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3.2 Introduction To Carnivora
3.2 Introduction To Carnivora
9 Fissipeds (terrestrial):
species)
Mephitidae (skunks and stink badgers)
Herpestidae (mongooses)
Viverridae (civets, genets, and related species)
Hyaenidae (hyenas)
3 Pinnipeds (aquatic):
Distinguishing Characteristics
Zoogeography
Reproduction and Development
Behavior
Significance
Conservation Status
Threats
devourers)
vestigial
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 (shearing
the uterus
days
sense organs
Dogs, Cheetahs, Caracal, and
Ferret, and even Otters trained for
hunting or as pets
Mostly Territorial
Anal glands
Scent glands
Feces
Social Pattern
Solitary
By pairs
Packs/ Bands
Sedentary
Colonial
Mating Systems
Monogamy
Polygyny
Harems
Human uses
Pets
Trained Hunters
Ecological value
highest trophic level within ecosystems
improve the stability of prey populations (surviving
Madagascar
Status: Not yet evaluated; newly
discovered but may already be extinct
Threats: Hybridization with Coyotes or
Red Wolf x Coyote hybrids, Human
encounters
Efforts: Recovery programs