Home>>All Animals>>Mammal>>Ungulata

Ungulata

In traditional classification, "Ungulata" is a general term used to refer to mammals with hooves, including Perissodactyla and Artiodactyla. However, with the progress of molecular phylogenetic research, the traditional "ungulates" or "Ungulata" is not a strict monophyletic concept. In modern classification, whales (Cetacea) are included in even-toed ungulates and merged with even-toed ungulates (Artiodactyla) into "Cetartiodactyla". Therefore, when discussing ungulates today, they are usually broken down into two independent major living groups:

  1. Perissodactyla: including horses, rhinos, tapirs, etc., with an odd number of toes (the middle toe bears weight).

  2. Cetartiodactyla: integrates traditional even-toed ungulates (such as pigs, cattle, deer, camels) and cetaceans (whales, dolphins, porpoises) into a natural monophyletic group. Even-toed ungulates are characterized by an even number of toes on each foot (usually 2 or 4), while the evolution of whales shows that they are closely related to hippos.

Historically, "Ungulates" also included some extinct primitive groups (such as Callostomidae and "Obtsodontia" in a broad sense), but here we mainly focus on the two major living groups: Perissodactyla and Cetiformes.

I. Introduction to Hoofed Mammals

1. Traditional vs. Modern Classification:
Traditionally, “Ungulata” was used as a broad term to include all hoofed mammals. This encompassed horses, rhinos, tapirs (odd-toed) as well as pigs, camels, deer, cattle, and others (even-toed). However, with advances in molecular phylogenetics, it became clear that whales (Cetacea) share a close evolutionary relationship with hippopotamuses (Hippopotamidae), which are even-toed ungulates. As a result, whales have been placed within the same clade as even-toed ungulates, creating the order Cetartiodactyla. This modern grouping better reflects their evolutionary origins.

2. The Two Main Orders of “Ungulates”:

  • Perissodactyla (Odd-toed Ungulates): Horses, rhinos, and tapirs—characterized by having an odd number of toes (usually one or three) and bearing weight mainly on the middle toe.

  • Cetartiodactyla (Even-toed Ungulates + Whales): This group combines traditional Artiodactyla (even-toed ungulates like pigs, camels, deer, bovids) with Cetacea (whales, dolphins, porpoises). Even-toed ungulates typically have two or four toes, and whales are highly specialized aquatic descendants of ancient terrestrial ungulate ancestors.


II. Evolutionary History

  • In the Paleogene and Neogene periods (roughly 20–50 million years ago), hoofed mammals underwent extensive adaptive radiations, spreading across the globe.

  • Perissodactyls once included a much greater diversity, but only three families survive today. They dominated certain habitats in the past but declined due to changing climates and the rise of grasslands.

  • Artiodactyls diversified more extensively, giving rise to a broad range of large herbivores on land. Within the even-toed lineage, one group returned to the water, evolving into modern whales and dolphins. Molecular data confirm that whales are nested within the even-toed ungulates, closely related to hippos, leading to the modern concept of Cetartiodactyla.


III. Classification Tables

A. Perissodactyla (Odd-Toed Ungulates)

FamilyExample Genera/SpeciesNotes
Equidae (Horses, Zebras, Donkeys)Equus (horses, zebras, donkeys)Weight-bearing on a single central toe; adapted for running in open habitats.
Rhinocerotidae (Rhinoceroses)Rhinoceros (Indian rhino), Ceratotherium (white rhino)Thick-skinned herbivores with one or two horns, found in Africa and Asia.
Tapiridae (Tapirs)Tapirus (tapirs of Central/South America, Southeast Asia)Short, flexible proboscis; forest dwellers that feed on leaves and fruits.

