Detachment predatory distinctive features. Predatory. Division into canids and felines

03.11.2019

Carnivores - a detachment of mammals that feed mainly on animal food. The body length is from 13 cm to 3 m (bear), weight - up to 700 kg. These animals have well-developed fangs, several molars are adapted for tearing meat. No less well developed claws.

There are 280 species in the order, united in two suborders, 7 families. Let's briefly consider each of them.

Dogs have a sharp muzzle, erect ears and a long fluffy tail. About 30 species distributed throughout the globe, except for Antarctica. They feed on animal food, sometimes carrion. Some species hunt alone, others gather in packs.

Dogs are of great benefit, exterminating rodents. Arctic fox and fox are valuable game animals (furs); they are bred on fur farms. The wolf is domesticated, all breeds of domestic dogs originated from it. The wolf and some other animals exterminate useful (including domestic) animals and birds; flocks can attack a person.

Bears are large animals (the polar bear is the largest modern predator) with a massive muzzle, powerful paws and huge claws. The tail is short. 7 species from deserts to arctic ice. Bears living in the northern regions arrange a den for the winter and hibernate. Bear meat is edible, the skins are used for carpets. Bears are protected in a number of countries.

Raccoons, on the contrary, are small animals. The body is covered with thick fluffy fur, the tail is long. Some species are hunted (fur is used). 7 species in Southeast Asia (panda) and in America; in Europe, the raccoon has been acclimatized.

Recent studies conducted several years ago on the basis of comparative anatomy and DNA analysis showed that the giant panda (bamboo bear) does not belong to mustelids, as previously thought, but to the bear family.

The next family of predatory mammals is mustelids. They have a flexible elongated body, covered with thick, fluffy fur. About 70 species. Terrestrial species (weasels, ferrets, martens) feed on mammals and birds. Badgers dig holes, feeding on both animal and plant foods. Otters have swimming membranes and eat aquatic animals.

Almost all mustelids, especially sable, mink, ermine and sea otter, are an object of hunting due to their valuable fur.

Viverrids already belong to another suborder of carnivores. These are small, slender animals with short legs and a long tail; many of them are similar in appearance to martens. They feed on small animals, sometimes on nuts. Approximately 75 ground and tree species in Africa, South Asia and Southwestern Europe. Mongooses can eat poisonous snakes.

Hyenas include 4 types of dog-like animals. The short torso is taller in front than behind. They have a thick neck and a massive head. The body is covered with coarse hair, sometimes forming a mane.

Hyenas live in Africa, Central and Southwest Asia, inhabiting semi-deserts, steppes and savannahs. They are nocturnal, feed on carrion, only occasionally attacking live animals. There have been cases of attacks on children. They keep alone, only during the meal they unite in a flock.

Cats have a small head, a slender muscular body, powerful legs with retractable claws, and a long tail. Hearing and vision are well developed. About 40 species except Australia, Antarctica, Oceania and Madagascar. They lead a twilight and nocturnal lifestyle. Some species hunt alone, others (for example, lions) hunt in groups (prides). Lion, tiger, jaguar, puma are predators that are dangerous to humans. The number of cats is greatly reduced, in many countries they are protected. Cheetahs were tamed for antelope hunting. The wild cat is domesticated - all breeds of domestic cats originated from it.

The first predators were creodonts - another suborder of predatory mammals. 5 families of these animals existed from the Paleocene to the Pliocene. Creodonts are the ancestors of pinnipeds and modern carnivores.

