Carnivora
The diverse order Carnivora includes over 260 placental mammals. While the Giant Panda is a herbivore, nearly all others eat meat as their primary diet item: some (like the cat family) almost exclusively, others (like the bears and foxes) are more omnivorous. Members of the Carnivora have a characteristic skull shape, and their dentition includes prominent canines and carnassials.
- ORDER CARNIVORA
- Suborder Fissipedia
- Family Canidae: dogs and allies; 35 species in 10 genera
- Family Procyonidae: raccoons and allies; 19 species in 7 genera
- Family Ursidae: bears; 8 species in 5 genera
- Family Mustelidae weasels, ferrets, badgers, and otters; 55 species in 24 genera
- Family Mephitidae skunks; 10 species in 3 genera
- Family Felidae: cats; 37 species in 4 genera
- Family Viverridae: civets and allies; 35 species in 20 genera
- Family Herpestidae: mongooses and allies; 35 speces in 17 genera
- Family Hyaenidae: hyenas and Aardwolf; 4 species in 4 genera
- Suborder Pinnipedia
Most authorities also list the pinnipeds in Carnivora. Alternatively, they can be listed as a separate order:
