Habitat of carnivores. Order of carnivores (carnivora)

The predators that are selected for the purposes of this article are carnivorous mammals of various shapes and sizes. Here we look at 15 major families of carnivorous mammals, ranging from the familiar (dogs and cats) to the more exotic (kinkajou and linsang).

1. Dogs, wolves and foxes (canidae family ( Canidae))

2. Lions, tigers and other cats (felines ( Felidae))

Usually the first animals that come to mind when we talk about predators are lions, tigers, pumas, leopards, cheetahs, jaguars, and domestic cats - closely related. Felines are characterized by a graceful body structure, sharp teeth, the ability to climb trees, and a generally solitary lifestyle (unlike canines, which tend to form social groups). Compared to most other carnivorous mammals, cats are hypercarnivores (supercarnivores), which means that their diet consists entirely or largely of the meat of other animals (even the kitty cat can be considered a supercarnivore, since the bulk of cat food is meat).

3. Bears (bear family ( Ursidae))

Only eight species of bears survive today, but these carnivorous mammals have had a significant impact on human society: everyone knows about conservation efforts for the polar bear and the panda, and we often hear in the news about brown bear attacks on overconfident tourists. Bears are characterized by dog-like faces, thick fur coats, plantigrade walking (that is, they walk on their feet rather than their toes), and a habit of standing on their hind legs when threatened.

4. Hyenas and aardwolf (family hyenas ( Hyaenidae))

Despite the external similarity, these predators are most closely related not to canids (point 2), but to cats (point 3). There are only three species of hyenas extant today: the spotted hyena ( Crocuta crocuta), brown hyena ( Hyaena brunnea) and striped hyena ( Hyaena hyaena). They differ in behavior, for example, striped hyenas steal killed prey from other predators, while spotted hyenas prefer to kill their prey themselves.

The hyena family also includes the little-known aardwolf ( Proteles cristatus listen)) are small, insectivorous mammals with a long, sticky tongue.

5. Weasels, badgers and otters (family mustelids, or martens ( Mustelidae))

The largest family of carnivorous mammals, including about 60 species of animals such as weasels, badgers, ferrets, wolverines, etc. Representatives of mustelids are characterized by: moderate body size (the largest member of the family is the sea otter, weighing up to 45 kg); have short ears and legs; equipped with anal glands that secrete a strong-smelling secretion to mark territory boundaries.

The fur of some marten species is very soft and beautiful. Countless amounts of clothing were made from the skins of mink, sable and ermine.

6. Skunks (skunk family ( Mephitidae))

Mustelidae (see previous point) are not the only carnivorous mammals that have glands that produce a strong odorous substance. Members of the skunk family have a similar ability, only more effective. A dozen modern species of skunks use anal glands to protect themselves from predators such as bears and wolves, who have learned to stay away from these harmless-looking animals.

Oddly enough, although skunks are classified as carnivores, they are primarily omnivores and eat worms, mice, lizards, nuts, plant roots and berries in equal measure.

7. Raccoons, coatis and kinkajous (raccoon family ( Mephitidae))

Looking a bit like a cross between a bear (item 4) and a mustelid (item 7), raccoons and other members of the family (coati, kinkajou, and camomitsli) are small, long-nosed animals with distinctive facial markings. In general, raccoons are the least revered representatives of the order of carnivorous mammals on the planet: they often raid garbage cans and are also prone to contracting rabies, which is transmitted through a bite to humans.

Raccoons are the most non-carnivorous animals from the entire order. These mammals are typically omnivores and have largely lost the dental adaptations required for dedicated meat-eating.

8. Earless seals (family true seals ( Phocidae))

The 18 to 24 species of true seals, also known as earless seals, are well-adapted mammals for marine life: they are sleek, streamlined carnivores with no external ears, females have retractable nipples, and males have internal testicles and a penis that is hidden in the body when not used. Although true seals spend most of their time at sea and are capable of staying underwater for long periods of time, they return to land or ice to breed.

9. Steller sea lions, fur seals and sea lions (eared seal family ( Otariidae))

The family includes fur seals, sea lions and sea lions, which can be distinguished from representatives of true seals (see previous paragraph) by their small external ears. Eared seals are more suited to life on land than their earless seal relatives, using their powerful front flippers to propel themselves across land or ice. Oddly enough, they tend to move faster and more maneuverably in the water than true seals.

Eared seals also have the most sexual dimorphism of any mammal in the animal kingdom: male fur seals and lions can weigh up to 6 times more than females.