The lecture was added on 02/28/2013 at 17:53:53

Abstract on the topic:

Predatory

Plan:

1Physiology

1.1 General information
1.2 Skull and jaws
1.3 Limbs
1.4 Organs

2Distribution

3Lifestyle

3.1 Social behavior

3.2 Nutrition

3.3Reproduction

4Systematics

4.1 External taxonomy

4.2 Internal taxonomy

5Evolutionary history

5.1 Division into canids and felids

5.2 Development of felids

Notes
Literature

Introduction

Predatory(lat. Carnivora- "carnivores") - a detachment of placental mammals ( mammalia), consisting of suborders canisiformes ( caniformia) and cat-like ( Feliformia). 11 modern families of carnivores contain about 270 species in 110 genera and are distributed almost throughout the world. The vast majority of the members of the order are classic carnivores, preying mainly on vertebrates. Carnivores are sometimes also divided into two groups that differ greatly from each other in their way of life: land predators ( Fissipedia) and pinnipeds ( Pinnipedia)

scientific name Carnivora consists of latin words carnis(meat) and vorare(devour, swallow). At the same time, many carnivores eat not only meat. Bearish ( Ursidae) are opportunistic omnivores, and some species, such as the giant panda, even specialized in plant foods. Zoologists make a distinction between carnivores (carnivores) in terms of food specialization and carnivores as a taxonometric unit (taxon). In everyday speech, "predatory" is often called not only the actual predatory mammals ( Carnivora), but also all other modern and fossil carnivorous vertebrates such as sharks, crocodiles, birds of prey, or theropods.

1. Physiology

1.1. General information

Predatory in their appearance are very diverse and contain such outwardly dissimilar representatives as mungos and walruses. In addition to pinnipeds, carnivores include all large carnivorous terrestrial 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 forms, like those of the cat family. The size ranges 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.

1.2. Skull and jaws

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

All land carnivores, in addition, have a common characteristic difference in the jaws: the so-called predatory teeth, consisting of two molars adapted for cutting meat. In each half of the jaw, the carnassials 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 rest of the carnassial molars, in contrast to the carnassial teeth, are smaller. The number of molars in some families, such as cats, is reduced.

The jaws of pinnipeds are significantly different from the jaws of terrestrial carnivores. They are adapted to hold slippery fish and consist of one or two pairs of incisors, relatively inconspicuous canine teeth, and 12-24 uniform molars. Extreme modifications are the tusks of walruses, as well as the molars of crabeater seals.

The skull of a predatory animal is characterized by a protruding zygomatic arch and a large temporal cavity, in which the temporal muscles are located, which are important for a strong bite. It is also connected to the eye socket. The lower jaw is so rooted in the upper jaw that it can only move up and down. Movements to the side, which occur, for example, when chewing, are impossible in carnivores.

1.3. limbs

Carnivores have four or five toes on each paw. The thumb is not opposed to other fingers and in some species is atrophied or reduced. The bones of the wrist are usually fused, making the joints stronger. The clavicle, both in pinnipeds and in other families, is reduced or completely absent. Its function in other mammals is to allow the limbs to move sideways. However, in carnivores, which are primarily adapted to the pursuit of 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 feature of felines 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 membranes.

1.4. Organs

Due to the generally low specialization for taking certain foods, 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 bicornuate uterus, and the mammary glands are located on the abdomen. Males, with the exception of hyenas, have a baculum, and testicles are located outside the body. The brain is relatively large and has grooves in the cerebral cortex.

2. Distribution

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

All families of felines, with the exception of the felines themselves, which also live in the New World, are limited to the Old World. Two families of felines - Madagascar predators and nandiniaceae - have very small ranges in Madagascar and Central Africa, respectively. Among canids, canids, bears and mustelids are distributed almost all over the world and are initially absent only in Australia and Antarctica. Bears, represented in Africa by the Atlas bear, died out relatively recently on this continent. Skunks are found in Southeast Asia and America, little pandas are found in Asia, raccoons are almost exclusively in America. Three families of pinnipeds inhabit the coasts and adjacent waters of all continents, as well as some freshwater reservoirs.

The habitat of predators is very diverse, there are only few living spaces that they do not inhabit. Predators are found from the pack ice belt to deserts and rainforests.

3. Lifestyle

3.1. social behavior

The spectrum of different social behavior is wide, not only among carnivores in general, but also varies considerably 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), others have an individual lifestyle (leopards, bears).

3.2. Food

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

The methods of killing prey are very diverse. Canines chase their prey to exhaustion, while felines tend to quietly sneak up on their prey and stun them with a quick attack. Martens are able to follow fast climbing squirrels in trees, ferrets make their way into rodent burrows, and seals hunt for fish. Large representatives of seals, such as elephant seals, can dive up to 1000 m. Some predators are able to kill 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 its own weight. Some species hunt cooperatively while others hunt alone.

