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Carnivora

Carnivora is a large order in the class Mammalia that includes animal species that are either meat-eating or omnivorous. Although some carnivores have become omnivorous or even herbivorous during evolution, their common characteristics include sharp canine teeth, carnassial teeth for biting prey, and well-developed olfactory and visual systems. Carnivores are widely distributed in terrestrial, marine and freshwater environments around the world.

  • Scientific name: Carnivora

  • Characteristics:

    • Most have carnassial teeth for cutting meat.

    • Usually have strong limbs and agile movement.

    • Have highly developed sensory systems (especially smell and vision).

    • Includes predatory, omnivorous and herbivorous animals.

  • Main habitats: forests, grasslands, deserts, oceans, polar regions and other diverse ecological environments.

  • Representative animals: lions, tigers, wolves, bears, seals, etc.


Classification table of Carnivora

Carnivora is divided into two suborders:

  1. Caniformia: includes Canidae, Ursidae, Sealidae, etc.

  2. Feliformia: includes Felidae, Hyaenidae, Civetidae, etc.

The following is a detailed classification list of Carnivora, including all families and some typical genera and representative animals:

SuborderFamilyTypical genusRepresentative animals (Examples)
Canine suborderCanidaeCaniswolf, dog, jackal


Vulpesred fox, sand fox


Lycalopexsouth american gray fox

UrsidaeUrsusPolar bear, brown bear, black bear


Ailurusred panda

PhocidaePhocaRinged seal, gray seal


HydrurgaLeopard seal

MustelidaeMustelaYellow weasel, snow ferret


LutraEurasian otter, giant otter


Wolverine (Gulo)wolverine

ProcyonidaeProcyonraccoon


Bassaricyonhoney bear

Sea Otter (Enhydra)Enhydrasea otter
Feline suborderFelidaePantheraLion, tiger, leopard


FelisDomestic cat, desert cat


Neofelisclouded leopard

Hyena (Hyaenidae)Hyena (Hyaena)Striped hyena


CrocutaSpotted hyena

ViverridaeViverraLarge civet, small civet


ParadoxurusAsian Palm Civet

HerpestidaeHerpestesHerpestes

NandiniidaeNandiniaAfrican raccoon cat


Carnivora is one of the most diverse and adaptable groups of mammals, ranging from terrestrial From the polar regions to the tropics, carnivores have demonstrated amazing ecological adaptability. By understanding the classification and characteristics of carnivores, we can not only better understand their importance in nature, but also provide information for protecting these precious creatures. Scientific basis.

Carnivora Primates Rodents Chiroptera Eulipotyphla Ungulata Cetacea Lagoiformes Pangolins Proboscidea Monotremata
Canis mesomelas

Canis mesomelas

Canis mesomelas,Black-backed Jackal,Black-backed jackal

Features:It has large, pointed ears, a black back with a silver saddle mark, and a large, bushy tail.

The Black-backed Jackal (scientific name: Canis mesomelas) is a long-legged, medium-sized canine with a fox-like pointed muzzle.The black-backed jackal is a monogamous territorial animal, and its social organization is very similar to that of the golden jackal. It is an animal with highly developed...

Canis latrans

Canis latrans

Canis latrans,Coyote,coyote, prairie wolf, coyote

Features:Not very afraid of humans, good at running fast and long distances

Coyote (scientific name: Canis latrans) is a species of Canidae, a close relative of the gray wolf. Because there are as many as 19 subspecies, the body sizes vary greatly. European explorers first discovered this animal in the southwestern United States.Coyotes used to be active during the day, but...

Canis adustus

Canis adustus

Canis adustus,Side-striped Jackal,side-striped jackal

Features:The sides of the body have white stripes with black edges, and the legs and ears are shorter than other jackals.

Side-striped Jackal (scientific name: Canis adustus) is also known as Side-striped Jackal in English. There are 6 subspecies.Side-striped Jackal is monogamous, with a relatively stable family structure. It regularly marks its territory with scent and resists intruders, and has a strong sense of terr...

Atelocynus microtis

Atelocynus microtis

Atelocynus microtis,Short-eared Dog,short-eared dog, short-eared fox, small-eared dog

Features:It is one of the rarest carnivores in South America.