10. Mongooses and meerkats (family mongoose ( Herpestidae))

In many respects indistinguishable from stoats, badgers and otters of the mustelid family (see point 6), mongooses are widely known for their unique evolutionary “weapon”: these small mammals are almost completely immune to snake venom. You might infer that mongooses kill and eat snakes, but in reality this is purely a defensive adaptation, keeping pesky snakes at bay while the mongooses stick to their preferred diet of birds, insects and rodents.

The mongoose family also includes the well-known animals - meerkats.

11. Genetta and civets (family Viverridae ( Viverridae))

Superficially resembling weasels and raccoons, civets are small, nimble, sharp-nosed mammals native to Africa, southern Europe and southeast Asia. They are the most undeveloped cat-like mammals, compared to cats, hyenas and mongooses, indicating a clear separation in the evolutionary path of these animals millions of years ago.

Unusually for carnivores, at least one species of the civet family (the palm civet) follows a largely vegetarian diet, while many other civets and genets are omnivores.

12. Walruses (walrus family ( Odobenidae))

The walrus family includes exactly one species - the walrus ( Odobenus rosmarus). Walruses can weigh up to 2 tons, and are equipped with huge tusks surrounded by thick vibrissae (whiskers). A favorite food is bivalves, although they have also been spotted eating shrimp, crabs, sea cucumbers and even seals.

13. Red panda (panda family ( Ailuridae))

Red panda ( Ailurus fulgens listen)) is a small raccoon-like mammal that lives in southwestern China and the eastern Himalayas. Strangely for a member of the order Carnivora, this arboreal animal typically feeds on bamboo, but sometimes includes eggs, birds and various insects in its diet.

According to recent data, there are fewer than 10,000 red pandas left in the wild, and despite their protected status, numbers continue to decline.

14. Linzangi (subfamily Prionodontidae, civet family ( Viverridae))

In case you have never been to Indonesia or the Bay of Bengal, linsangs are half-meter-tall, weasel-like creatures with characteristic markings on their coats: dark transverse stripes from head to tail on the striped linsang ( Prionodon linsang), and the leopard coloring of the spotted linsang ( Prionodon pardicolor). Both species are found exclusively in Southeast Asia.

15. Fossa and Mungo (Madagascar civets ( Eupleridae))

Madagascar civets are probably the most misunderstood animal on this list of predatory mammals. Their range is limited to the island of Madagascar in the Indian Ocean. Genetic analysis has shown that Madagascar's 10 extant civet species are descended from a mongoose ancestor that accidentally arrived on the island in the mid-Cenozoic era, about 20 million years ago.

Like much of Madagascar's wildlife, many Madagascar civets are vulnerable due to encroachment by human civilization.

(Ursidae) are opportunistic omnivores, and some species, such as the giant panda, even specialize in plant nutrition. Among small pandas, badgers, olingos, kinkajous, raccoons and raccoon dogs, plant foods also make up a significant, if not the main part of their menu. Hyenas and canids (wolves, coyotes, jackals, foxes) eat watermelons and melons in melon fields and fruits that have fallen to the ground [ ] . A medieval Arab traveler in his memoirs describes an attack by a pack of hyenas on a caravan site while crossing the Sahara Desert - one of the hyenas stole a bag of dates and ate most of it [ ] .

At the same time, there are mammals that, according to zoological classification, do not belong to the order of carnivores, but hunt other animals for food. These are gray rats, hedgehogs, moles, shrews, hamsters, deer, some monkeys (baboons, chimpanzees), possums, armadillos and others [ ] .

Zoologists make a distinction between carnivores in the sense of specialization in nutrition and carnivores as a taxonometric unit (taxon). In everyday speech, “predatory” often refers not only to the actual predatory mammals ( Carnivora), but also all other modern and fossil carnivorous vertebrates, such as sharks, crocodiles, birds of prey and theropods.

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Physiology

General information

Carnivores are very diverse in their appearance and contain such externally dissimilar representatives as mungos and walruses. In addition to pinnipeds, carnivores include all large carnivorous land animals, as well as numerous species of medium and small size. The physique of carnivores varies from rough forms, like those of bears, to graceful ones, like those of the cat family. The size varies from the small weasel, which weighs only 35-70 g, to the huge southern elephant seal, which weighs over 4 tons and is one of the largest mammals.

Skull and jaws

The jaw of the land families of carnivores is built according to the following dental formula: incisors 3/3, canines 1/1, premolars 4/4, molars 3/3. The teeth look different depending on the species, but the canines are usually very enlarged. Almost all species have six small incisors in the upper and lower jaws. Few exceptions are the sloth fish, which has four in its upper jaw to suck up insects through spaces in its teeth, and the sea otter, which has four incisors in its lower jaw.

