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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
Eira Barbara

Eira Barbara

Eira Barbara

Features:Apart from the otter, it is the largest mustelid in Latin America.

The scientific name of the fox stoat is Eira Barbara, a mustelid species native to Central America. It is the only species in the genus Eira Barbara and has 9 subspecies.The fox stoat is a species that lives alone or wanders around in pairs. Sometimes they form small groups of three or four, and the...

Martes pennanti

Martes pennanti

Martes pennanti,Fisher,Fishing cat, Pennant's marten, Pennant's cat

Features:It is shaped like a weasel and looks like a little bear.

Martes pennanti (scientific name: Martes pennanti) is also known as Fisher in English. There are 3 subspecies.Martes use "resting places" such as logs, hollow trees, stumps, and nests on the ground at all times of the year. Underground burrows are most commonly used in winter, while tree n...

Martes melampus

Martes melampus

Martes melampus,Japanese Marten

Features:Fur coloration ranges from yellow-brown to dark brown with white to cream patches across the neck

Japanese Marten (scientific name: Martes melampus) has three subspecies.Subadult Japanese martens generally establish territories immediately after maturity. The average area for males is 0.70 square kilometers, and the average area for females is 0.63 square kilometers, with less than 10% overlap b...

Martes martes

Martes martes

Martes martes,Pine Marten,Lin Diao

Features:A creamy white to yellow bib on the throat

Pine marten (scientific name: Martes martes) is a medium-sized carnivore, about the size of a domestic cat, with 8 subspecies.Pine martens build nests in tree holes or shrubs. They are mainly active at night or dusk. Their claws can be semi-retracted, allowing them to live in trees. Tree holes are t...

Martes gwatkinsii

Martes gwatkinsii

Martes gwatkinsii,Nilgiri Marten,Gray's marten, Yellow-throated marten Indian subspecies

Features:It is named for the distinctive yellow-orange throat spot on the front chest.

Nilgiri Marten (scientific name: Martes gwatkinsii) is a medium-sized carnivore with no subspecies. Before 1992, this species was a subspecies of the yellow-throated marten and was classified as an independent species in 1995.The Nilgiri marten likes to move at dawn and dusk, but often appears durin...

Martes americana

Martes americana

Martes americana,American Marten

Features:The head is bright gray, the back is grayish brown, and the throat and abdomen have irregular pale yellow or apricot red spots.

American Marten (scientific name: Martes americana) is a small to medium-sized mammal with 13 subspecies.American Marten is generally solitary. It lives in trees and can move easily in trees. It also often moves on the ground. It can swim. It does not hibernate. Mainly active at night. They use a st...

Ursus americanus,

Ursus americanus,

Ursus americanus,American Black Bear,North American black bear

Features:It is the largest bear in existence and ranks third in size among bears, smaller than polar bears and brown bears.

American black bear (scientific name: Ursus americanus) is a large bear with 16 subspecies.American black bears are solitary animals. Their activity time varies depending on where they live and the season. In spring, they often go out to look for food at dawn or dusk, and in summer they spend a lot...

Tremarctos ornatus

Tremarctos ornatus

Tremarctos ornatus,Andean Bear,Andean bear

Features:It is named after the pair of glasses-like circles around the eyes.

Spectacled bear (scientific name: Tremarctos ornatus) is also known as Andean Bear. It is the only bear species in South America and has no subspecies.Spectacled bears migrate by movement, with a range of 7-27 square kilometers. These bears are unlikely to be highly territorial, as they have been ob...

Bassaricyon gabbii

Bassaricyon gabbii

Bassaricyon gabbii

Features:It is the first canine raccoon species discovered.

Bassaricyon gabbii is the first dog raccoon discovered.Bassaricyon gabbii feeds on a variety of fruits, vegetables, fish, frogs, mice, birds and insects. They curl up in their dens during the day and come out to look for food at night. They like to hunt fish, shrimps and insects near the water in st...

Potos flavus

Potos flavus

Potos flavus,Kinkajou,Panda

Features:Their fur is usually golden, their tongue is long, and they can make a woman-like scream.

Kinkajou (Latin name: Potos flavus, English name: Kinkajou) is a species of raccoon that lives in the rainforest. It is the only species in the genus Kinkajou and has 7 subspecies.Honey bears are nocturnal, arboreal animals that are most active from 7pm to midnight and an hour before dawn. They slee...

Bassariscus sumichrasti

Bassariscus sumichrasti

Bassariscus sumichrasti,Cacomistle,Sino-American Ring-Tailed Panda

Features:The bear's claws cannot be retracted, the color of the tail gradually fades, and the ear outline is sharper.

The Cacomistle (scientific name: Bassariscus sumichrasti) is similar in appearance to the Cacomistle, which is often confused with the Cacomistle. The main difference between the two is that the Cacomistle's claws cannot be retracted, the color of the tail gradually fades, and the ear outline is...