3.3. reproduction

Most species of carnivores give birth to cubs only once a year, but in smaller species this happens several times. In big cats and bears, as a rule, two or three years pass between the birth of cubs. The duration of pregnancy varies from 50 to 115 days. Offspring are born extremely small, blind and incapable of independent survival.

In some mustelids and bears, there is a slowdown in the development of the embryo. This mechanism prolongs pregnancy and ensures the birth of a cub at the most favorable time of the year.

4. Systematics

4.1.
I would like to learn more about predatory flowers.

External taxonomy

On the basis of molecular genetic studies, carnivores are currently classified by scientists as a group of laurasotheres - mammals that have a common origin from the ancient continent of Laurasia. As part of this superorder, carnivores, along with pangolins and extinct creodonts, are distinguished into a separate group called Ferae, whose sister group are equids. Below is one of the most probable cladograms of Laurasiotheres:

Laurasiotheria ( Laurasiatheria) ├─ Insectivores ( Eulipotyphla) └─ Scrotifera├─ Chiroptera ( Chiroptera) └─ Fereuungulata ├─ Cetaceans (artiodactyls and whales) └─ Zooamata├─ Odd-toed ungulates ( Perissodactyla) └─ Ferae├─ Pangolins ( Pholidota) └─ Predatory (Carnivora)

While there is almost no controversy about the validity of the taxon Ferae, the rest of the systematics within the superorder Laurasotherium remains the subject of scientific discussion.

4.2. Internal taxonomy

The predatory order consists of two suborders, 15-16 families and has more than 250 species.

The suborder Psiformes is subdivided into the following families:

Canids (Canidae) - dogs, wolves, foxes
Raccoons (Procyonidae) - raccoons
Bears (Ursidae) - bears and pandas
Eared seals (Otariidae)
Mustelidae (Mustelidae) - weasels, ferrets, badgers and otters
Little pandas (Ailuridae) - red panda
Skunks (Mephitidae or Miphelidae) - skunks
True seals (Phocidae)
Walruses (Odobenidae)

Suborder Feline:

Feline (Felidae) - all cats: domestic, wild, small and large.
Hyenas (Hyaenidae) - hyenas and earthwolf
Mongoose (Herpestidae) - mongooses, meerkats, etc.
Viverrids (Viverridae) - civet, etc.
Nandiniidae (Nandiniidae) - the only species of African palm civet.
Madagascar predators (Eupleridae) - fossa, etc.

Some classifications consider suborders Arctoidea(wolf, raccoon and bear) and aeluroidea(other families Fissipedia).

5. Evolutionary history

5.1. Division into canids and felines

According to the traditional opinion, even in the early Paleocene, carnivores were divided into two large evolutionary lines - cat-like and canine. The most ancient of the first was considered a family of viverrids, the earliest fossilized remains of which date back to the Paleocene. One of its representatives was a genus of small tree inhabitants Protictis. The miacids, which appeared in the late Paleocene, were considered the earliest group of canids (at the beginning they were even considered the ancestors of all carnivores). Their paws were flexible, which indicates the ability to climb, and in the mouth there were 44 teeth, among which predatory teeth were already developed.

Newer studies indicate, however, that viverrids and miacids are not direct ancestors of both carnivorous evolutionary lines and that they should not even be classified as carnivores. Miacids, according to research results, are not a monophyletic group at all. Despite this, viverrids and miacids still continue to be classified as carnivores, or at least carnivores ( Carnivoramorpha). Both evolutionary lines of carnivores, according to research, split about 43 million years ago.

5.2. Feline development

One of the most ancient families of felines were the nimravids, which were very similar to felines, but considered as a separate family. They appeared in the Late Eocene in North America and Eurasia. Another family called barburofelids was previously considered a subfamily of the nimravids, but today it is placed with them on the same systematic level. Barburofelids became extinct only in the late Miocene, when their last genus died out in North America. Barbourofelis.