In addition to this, all land carnivores have a common characteristic difference in their jaws: the so-called carnivorous teeth, consisting of two molars adapted for cutting meat. In each half of the jaw, the carnassial teeth form a similar functional unit. In hyenas, these teeth are especially strong and can even break bones. In omnivores, such as bears and raccoons, they are less pronounced. The remaining molars of carnivores, unlike carnassial teeth, are smaller. The number of molars in some families, such as cats, is reduced.

The skull of a predatory animal is characterized by a prominent zygomatic arch and a large temporal cavity, in which the temporal muscles, important for a strong bite, are located. It is also connected to the orbit. The lower jaw is so rooted in the upper that it can mainly move only up and down. Sideways movements, such as when chewing, are possible in carnivores to an extremely limited extent and are present mainly in omnivores.

Limbs

Carnivores have four or five toes on each paw. The thumb is not opposed to the other fingers and in some species is atrophied or reduced. The bones of the wrist are usually fused, making the joints stronger. The clavicle is reduced or completely absent. Its function in other mammals is to provide the limbs with the ability to move laterally. However, in carnivores, which are primarily adapted to chasing prey, the limbs move mainly only forward and backward. Some carnivores, such as felines and canines, walk on their toes, while bears rely on their feet. A special feature of cats and viverrids is the ability to retract their claws. The limbs of pinnipeds are highly adapted to the aquatic environment and are transformed into flippers, in which the fingers are connected by leathery membranes.

Organs

Due to the generally low specialization for taking certain food, the digestive system, like the jaws, is very archaic compared to many herbivores, but at the same time it provides great adaptive capabilities. It consists of a stomach and a relatively short intestine. Females have a two-horned uterus, and the mammary glands are located on the abdomen. Males, with the exception of hyenas, possess a baculum, and the testes are located outside the body. The brain is relatively large and has cortical sulci.

Spreading

Carnivores, with about 270 species, are one of the most extensive orders of mammals. They are found on all continents and even in Antarctica (only on the coasts).

Lifestyle

Social behavior

The range of different social behavior is large not only among carnivores as a whole, but also varies significantly within individual families. Forms of social behavior often depend on the forms of hunting and feeding of the species. Some species live in hunting packs (for example, wolves or lions), others in colonies (sea lions, meerkats, weasels), and others have an individual lifestyle (leopards, bears).

Nutrition

Most carnivores are carnivores. They cover their need for meat by hunting or feeding on carrion. Most carnivores are, however, omnivores, meaning their diet is supplemented by other types of food, such as berries or herbs. Many small carnivores, such as mongooses, as well as larger ones (big-eared fox, earthen wolf, sloth whale) also feed on invertebrates, mainly insects. In some species of carnivores, such as the badger, raccoon dog, red panda, giant panda, palm civet, olingo and kinkajou, plant food is even primary, if not the only one. However, classic predators are included in this particular order.

Methods of killing prey are very diverse. Representatives of the canine family chase their prey until exhaustion, while cats usually quietly creep up on their prey and stun it with a quick attack. Martens are able to follow squirrels that quickly climb trees, ferrets sneak into rodent burrows, and seals hunt for fish. Large representatives of seals, such as elephant seals, can dive to depths of up to 1000 m. Some predators are capable of killing prey that is much larger than themselves. For example, tigers attack gaurs - large bulls of Southeast Asia, and an ermine can kill a rabbit weighing several times more than itself. Wolves can also sometimes kill a small deer alone. Some species hunt cooperatively, while others go hunting alone.

Reproduction

Most carnivorous species give birth to young only once a year, but smaller species may give birth several times. In big cats and bears, two or three years usually pass between the birth of cubs. The duration of pregnancy varies from 50 to 115 days. The offspring are born extremely small, blind and incapable of independent survival.

In some mustelids and bears, embryonic development slows down. This mechanism prolongs pregnancy and ensures the birth of a baby at the most favorable time of year.

Taxonomy

External taxonomy

Based on molecular genetic studies, carnivores are currently classified by scientists as a group of laurasiotheriums - mammals that have a common origin from the ancient continent of Laurasia. As part of this superorder, carnivores, together with pangolins and extinct creodonts, form a separate group called Ferae, whose sister group is the equids. Below is one of the most likely laurasiotherium cladograms:

Laurasiotherium ( Laurasiatheria) ├─ Insectivores ( Eulipotyphla) └─ Scrotifera ├─

Characteristics of terrestrial predators

This is an ancient, rather diverse group of mammals, the nature of whose adaptations is associated mainly with the development of different methods of hunting warm-blooded animals. The closest relatives of terrestrial carnivores are those living in the seas pinnipeds(Pinnipedia). There are about 250 species of terrestrial predators, they are grouped into 7-8 families. Of these, slightly less than 40 species from 4 “native” families live in Russia - canine, bearish, mustelids, feline; family member hyenas sometimes appears on Russian territory; representative of another family raccoon brought by man. The final number of species has not yet been established: for example, all our badgers are sometimes considered one species, sometimes divided into two; some scientists distinguish the Sakhalin columnar as a separate species itatsi.