Short-eared Dog (scientific name: Atelocynus microtis) is also known as Short-eared Dog. They are more agile than most dogs when exercising and are more cat-like than dogs.Given its strong odor, anal gland secretions may be used to communicate information between small-eared dogs. It is a timid and...

Vulpes lagopus

Vulpes lagopus

Vulpes lagopus,Arctic Fox,Blue fox, white fox

Features:Known as the most beautiful fox

Arctic fox (scientific name: Vulpes lagopus) is called Arctic Fox in foreign language. There are 4 subspecies. In addition, Arctic foxes can be divided into two categories according to their fur color. There are also some artificially bred varieties.Arctic foxes can migrate long distances and have s...

Ribbon Seal

Ribbon Seal

Ring seal, ribbon seal

Features:Cute in black and white

Ribbon seal is a small species of seal with no subspecies.Usually live alone, usually gather in small groups. Most of their lives are spent migrating and foraging between breeding grounds and floating ice oceans. Once the breeding season arrives, seals of all ages, genders and sizes will gather toge...

Bearded seal

Bearded seal

Bearded seal

Features:The famous "Arctic Fat House"

Bearded seal has two subspecies and is the seal with the longest beard in the ocean.Bearded seals generally live alone and rarely board the same iceberg with other individuals. However, small groups of bearded seals can be seen on the ice in spring and early summer. Bearded seals that come onto the...

Eumetopias jubatus

Eumetopias jubatus

Eumetopias jubatus,Northern Sealion,North Pacific sea lion, Stevens sea lion, sea donkey

Features:It is the largest species of sea lion and is known as the "King of Sea Lions".

The northern sea lion is called Northern Sealion in foreign language. It is the largest species of sea lion family and has 2 subspecies.The northern sea lion is gentle and likes to gather in groups. Swimming and diving mainly rely on their long forelimbs. Occasionally, they will climb ashore to bask...

Callorhinus ursinus

Callorhinus ursinus

Callorhinus ursinus,Sea bears, Alaskan fur seals

Features:Polar fat beast with electric blanket skin

The scientific name of the northern fur seal is Callorhinus ursinus, which has 6 subspecies. It is a large marine mammal. The male northern fur seal's genitals are called "腽肭", which can be used as medicine. It is commonly known as the 腽肭兽.Northern fur seals are warm-blooded anima...

Panthera uncia

Panthera uncia

Panthera uncia,Snow Leopard、Ounce,Felis irbis、Uncia uncia、Felis uncioides、Felis uncia,Artemisia argyi, lotus leaf leopard, Sa (Tibetan)

Features:The majestic king of the snowy mountains

Snow leopard is a large cat with three subspecies. It is named after the fact that it often lives near the snow line and in the snow.Snow leopards prefer to move at dawn and dusk, and are more active at night than during the day. The early morning and dusk are the peak of hunting and activity, espec...

Panthera pardus

Panthera pardus

Panthera pardus,Leopard , Léopard, Panthère ,Leopardo, Pantera ,Al nimr,Leopard, Panthera pardus,Felis pardus Linnaeus

Features:Fierce "spotted big cat"

The English name of leopard is Leopard. It is a large carnivorous animal with 9 subspecies. The pattern on its body is quite similar to ancient copper coins, so it is also called "golden leopard".Due to the wide distribution of leopards, leopards in different regions show very different we...

Neofelis nebulosa

Neofelis nebulosa

Neofelis nebulosa,Clouded Leopard , Panthère longibande, Panthère nébuleuse, Pantera Longibanda, Pantera Nebulosa, Pantera del Himalaya , Kla PorPok , Seua lai mek,Clouded leopard, tortoise-patterned

Features:Secretive and rare arboreal hunter

The clouded leopard is called Clouded Leopard in English, and there are 3 subspecies. Because the length of its 4 canine teeth can reach 4-7 cm, which is very similar to the terrifying fangs of the extinct saber-toothed tiger subfamily, it is called the "small saber-toothed tiger". If the...

Pardofelis temminckii

Pardofelis temminckii

Pardofelis temminckii,Asiatic Golden Cat, Golden Cat, Temminck's Cat ,Chat de Temminck, Chat doré d'Asie, Gato Dorado Asiático ,Asiatische Goldkatze,Asian golden cat, original cat, red leopa

Features:The prototype of the legendary animal "Biao", which is considered to be ranked between tiger and leopard

The Asiatic Golden Cat is a medium-sized cat with three subspecies.Except for the breeding season, golden cats generally live alone and are nocturnal. They are more active at dawn and dusk. They live in tree caves during the day and move on the ground at night. They are agile and good at climbing, b...