B. Cetartiodactyla (Even-Toed Ungulates + Whales)

Even-Toed Ungulates (Artiodactyla)

FamilyExample Genera/SpeciesNotes
Suidae (Pigs)Sus (wild boar, domestic pig), Phacochoerus (warthog)Omnivorous, often with prominent canines; Old World distribution.
Hippopotamidae (Hippos)Hippopotamus amphibiusSemi-aquatic, closely related to whales at the molecular level; African.
Camelidae (Camels, Llamas)Camelus (camels), Lama (llamas), Vicugna (vicuñas)Adapted to arid and high-altitude environments in Africa, Asia, and South America.
Cervidae (Deer)Cervus (red deer), Rangifer (reindeer), Muntiacus (muntjacs)Males typically bear antlers (bone structures shed annually); widespread across Eurasia and the Americas.
Giraffidae (Giraffe, Okapi)Giraffa (giraffe), Okapia (okapi)African endemics, the giraffe is adapted to browsing high foliage.
Bovidae (Cattle, Sheep, Goats, Antelopes)Bos (cattle), Ovis (sheep), Capra (goats), various antelopesExtremely successful and diverse herbivores in Africa, Eurasia, and North America.

Whales (Cetacea, included in Cetartiodactyla)

FamilyExample Genera/SpeciesNotes
Balaenopteridae (Rorqual Whales)Balaenoptera (blue whale), Megaptera (humpback whale)Baleen whales filter-feeding on krill and small fish.
Balaenidae (Right Whales)Eubalaena (right whales)Slow-moving baleen whales that feed on zooplankton.
Physeteridae (Sperm Whales)Physeter (sperm whale)Deep-diving predators of squid; have a large, oil-filled head.
Delphinidae (Dolphins, Orcas)Tursiops (bottlenose dolphin), Orcinus (killer whale)Tooth-bearing whales, highly social and widespread.
Phocoenidae (Porpoises)Phocoena (harbor porpoise)Small toothed whales with shorter beaks, found in coastal waters.

(There are many other whale families; the above are representative examples.)


IV. Summary

The concept of “hoofed mammals” as a single order is outdated. Modern evolutionary and molecular studies have clarified their relationships, placing whales within the lineage of even-toed ungulates. Thus, today we speak of:

  • Perissodactyla (Odd-Toed Ungulates): Horses, rhinos, tapirs.

  • Cetartiodactyla (Even-Toed Ungulates + Cetaceans): Pigs, hippos, camels, deer, cattle, antelopes, and whales/dolphins.

This modern classification highlights the incredible evolutionary journey of some terrestrial herbivores that eventually took to the oceans and became fully aquatic cetaceans. By understanding these relationships, users can appreciate how modern taxonomy accurately reflects the deep evolutionary history and adaptation of hoofed mammals.

Carnivora Primates Rodents Chiroptera Eulipotyphla Ungulata Cetacea Lagoiformes Pangolins Proboscidea Monotremata
Eudorcas thomsonii

Eudorcas thomsonii

Eudorcas thomsonii,Thomson's gazelle, Thompson's gazelle, Thomson's gazelle

Features:Thomson's gazelle is one of the most famous antelopes. It can turn left and right while running.

Thomson's gazelle, scientific name: Eudorcas thomsonii (Günther, 1884) foreign name Thomson's gazelle, has 2 subspecies.Thomson's gazelles are good at running and are very alert. They run away at the first sign of movement. They are gregarious and often form the world's most spectac...

Eudorcas rufifrons

Eudorcas rufifrons

Eudorcas rufifrons

Features:The cheeks have a red center with a pair of white stripes and a black stripe underneath

Red-fronted Gazelle (scientific name: Eudorcas rufifrons) is also known as Red-fronted Gazelle in English. It has 5 subspecies.Thomson's gazelle is closely related to the red-fronted gazelle, but is easily distinguished from it by its wide black stripes. The front of the body of the red-fronted...

Eudorcas albonotata

Eudorcas albonotata

Eudorcas albonotata

Features:A white ring around each eye

Mongalla Gazelle (scientific name: Eudorcas albonotata) English: Mongalla Gazelle, French: Gazelle de Mongalla, German: Mogallagazelle, no subspecies, a medium-sized antelope.The Mungara gazelle (Eudorcas albonotata) is a species of gazelle found in floodplains and savannas of South Sudan. It was fi...

Dorcatragus megalotis

Dorcatragus megalotis

Dorcatragus megalotis,

Features:

Dorcatragus megalotis (scientific name: Beira, Beira Antelope) is the only species in the genus Dorcatragus of the order Artiodactyla, family Bovidae, and has no subspecies.Dorcatragus megalotis live in pairs or small groups, always led by a male. However, there are larger groups, which usually occu...