The sizes and appearance of predatory animals are extremely varied. Among them there are dwarfs weighing 200-300 g - weasel, ermine, and giants weighing up to a ton - brown and especially polar bears. Most carnivores are proportionally built and have long tails. Slow bears and raccoons - plantigrade, fast runners move on their toes. The limbs have movable fingers and are armed with sharp (in felines and some viverrids - retractable) claws, with the help of which animals tear apart prey, climb trees, and dig holes. A feature of carnivores is their powerful teeth, designed so that animals can cut meat and crush bones. The sharp fangs and the so-called " predatory"teeth. All carnivores have well-developed hair: some have a soft fluffy coat, others have coarse hair, sometimes almost bristles. The coloring is very diverse: often monochromatic, but there are also spotted and striped, contrasting two- or three-color.

Terrestrial predatory animals inhabit a wide variety of natural areas, from tropical forests to tundra and from sea coasts to highlands. Most of them are truly terrestrial, but there are also semi-aquatic and terrestrial-arboreal. Unlike many other large animals, they are most often individualists; only a few live and hunt together, forming packs, and meerkats(and some other African civets) live in colonies, like ground squirrels. For rest, predators use various kinds of special shelters - holes, dens between stones or under fallen trees, hollows.

These are mainly carnivorous animals that hunt live prey - other mammals, birds, fish. Among the predators there are scavengers, picking up the remains of other people's meals, some desert inhabitants specialize in insects, aquatic inhabitants are fish eaters. Bears, one of the largest representatives of the order, are mostly vegetarians.

By the nature of reproduction, predatory animals are typical " chicks"animals: their newborns are completely helpless, blind and deaf, covered with short, sparse fluff. Small representatives of the order are very prolific, often having more than a dozen cubs in a litter; among large predators, the female brings, and even then not every year, 2- 4 cubs.

Humans have a long-established, rather close relationship with predatory mammals. Many species are important objects of the fur trade; among the most popular are the inhabitants of our northern regions: sable, fox, and arctic fox. Large representatives of the order living near humans often harm livestock breeding - here, first of all, the wolf and leopard should be mentioned. On the other hand, small predators destroy many rodent pests, preserving the harvest: these are weasels and stoats.

Among the wild predatory animals with which man since ancient times had to coexist and often encounter in a variety of circumstances, there were many characters from folklore - fairy tales, legends, fables, sayings. Moreover, each nation has “its own” animals as its favorite heroes. Russian people fell in love with the fox, brown bear, and wolf; Koryak - sea otter; to the Lapps - a polar bear and a wolverine.

A group of carnivorous mammals gave man pets, and often irreplaceable helpers - a dog and a cat.

Many predatory animals are quite common in nature. But, unfortunately, often human relationships with them ended in tears for animals. As a result of thoughtless hunting for fur or extermination for the harm it caused, many species were brought to the brink of destruction in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The list of victims of increased “attention” from humans is very long: tiger, lion, leopard, sea otter, polar bear, wolf, sable... There are irreparable losses: destroyed Falkland wolf , Some tiger subspecies have become extinct. But, fortunately, thanks to the ban on hunting and the organization of nature reserves, many species were saved almost at the last moment. Among the great successes in preserving almost exterminated species are the already mentioned sea otter and polar bear. Even the wolf, which quite recently was “outlawed” everywhere and exterminated by all available means, is now protected in some places and returned to the places where it was exterminated.

Carnivores are a large species of reptiles on the ground. They take a significant part in the biological food chain. Each of the 11 families contains up to 270 species.

In Slavic, omnivores sound like animals. But they look completely different. There are large ones weighing up to 4 tons (elephant seal) or a similar heavyweight of the north, clubfoot.

Appearance

The length of dangerous predatory animals is from 14 cm to 3 meters. You will never guess that they are relatives, looking at the tiny weasel who has barely gained 100 grams. Of course there is a common denominator. This is the structure of the body.

Predatory animals photos and descriptions

The jaws are equipped with molars and fangs (fourth from above, first from below), allowing them to tear prey.

Predatory animals move only up and down, only in a small group they move to the side. Predatory animals have thick fur as a priority. The color is light, iridescent, black, patterned with stripes or spots.

