemiaquatic species of so-called

fissiped carnivores.fissiped carnivores.

The pinniped carnivores are allThe pinniped carnivores are all

aquatic.aquatic.

There are 34 species of pinnipedThere are 34 species of pinniped

carnivores divided into threecarnivores divided into three

families.families.


8/17


9/17
http://www.soappuppy.com/wolf/big/Alstandn.jpg


10/17

Ursidae The BearsUrsidae The Bears Closely related to the dog family are bears, or Ursidae,Closely related to the dog family are bears, or Ursidae,

which are the largest living terrestrial carnivores.which are the largest living terrestrial carnivores. Although there are tropical species, for the most partAlthough there are tropical species, for the most part

bears inhabit cold northern regions.bears inhabit cold northern regions.

In temperate climates they may take refuge in caves butIn temperate climates they may take refuge in caves but

do not actually hibernate.do not actually hibernate.

Bears have become omnivorous and lost the shearingBears have become omnivorous and lost the shearing

capacity of their carnassials (Very large teeth), but thecapacity of their carnassials (Very large teeth), but the

polar bear is still a meat-eater.polar bear is still a meat-eater.

The giant panda, included in the bear family, has aThe giant panda, included in the bear family, has a

unique diet of bamboo and is therefore not literally aunique diet of bamboo and is therefore not literally aCarnivore, yet is still classified as such.Carnivore, yet is still classified as such.


11/17


12/17

The MustelidsThe Mustelids Mustelids are small animals withMustelids are small animals with

short legs and long bodies, and haveshort legs and long bodies, and have

well-developed scent glands.well-developed scent glands.

This family includes weasels,This family includes weasels,

badgers, skunks, and otters and hasbadgers, skunks, and otters and has

a wide distribution in all climates, ina wide distribution in all climates, in

both the Old and New Worlds.both the Old and New Worlds.

They seek out and prey upon variousThey seek out and prey upon variousvertebrate animals smaller thanvertebrate animals smaller than

themselves, such as rodents, and arethemselves, such as rodents, and are

known to eat insects as wellknown to eat insects as well


13/17


14/17

The Felids - CatsThe Felids - CatsThe well-known felids, or cat family, range worldwideThe well-known felids, or cat family, range worldwide

except in Australia, Antarctica, and certain islands.except in Australia, Antarctica, and certain islands.There are 40 species of felid alive today.There are 40 species of felid alive today.

They are the elite of predators, with strong limbs andThey are the elite of predators, with strong limbs and

sharp, curved, retractile claws, able to stalk, run down,sharp, curved, retractile claws, able to stalk, run down,

and kill prey of their own size or very much larger.and kill prey of their own size or very much larger.They possess large eyes with excellent night vision.They possess large eyes with excellent night vision.

The cheetah's claws are only semi-retractile.The cheetah's claws are only semi-retractile.

Felids include the Cheetah, Lion, Tiger, Leopard andFelids include the Cheetah, Lion, Tiger, Leopard and

the house cat.the house cat.


15/17


16/17

The PinnipedsThe PinnipedsThe seals, sea lions, and walrus, known as the pinnipeds, areThe seals, sea lions, and walrus, known as the pinnipeds, are

highly aquatic carnivores.highly aquatic carnivores.They are found along nearly all coastal regions of the world,They are found along nearly all coastal regions of the world,

including the Arctic and Antarctic.including the Arctic and Antarctic.

Their bodies are streamlined and their limbs are modified forTheir bodies are streamlined and their limbs are modified for

swimming, but unlike cetaceans (whales and dolphins) theyswimming, but unlike cetaceans (whales and dolphins) they

have kept their hind limbs.have kept their hind limbs.They breed and give birth on land. In fact, some speciesThey breed and give birth on land. In fact, some species

spend considerable time ashore.spend considerable time ashore.

All are carnivorous, the diets varying from fish to marineAll are carnivorous, the diets varying from fish to marine

invertebrates, birds, or even other seals.invertebrates, birds, or even other seals.


17/17

Mammals - Carnivores

Documents

Transcript of Mammals - Carnivores