Antilope cervicapra

Antilope cervicapra

Antilope cervicapra

Features:Possessing a pair of slender, straight, curved, spirally growing black horns

Antilope cervicapra, also known as Blackbuck in English, has two subspecies.Antilope cervicapra is sensitive, alert by nature, good at running and continuous jumping, and is the most agile of the antelopes. It is a gregarious animal, but does not mix with other animals. It lives in open plains and s...

Antidorcas marsupialis

Antidorcas marsupialis

Antidorcas marsupialis

Features:Born to run and jump, it can reach a speed of 94 kilometers per hour, can jump up to 3.5 meters, and can jump up to 10 meters.

Springbok (scientific name: Antidorcas marsupialis) is called Springbok in foreign language. There are 3 subspecies.Springboks migrate long distances in large groups in the dry season in search of new pastures. They feed on grass and shrub shoots, and will not drink water if there is enough green gr...

Ammodorcas clarkei

Ammodorcas clarkei

Ammodorcas clarkei,Sand Antelope,Clark's Gazelle

Features:Small, flat head, large eyes and medium-sized ears, with a thin body, legs and neck

Clark's Gazelle (scientific name: Ammodorcas clarkei), also known as Clark's Gazelle in English, has no subspecies and is a medium-sized antelope.The sand antelope is a solitary or social diurnal mammal that can move alone or in small family groups of 3-9 individuals. It feeds in the morning...

Damaliscus superstes

Damaliscus superstes

Damaliscus superstes,Wildebeest at Lake Bangweulu

Features:The fur is dark brown in color.

Bangweulu Lake Wildebeest (scientific name: Damaliscus superstes) is also known as Bangweulu Tsessebe in English. There is no subspecies.The Bangweulu Lake Wildebeest was once a subspecies of the Tsessebe. However, based on the differences in skull morphology and fur, it was classified as an indepen...

Damaliscus pygargus

Damaliscus pygargus

Damaliscus pygargus,Damaliscus pygargus pygargus,Damaliscus pygargus phillipsi

Features:Not good at jumping, horns are harp-shaped and circular

White-striped wildebeest (scientific name: Damaliscus pygargus) is also known as Blesbok in foreign languages. There are two subspecies.Both subspecies of white-striped wildebeest are diurnal animals, mostly grazing in the morning and afternoon, and resting at noon and at night. They are social anim...

Damaliscus lunatus

Damaliscus lunatus

Damaliscus lunatus,Black-faced hartebeest, South African oryx Black-faced hartebeest, South African oryx

Features:There is a black band from the forehead to the tip of the nose

The horned wildebeest (scientific name: Damaliscus lunatus) is also known as Topi, Tiang, and Tsessebe in foreign languages. There are 6 subspecies. The Bangweulu Lake Wildebeest is one of the subspecies of the horned wildebeest. However, based on the differences in skull morphology and fur, it was...

Connochaetes taurinus

Connochaetes taurinus

Connochaetes taurinus,Common Wildebeest,Common wildebeest, blue wildebeest, spotted wildebeest, white-bearded wildebeest

Features:It has a large head and broad shoulders like a buffalo, a slender back like a horse, and a black mane on its neck.

Common Wildebeest (Connochaetes taurinus) has five subspecies.Common Wildebeest can have two or three territorial ranges, each corresponding to a specific season. These generally include dry and wet season territories, as well as a third transitional territory that not all wildebeest use. Transition...

Connochaetes gnou

Connochaetes gnou

Connochaetes gnou,Black Wildebeest, White-tailed Gnu

Features:The mane stands up from the neck, the horns are stretched forward, and the tail is white.

White-tailed wildebeest (scientific name: Connochaetes gnou) is also known as Black Wildebeest and White-tailed Gnu. It has no subspecies.Like spotted wildebeest, white-tailed wildebeest also migrate in groups in the wild. They interact with predators, however they appear to be more aggressive than...

