3.2 Introduction to Carnivora

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 Zoo 148 G - 2L  Elago, Calica, Manloctao, Banares 

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9 Fissipeds (terrestrial):

Canidae (dogs and related spe

Felidae (cats)

Ursidae (bears)

Procyonidae (raccoons and rela

Mustelidae (weasels,badgers,o

species)

Mephitidae (skunks and stink b

Herpestidae (mongooses)

 Viverridae (civets, genets, and

Hyaenidae (hyenas)

3 Pinnipeds (aquatic):

Otariidae (sea lions and fur sea

Phocidae (true, or earless, seal

Odobenidae (the walrus)

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Distinguishing Characteristics

Zoogeography

Reproduction and Development

Behavior

Significance

Conservation Status

Threats

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Mainly carnivorous (“fleshdevourers”)

Simpler digestive system

Small stomach

Caecum absent/short

Colon not sacculated (narrow)

Highly developed sense of vision,hearing, and smell

Mostly runners/sprinters - hunters

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Mainly carnivorous (“flesh devourers”)

Strong and sharp claws

 At least 4 per unopposable foot

For attacking prey

Some with Dew claw - first digit on the forepaws;

 vestigial

Large, pointed canine and cheek teeth (molars,premolars) – number vary depending on species

Carnassial teeth

Diphyodont

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Terrestrial/ Arboreal

Gait mostly Plantigrade

Skull:

Large brains, heavy skull

Developed Zygomatic arch behind maxilla (like all mammals)

Ossified auditory valve

Masseters attached to dentary –  jaws only move up-and-down (shearingmotion > crushing power)

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Other Taxonomic characteristics for classifyingamong carnivore families:

fissure of the brain

relative weights of the adrenal and thyroid gl

type of uterus and placenta

position of the nipples

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Canidae (dogs) - 35 species; 13 genera, found worldwide; in

to Australia

Felidae (cats) - 37;18 genera from 3 subfamilies; found world

except for Australia

Ursidae (bears) - 9 species; 6 genera belonging to 2 subfamin North America, South America, Europe, and Asia

Procyonidae (raccoons) - 18 species in 6 genera from 2 subf

found in the New World

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Mustelidae (weasels,badgers, otters) - 54 species; 21 gen

from 5 subfamilies; found worldwide except for A

Mephitidae (skunks and stink badgers) - 11 species in 4

found in the New World and Southeast Asia

Herpestidae (mongooses) - 37 species in 18 genera belo

to 2 subfamilies, found in the Old World

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 Viverridae (civets, genets) - 35 species in 20 genera belongi

subfamilies, found in the Old World

Hyaenidae (hyenas) - 4 species in 4 genera belonging to 3 su

in Africa and southern Asia

Suborder Pinnipedia - found primarily in marine waters

Otariidae (sea lions and fur seals) - 14 species in 7 ge

Phocidae (true, or earless, seals) - 19 species in 10 ge

Odobenidae (the walrus) - 1 Arctic species

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 Vigorous and frequent copulation

Special methods for births to occur when resources are abunda

Induced Ovulation – egg cells released during/after copulation

Delayed Implantation – delayed fertilization of the egg in the wallthe uterus

Penis bone, or baculum = well developed

Live birth

One to few litter/s annually (1-13)

Some larger carnivorans have gaps between births (e.g. bears – every 2 – 3 yrs)

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 Average gestation period = between 50 and 115days Exception: ursids and mustelids - delayed implantation that

extends the gestation period six to 9 months beyond thenormal period

Born with underdeveloped eyes and ears

Mother primarily takes care of young

Mostly solitary

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High degree of learning ability Well-developed nervous system

sense organs

Dogs, Cheetahs, Caracal, andFerret, and even Otters trained forhunting or as pets

Mostly Territorial Anal glands

Scent glands

Feces

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Social Pattern Solitary

By pairs

Packs/ Bands

Sedentary

Colonial

Mating Syst Monogamy

Polygyny

Harems

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Human uses

Pets

Trained Hunters

Source of luxurious furs

 Attractions at zoos and circuses

Ecological value highest trophic level within ecosystems

improve the stability of prey populations (survivinganimals are better fed and less subject to disease)

Digging/Burrowing - mixing of soils and the reduction of water runoff during rains

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Polar Bears Ursus maritimus 

Population: 20,000 – 25,000

Habitat: Polar Regions

Importance: health of the marineenvironment; cultures andeconomies of Arctic peoples;indicator species

Threats: Human encounters, Oilspills, Noise offshore,Unsustainable hunting

Efforts: Addressing climatechange, monitoring populations,managing conflicts, reducingindustrialization effects

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Red Wolf Canis rufus 

Distribution: limited to the south-eastern United States

 Activity: Extinct in the Wild by 1980, the

Red Wolf was reintroduced by theUnited States

Threats: Hybridization with Coyotes orRed Wolf x Coyote hybrids, Humanencounters

Efforts: Recovery programs

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