ORDER OF FLESH-EATING ANIMALS 



(Carnivora) 



LESH-EATING mammals are known by the Latin name Carnivora, which 

 means " Flesh-eaters." The order is also known as Fercc, and comprises a wide 

 circle of beasts of prey which live on flesh usually killed by themselves. Most 

 of the members are fierce and active, the larger ones being dangerous to man. 

 Because of their flesh-eating habits, we find this order distinguished by 

 having certain teeth especially sharp and powerful. The teeth are of three 

 sorts, incisors, canines and molars. The canines are prominent and dagger- 

 like as a general rule, while one or more of the molar teeth have prominent 

 shearing edges forming the so-called " carnassial " or flesh tooth. The lower 

 jaw is articulated in a manner to secure strength and freedom in an up-and- 

 down plane. The clavicle is absent, or at best incomplete. The radius and 

 ulna are distinct bones. The feet of the flesh-eating animals are not so long as in the hoofed 

 animals. The Carnivora as a rule walk solidly on the whole foot, instead of daintily on the 

 tip of the toe, and are therefore called plantigrade. They are further provided with sharp 

 claws which can be pulled in, or retracted, by many animals. 



The Carnivora have two suborders, the Pinnipcdia, an aquatic group whose feet have 

 been modified into flippers — such as the Seals and Walruses; and the Fissipcdia, which have 

 several toes on each foot. There are never less than four digits, more often five, and each 

 bears a claw. The first and second digits are never opposable as thtimb and finger. The 

 Cats, Dogs, Bears, Raccoons and the Weasel tribe are all members of this suborder. Some 

 of these, the Kodiak Bear for example, may be reckoned as the mammals most to be feared 

 on the North American continent, while at the other end of the series is found a bloodthirsty 

 carnivore, the Pygmy Weasel, small enough to prey on the smallest. Characters common 

 to all these mammals are mobile limbs, adapted for walking, toes free with long sharp claws, 

 external ears well developed, incisors three on each side above and below, stomach simple, 

 caecum present, mammae abdominal. Some of the members of this suborder walk full 

 foot or are plantigrade, others are digitigrade, while still others are midway between the two. 

 The following diagram illustrates typical members of the Fissipedia in North America: 



ORDER OF FLESH-EATING ANIMALS (CARNIVORA) 



Sub-Order Fissipedia 



Families 



(In North America) 



Dogs 



(Canidce) 



(Typical species) 

 Coyote 

 Wolf 

 Red Fox 

 Kit Fox 

 Arctic Fox 

 Gray Fox 



Cats 



{Felidce) 



(Typical species) 

 Cougar 

 Jaguar 

 Ocelot 

 Jaguarondi 

 Canadian hyax 

 Wild Cat 



Bears 



( Ursidce) 



(Typical species) 

 Polar Bear 

 Grizzly Bear 

 Big Brown Bear 

 Black Bear 



Raccoons 



( Procyonidce) 



(Typical species) 

 Raccoon 

 Ring-tailed Cat 



[64] 



Weasels 



(Mustelidce) 



(Typical species) 

 Weasel 

 Marten 

 Mink 



Wolverene 

 Ferret 

 Skunk 

 Badger 

 Otter 