Beatragus hunteri

Beatragus hunteri

Beatragus hunteri,Hirola,Herola,Four-eyed hartebeest

Features:There is a white frame around the eyes, so it is also called "four-eyed antelope"

Hirola (scientific name: Beatragus hunteri) is also known as Hirola and Herola in foreign languages. There is no subspecies.Hirola is a species similar to the genus Beatragus and the hartebeest, but they can be distinguished by their horn shape, body shape and fur color. The Henson's wildebeest...

Alcelaphus buselaphus

Alcelaphus buselaphus

Alcelaphus buselaphus,Red Hartebeest

Features:The face is narrow and long, the eyes are far from the horns, and the shoulders are higher than the hips.

Red Hartebeest (scientific name: Alcelaphus buselaphus) is also known as Red Hartebeest in foreign languages. The Red Hartebeest and the Zambian Hartebeest were once independent species. In 2013, they were classified as subspecies of the Hartebeest. So far, the Hartebeest genus has only one species,...

Aepyceros melampus

Aepyceros melampus

Aepyceros melampus,Impala,Common Impala

Features:Characterized by its long horns and extremely fast running speed, it is also called the flying antelope.

Impala (scientific name: Aepyceros melampus) is also known as Impala and Common Impala in foreign languages. There are 6 subspecies.Impalas live on grasslands and thick bushes. They do not migrate and like to live in groups, usually between 15 and 60. The size of the herd forms a certain social stru...

Antilocapra americana

Antilocapra americana

Antilocapra americana,pronghorn,American Antelope

Features:Good at running, it is the fastest animal in America

Pronghorn (scientific name: Antilocapra americana) is also known as pronghorn in foreign languages. There are 5 subspecies.Pronghorn likes to live in groups. In summer, they form small groups of about 50-100 people, and in winter, they gather into large groups of thousands of people. When encounteri...

Mazama americana

Mazama americana

Mazama americana, Red Brocket, Corzuela Colorado、Corzuela Roja, Veado-mateiro

Features:It is the largest member of the genus Brachycerus.

Red Brocket (scientific name: Mazama americana) is called Red Brocket in English, Corzuela Colorado and Corzuela Roja in Spanish, and Veado-mateiro in Portuguese. There are 12 subspecies.Red Brocket is active during the day and at night, and often appears alone. The habitat they live in is conducive...

Mazama gouazoubira

Mazama gouazoubira

Mazama gouazoubira, Gray Brocket、Brown Brocket,Cabra Silvestre、Corzuela Común、Corzuela Parda、Guazu、Guazu Virá Corça、Veado-catingueiro

Features:Slightly smaller than the red shorthorn deer, with a straighter back and gray-brown to reddish-brown fur.

Gray Brocket (scientific name: Mazama gouazoubira) is called Gray Brocket and Brown Brocket in English, Cabra Silvestre, Corzuela Común, Corzuela Parda, Guazu, Guazu Virá in Spanish, and Corça and Veado-catingueiro in Portuguese. There are 11 subspecies.In the captive study area, the home ranges...

Hippocamelus bisulcus

Hippocamelus bisulcus

Hippocamelus bisulcus,Patagonian Huemul

Features:Has a large, black nose, small eyes, and large ears with white fur on the inside

Chilean Huemul (scientific name: Hippocamelus bisulcus), also known as Patagonian Huemul, is an endangered animal, one of the two species of the genus Hippocamelus, with no subspecies.Chilean red elk is a gregarious species. The number of elks in a gregarious group depends on the situation. It is us...

Hippocamelus antisensis

Hippocamelus antisensis

Hippocamelus antisensis

Features:The most prosperous group of ungulates besides Bovidae

The Peruvian horse moose, whose scientific name is Hippocamelus antisensis, is the most prosperous subfamily of the deer family and the most prosperous group of ungulates except the bovidae. Their bodies are stout and their limbs are short. During the summer, they inhabit high altitudes, gradually m...

Pudu puda

Pudu puda

Pudu puda,Southern Pudu

Features:The smallest deer in the world

Chilean Pudu (scientific name: Pudu puda) is called Southern Pudu in foreign language. It is the smallest deer in the world and has no subspecies.Chilean Pudu is a diurnal animal, but it is more active in the afternoon, evening and morning. It will go to open places to forage. The food is leaves, br...