Bassariscus astutus

Bassariscus astutus

Bassariscus astutus,Ring-tailed cat,Ringtail Cat

Features:The cat is named "ringtail cat" because of the 14 to 16 black and white rings on its tail.

The Ring-tailed cat (scientific name: Bassariscus astutus) is also known as the Ring-tailed cat because of the 14 to 16 black and white rings on its tail. It is particularly good at catching mice, so it is loved by humans and many people keep it as a pet.Raccoons are usually active late at night and...

Nasuella olivacea

Nasuella olivacea

Nasuella olivacea,Mountain Coati、Western Mountain Coati,Yamaguchi

Features:The smallest raccoon, with coarse fur and dark olive and brown body coloration, with lighter brown throat and chest with a reddish hue.

The coati (scientific name: Nasuella olivacea) is also known as Mountain Coati and Western Mountain Coati in foreign languages. It has three subspecies.The coati's main food is soil invertebrate adults and larvae, especially beetles, grasshoppers, locusts, centipedes, millipedes, and ants. Frogs...

Nasua narica

Nasua narica

Nasua narica,White-nosed coati,White-nosed pig

Features:The biggest difference from the common coati is that there is a white stripe in the middle of the nose.

White-nosed coati (scientific name: Nasua narica) has four subspecies.White-nosed coatis are diurnal, usually roosting in treetops at night and descending from trees to forage at dawn; adult males occasionally move at night. When looking for food, they first use their flexible long noses to sniff, t...

coatimundi

coatimundi

coatimundi,coatimondi

Features:The tail is long and thin with a dark ring and is carried upright when moving.

The coatimundi, also known as coatimundi or coatimondi, is active during the day, in groups of 5-6 or even 40. The tail is slender with a dark ring, and it is erected when moving. It is good at climbing trees and forages for fruits, seeds, eggs and various small animals on trees and on the ground.Th...

Procyon pygmaeus

Procyon pygmaeus

Procyon pygmaeus,Cozumel Raccoon、Pygmy Raccoon,Pygmy Raccoon

Features:Similar to the North American raccoon, the fur is primarily tan with interspersed darker hairs.

Cozumel Raccoon (scientific name: Procyon pygmaeus) is also known as Cozumel Raccoon and Pygmy Raccoon. It is a Procyonidae, Procyon genus animal, with no subspecies.Cozumel Raccoons are mostly nocturnal, although they can sometimes be seen during the day. They build dens as shelter, but unlike most...

Procyon cancrivorus

Procyon cancrivorus

Procyon cancrivorus,Crab-eating Raccoon

Features:Color blind, but has excellent night vision

Crab-eating raccoon (scientific name: Procyon cancrivorus) is also known as Crab-eating Raccoon. It is a Procyonidae, Procyon genus animal with 4 subspecies.Crab-eating raccoon is smaller than the North American raccoon (Procyon lotor), which helps to distinguish the two species. Males of the North...

Procyon lotor

Procyon lotor

Procyon lotor,Northern Raccoon,Food thief, Pippi Bear, Raccoon

Features:He has black eye spots on his face and a funny appearance, so he is nicknamed "The Masked Bandit"

The North American raccoon (scientific name: Procyon lotor) is called Northern Raccoon in foreign language. It is a medium-sized carnivorous animal with 23 subspecies.The North American raccoon is active at night and rarely active during the day. During extremely cold and snowy times, raccoons have...

Lycalopex vetulus

Lycalopex vetulus

Lycalopex vetulus,Hoary Fox、Hoary Zorro,Old pseudofox, Canis nudibranch

Features:Gray fur, pale face and underparts, reddish ears and legs

Brazilian Highland Fox (Scientific name: Lycalopex vetulus) Foreign name Hoary Fox, Hoary Zorro, no subspecies.Brazilian Highland Fox generally acts alone, although occasionally appears in pairs. Burrowing, often using abandoned armadillo holes. It is nocturnal and spends a lot of time digging holes...

Lycalopex sechurae

Lycalopex sechurae

Lycalopex sechurae,Sechuran Fox,Sechura Desert Fox, Peruvian Desert Fox

Features:Dark grey muzzle, grey band on chest, black tip of tail

Peruvian fox is scientifically known as Lycalopex sechurae, and its foreign name is Sechuran Fox. It is the smallest fox in the genus Lycalopex, and has no subspecies.Peruvian foxes are nocturnal and spend a lot of time digging holes during the day. They usually act alone, although they occasionally...

Lycalopex gymnocercus

Lycalopex gymnocercus

Lycalopex gymnocercus,Pampas Fox、Azara's Zorro,Pampas fox, Paraguayan fox, Paraguayan jackal

Features:Gray fur, black spots on the snout, collects things, and plays dead

The river fox (scientific name: Lycalopex gymnocercus), also known as Pampas Fox and Azara's Zorro in foreign languages, is a pseudo-fox native to the Pampas of South America, with three subspecies.River foxes are solitary, living together only during the breeding season and when caring for thei...