Carnivora

Carnivora
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Carnivora
Families
Canidae Procyonidae Ursidae Mustelidae Mephitidae Felidae Viverridae Herpestidae Hyaenidae

The diverse order Carnivora includes about 230 placental mammals. While the Giant Panda is a herbivore, nearly all others eat meat as their primary diet item: some (such as the cat family) almost exclusively, others (like the bears and foxes) are omnivorous. Members of the Carnivora have a characteristic skull shape, and their dentition includes prominent canines and carnassials.

• Order Carnivora
  • Canidae (dogs, and wolves; 35 species in 10 genera)
  • Procyonidae (raccoons and allies; 19 secies in 7 genera)
  • Ursidae (bears; 8 species in 5 genera)
  • Mustelidae (weasels, ferrets, badgers, and otters; 55 species in 24 genera)
  • Mephitidae (skunks; 10 species in 3 genera)
  • Felidae (cats; 37 species in 4 genera)
  • Viverridae (civets and allies; 35 species in 20 genera)
  • Herpestidae (mongooses and allies; 35 speces in 17 genera)
  • Hyaenidae (hyenas and aardwolf; 4 species in 4 genera)

Some authorities also list a number of marine mammals in Carnivora, in which case the order includes over 260 species. Alternatively, they are listed as a separate order:

• Order Pinnipedia
  • Otariidae (Eared seals: fur seals and sea lions; 14 species in 7 genera)
  • Odobenidae (walrus; one species)
    
  • Phocidae (True seals: earless seals; 18 species in 13 genera)