Toni Christopher

Carnivorans…

NOT carnivores…

Order Carnivora

Suborder Feliformia Suborder Pinnipedia

Suborder Caniformia

Suborder Feliformia Suborder Caniformia

Felidae

Eupleridae

Herpestidae

Hyaenidae

Viverridae

Ursidae

Mustelidae

Mephitidae

Canidae

Cats

Mongooses

Hyenas

Civets

Malagasy carnivores

Procyonidae

Otariidae

Phocidae

Odobenidae

Amphicyonidae

Nimravidae

Paleofelids

Bear-dogs

Walruses

Earred Seals

Raccoons

Skunks

Weasels

Bears

Canines

Earless Seals

non-retractile clawsWell developed

baculumSimple colorationsTemperate & subarcticTerrestrial & aquaticMostly plantigradeMore teeth and longer

skulls

Retractile clawsNot as developedSpots, stripes, and

brightMore tropical habitatsArboreal or partly soDigitigradeFewer teeth and shorter

skulls

Feliforms

Homeothermic marine CarnivoransLow surface area to volume ratioBlubber layer, typically hair covered, digits

connected by webbingCan remain underwater for over an hourVery small or non-existant pinnae and well

developed whiskersVery short or absent tails and hidden genitalia

Large brains in heavy skulls

Highly developed zygomatic arches for powerful jaw muscle attachment

Simple stomachs for primarily meat diets

Incredibly acute senses of vision, hearing, and smell

Carnassial pair

Carnivory, herbivory, and omnivoryCaniforms are mostly omnivores with a few

exceptionsGiant Panda

Feliforms and Pinnipeds are more strictly carnivores

Most Carnivorans ambush prey, others tire it outCrabeater seal is an exception!

Filterfeeder on zooplankton

Anywhere prey items or sources of food are found

Land and seaForests, deserts, mountains, grasslands,

scrublands, tundra, open ice, freshwater rivers, lakes, marshes, open ocean, and marine coastal areas.

Home ranges and migratory ranges

Predation young by other predatorsBy humans for centuries

Competition, fur, meat, sport, old medicines, habitat loss, black market

Conservation Captive breeding

Giant PandaReintroduction into areas of extirpation

Yellowstone wolvesGetting humans to live in peace with nature

Cryptoprocta ferox

Asian Palm Civet

Saber Tooth Tiger

Mustela putorius furo