The first felines were Proailurus, which appeared in the Oligocene and Miocene in Europe. Its size corresponded to the size of an ocelot. In the Miocene, felids migrated to North America and quickly replaced the Nimravids living there. In the Pliocene they also appeared in South America. The range of other cat families, with the exception of one North American genus of hyenas, has always been limited to the Old World.

Notes

Milovzorova M.S. Anatomy and physiology of man. - "Medicine", 1972. - S. 39.

Literature

Biological encyclopedic dictionary edited by M. S. Gilyarov et al., M., ed. Soviet Encyclopedia, 1989.
Korytin S. A. Behavior and smell of predatory mammals- Ed. 2nd. - M.: [Publishing house LKI]: URSS [distributor], 2007. - 224 p.

Red fox skull. "Predatory teeth" are 20 centimeters

Australian sea lion with modified limbs

Predatory animals are the largest species of reptiles on earth. They take an important part in the food biological chain. Each of the 11 families contains up to 270 species.

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

Appearance

In length, dangerous predatory animals are from 14 cm to 3 meters. You will never guess that they are relatives, looking at a tiny weasel that has barely gained 100 grams. The general is certainly present. This is the structure of the body.

Predatory animals photo and description

The jaws are equipped with molars and fangs (fourth from the top, first from the bottom), which allow tearing prey.

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

Wolves are dangerous predatory animals

Limbs with 4-5 movable fingers on each paw and are decorated with sharp claws. Divided into digitigrade, semi-pedigrade and plantigrade. In pinnipeds, carnivores, a membrane has been added. Classifications of two subspecies: feline and canine. Often you can see their tail. Animals are also valuable fur. Their skin is mined by people.

Habitat

The territory where the 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 settled lover to eat 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 other mammals.

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

Lifestyle, nutrition

Predatory animals eat a variety of things.

Predatory animals

That is, in addition to their main delicacy - meat, some eat vegetation, insects and invertebrates. They actively hunt vertebrates. Some species come out at night, someone prefers in the morning.

Aquatic predatory animals

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

reproduction

Predatory animals are viviparous, they bring offspring once a year, with the exception of 2 times. Pregnancy lasts from 50 - 150 days. Cubs are born blind and absolutely unsuitable for independent life. Know the world through mom. Since cannibalism is not uncommon among males, they eat babies.

Enemies

The most fierce enemy for predatory animals is man. The fight has been going on for a long time. Destroy them for their skins. Some have been wiped off the face of the earth. Combat with relatives. All the same, predatory animals are considered strong and dangerous. They can attack people on their own.

Lifespan

On average, this is 10-15 years. The long-lived fox raises this mark to 25 years, and bears to 70. Many spend a century in captivity (zoos, circuses).

Predatory animals of Russia

Red Book

Of the order of predatory animals, 16 species are in the Red Book.

Examples:

and many others. Wildlife fighters take care of each representative and do everything so that rare species do not disappear from the planet.

Despite the developed sense organs, vision is weak, not colored.
In food, too, inconsistencies. The panda eats only bamboo, that's a predator for you.
The stomach of a predatory animal looks like a simple bag.
The eyes are located on the front of the head to see their prey. This distinguishes them from their herbivorous counterparts.

Do you know that…

Are reptiles an important link in the food chain?

Animal nutrition

Animal nutrition is very different from plant nutrition. Depending on the way of feeding, different groups of animals are distinguished.

Digestive system

According to the method of nutrition, all animal heterotrophs are organisms that eat ready-made organic substances. Animal nutrition begins with the capture and ingestion of food. Most multicellular animals have a digestive system. It looks like a tube called the digestive tract. The digestive tract is divided into sections: oral cavity, pharynx, esophagus, stomach, intestines. The steps of the digestive tract are lined with epithelial tissue, which contains many glands that secrete mucus, digestive juices and special enzymes. They enter the intestines and participate in the digestion of food. The digestive system also includes the liver and pancreas.