Pardofelis marmorata charltoni

Pardofelis marmorata charltoni

Pardofelis marmorata charltoni,Nepalese Marbled Cat, stone cat, spotted cat, grass leopard, clouded leopard, Nepalese cat

Features:Professional killer of squirrels

The Nepalese Marbled Cat is a subspecies of the marble cat. It is slightly larger than a domestic cat, with a tail that is nearly as long as its body and very large feet. It is more like a panther than a cat.Clouded cats are genetically between "big cats" (such as tigers, leopards, snow le...

Lynx lynx

Lynx lynx

Lynx lynx,Eurasian Lynx,Eurasian lynx, forest lynx, lynx mandarin cat, horse lynx, mountain cat, wild cat

Features:Romania's national animal

The lynx is called Eurasian Lynx in English. It is similar in size to a cat but much larger than a cat. There are 7 subspecies.Lynx is a solitary wild animal that lives alone in a vast space. It is a nocturnal hunter without a fixed nest. During the day, it can lie on a rock to bask in the sun, or q...

Otocolobus manul

Otocolobus manul

Otocolobus manul,Pallas's Cat,Lynx, Ulun, Manau

Features:"Aobai among cats", a serious series of beasts

Pallas's Cat has three subspecies (Pallas's Cat, Pallas's Cat and Pallas's Cat). It is said that when ancient nomadic people saw Pallas's Cat on the grassland, they would shout "Dursun", which means stop, and then everyone called it "Pallas's Cat".The manu...

Prionailurus viverrinus

Prionailurus viverrinus

Prionailurus viverrinus,Fishing Cat , Chat Pêcheur ,Gato Pescador,civet cat, fishing cat, fishing cat

Features:A wild cat that loves water

Fishing cats are slightly larger than domestic cats, with shorter tails, about half the length of their bodies.Fishing cats and leopard cats both belong to the genus Leopard Cat, and they are closely related. Their body markings have many similarities, so people often mistake fishing cats for leopar...

Felis silvestris shawiana

Felis silvestris shawiana

Felis silvestris shawiana,Shaw's Cat,Wild cat, desert spotted cat, bandicoot, Shache spotted wild cat

Features:He has a violent temper and dares to confront wolves.

The steppe cat, also known as Shaw's Cat in English, is a Chinese subspecies of wild cats. It is known as one of the "three most adorable cats in the West" along with the manul and desert cat.Although the steppe cat looks small, it is indeed very fierce and has a violent temper. It can...

Felis chaus

Felis chaus

Felis chaus,jungle cat,Wild raccoon, raccoon

Features:The largest cat species

The jungle cat is called jungle cat in foreign language. There are 9 subspecies, which are the largest species in the genus Cat. It is worth mentioning that jungle cats will occasionally have black individuals like black panthers. There are black jungle cats in Novosibirsk Zoo.Wild raccoons are a my...

Felis bieti

Felis bieti

Felis bieti,Chinese Mountain Cat,Felis chutuchta,Grass cat, grass lynx, wild cat, desert cat, Chetang Xiongbu

Features:The only endemic cat species in the country.

The desert cat is called Chinese Mountain Cat in English. It is a unique animal in my country. There are three subspecies (desert cat nominate subspecies, desert cat Ningxia subspecies, desert cat Shaanxi subspecies). Among them, Ningxia subspecies and Shaanxi subspecies have not been seen for many...

Prionodon pardicolor

Prionodon pardicolor

Prionodon pardicolor,Spotted Linsang, spotted civet cat, spotted civet cat, oriental civet cat, leopard cat, cunning cat, tiger civet cat

Features:The difference between the spotted civet and other civets is that both sexes have no scent glands

Spotted Linsang, whose foreign name is Spotted Linsang, is a medium-sized carnivore that mainly lives in forests. There are two subspecies.There are two species of bandicoots, formerly classified as part of the family Viverridae, published in 2005 by Wozencraft, W.C. Order Carnivora. Wilson, D.E. &a...