Wolves are dangerous predatory animals

Limbs with 4-5 movable fingers on each paw and decorated with sharp claws. They are divided into digitigrade, semi-plantigrade and plantigrade. Pinnipeds have a membrane added. Classifications of two subspecies: felines and canines. You can often see their tail. The animals are also valuable fur animals. Their skins are harvested by people.

Habitat

The territory where representatives of the class are located is vast. Predatory animals are entirely masters of forests, steppes, deserts, seas and oceans. Yes, even in the Arctic there is a lover of flesh.

The brown bear is the owner of taiga and suburban forests

High in the mountains, on the coasts of the tropics, a powerful segment of predators dominates. Thanks to excellent hunting skills and a developed brain, they gain an advantage over others.

It is in Russia that you can find about 40 species of predatory animals. They are forced to build dens and dig holes. They have several shelters for resting and bearing offspring.

Lifestyle, nutrition

Carnivorous animals eat a variety of foods. That is, in addition to their main delicacy - meat, some eat vegetation and invertebrates. They actively hunt vertebrates. Some species come out at night, others prefer in the morning.

Aquatic predatory animals

They are endowed with excellent hearing and sense of smell. Whiskers (vibrissae) serve as antennas. Some drive the prey into a dead end, tirelessly pursuing, others sneak up unnoticed. Tigers hunt alone, wolves in packs. The role of predatory animals in nature is important, as they exterminate sick and wounded artiodactyls.

Reproduction

Carnivorous animals are viviparous; they give birth once a year, with the exception of 2 times. Pregnancy lasts from 50 to 150 days. The cubs are born blind and completely unadapted to independent life. They get to know the world through their mother. Since cannibalism is not uncommon among males, they eat babies.

Enemies

The most fierce enemy for predatory animals is man. The struggle has been going on for a long time. They destroy them for their skins. Some have been completely wiped off the face of the earth. They get into fights with their relatives. All the same, predatory animals are considered strong and dangerous. They themselves can attack a person.

Lifespan

By average standards, this is 10 - 15 years. The long-lived fox raises this mark to 25 years, and bears to 70. Many while away their lives in captivity (zoos, circuses).

All animals are divided into three main groups based on what they eat: plant eaters are plant eaters, meat eaters are carnivores (all carnivores), and those that eat all types of available food are omnivores. Today we will talk about carnivores.

Any animal whose diet consists exclusively of meat is classified as a carnivore. Carnivores spend most of their time searching for available food. They primarily hunt herbivores, although they can also eat omnivores or even other carnivores. Predators catch prey of various sizes, including invertebrates and vertebrates.

Small carnivores may include spiders, frogs and bats. Medium - birds such as eagles and hawks, snakes and anteaters. Large carnivores range from wild dogs and wolves to the largest animals: lions, tigers and crocodiles.

Predators are adapted to their type of food. They have very sharp teeth or even fangs that help tear flesh. Most of them are excellent runners, have acute vision and hearing, a well-developed sense of smell, and sharp claws.

All carnivores are divided into 7 taxonomic groups:

1. Bears (Ursidae)- exists today. Members of this group are powerful carnivores that have bulky bodies and short legs. Very often they are classified as omnivores, since they can supplement their diet with food of plant origin. All bears climb and swim well, run fast, and can stand and walk short distances on their hind legs. They prefer to hunt in the evening or early in the morning.

2. Canids (Canidae) - this family has about 35 species, among which are wolves, coyotes, foxes, dogs, etc. These are large and medium-sized predators that are monogamous in most cases.

3. Felines (Felidae) - today there are about 41 species: panthers, pumas, lynxes, lions, cheetahs, etc. The size of cats is very different from 35 cm and 1 kg to 4 m and more than 300 kg. They have very well developed hearing and vision.

4. Viverridae- 35 species: binturongs, civets, linsangs, etc. They are predominantly nocturnal and spend most of their lives in trees.

5. Hyenas (Hyaenidae) - although hyenas physiologically have much in common with the canid family, they form a separate family. Now there are 4 species: spotted, brown, striped hyenas and aardwolf.

6. Mustelidae (Mustelidae) - This is the most diverse family, with about 56 species. Members of this group include badgers, martens, minks, otters, ferrets, weasels, wolverines, etc. This includes small and large predators. They hunt mainly small mammals; Otters feed on fish, crustaceans and aquatic invertebrates.

7. Raccoons (Procyon)- carnivores that feed on insects and frogs, less often reptiles (snakes, lizards), crayfish and crabs, fish, rodents and bird eggs. The family includes raccoons, noses, kinkajous and kakimitsli.

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