The process of digestion in animals occurs in the stomach and the initial section of the intestine. The digested food is absorbed through the epithelial cells by the inner surface of the intestine, which forms many folds. The folds are covered with countless outgrowths - microvilli.

Predatory animals list, predatory animals examples and photos

Due to this structure, the inner surface of the intestine increases and nutrients are absorbed faster. Each microvillus contains a network of tiny blood vessels - capillaries, through which nutrients from the intestines enter the bloodstream. The circulatory system ensures the transfer of nutrients to all organs and tissues of animals.

herbivorous animals

Many animals eat only plant foods (shoots, seeds, fruits, nectar), they are called herbivores. For example, silver carp, grass carp, mice, chipmunks, squirrels. Animal teeth are adapted for cutting and grinding plant food. So, in rodents, the front teeth have sharp cutting edges that never wear down, because they grow all their lives. Herbivorous animals have a long intestine, as plant foods take a long time to digest.

Carnivores are animals that use other animals as food. Examples of predators among insects are dragonflies and beetles, among fish - perches and sharks, among birds - hawks and owls. Strong limbs, good eyesight, and powerful fangs help predatory animals to overtake and hold on to prey. Predator food is digested faster than vegetable food, so their intestines are shorter.

Scavengers are animals that eat the carcasses of animals. For example, vultures and hyenas, dead-eating beetles.

Omnivores eat both plants and animals. These are monkeys, hedgehogs, brown bears, wild boars and many others.

Carnivores - a group of mammals that feed mainly on animal food. The body length is from 13 cm to 3 m (bear), weight - up to 700 kg. These animals have well-developed fangs, several molars are adapted for tearing meat. No less well developed claws.

There are 280 species in the order, united in two suborders, 7 families. Let's briefly consider each of them.

Dogs are of great benefit, exterminating rodents. Arctic fox and fox are valuable game animals (furs); they are bred on fur farms. The wolf is domesticated, all breeds of domestic dogs are descended from it. The wolf and some other animals exterminate useful (including domestic) animals and birds; flocks can attack a person.

Raccoons, on the contrary, are small animals. The body is covered with thick fluffy fur, the tail is long. Some species are hunted (fur is used). 7 species in Southeast Asia (panda) and America; in Europe, the raccoon has been acclimatized.

Almost all mustelids, especially sable, mink, ermine and sea otter, are an object of hunting due to their valuable fur.

Hyenas include 4 types of dog-like animals. The short torso is taller in front than behind. They have a thick neck and a massive head. The body is covered with coarse hair, sometimes forming a mane.

The animal world is cruel, but at the same time very beautiful and diverse. The strongest wins, and it cannot be otherwise. The struggle between predator and prey is a classic confrontation of wildlife. This struggle takes place not only in the world of animals, but also in the world of people. There are a lot of beautiful animals in the world and today we will see all the beauty of this harsh reality. 15 of the most beautiful predators of the animal world will appear before you in all its glory.

Wolf.

Human society considers these animals very dangerous and cruel. However, it is from the wolf that our friends, dogs, originated. Wolves are also very smart and understanding, but they have a specific individual character. Among them, there are both brave and self-confident animals, and "quiet ones" who are trying to avoid the attention of the pack.

Wolves inhabit the semi-desert, tundra and forest-steppe zones of the Northern Hemisphere. The wolf is a small animal by the standards of other predators. Its length averages from 1.5 to 2 meters. The average weight of a wolf is 45-50 kg.

Fox.

This beauty resembles a dog in size, but at the same time it is a graceful and slender animal with a fluffy tail. The length of her body is 60-100 cm. Foxes live in the steppes and forest zones and are found in Europe, Asia, North America and even North Africa.

Jaguar.

The weight category of this predator is 110-130 kg. The jaguar is a fairly large and dangerous animal that lives in tropical forests. The ancient Maya Indians considered the jaguar a symbol of the power of the gods. To lure its prey, the jaguar can imitate the sounds of other animals. This representative of the "feline" family is a loner. The association of these animals occurs only during the mating season. The jaguar feeds on artiodactyl animals. Also, this "cat" easily climbs trees, can swim and runs very fast, choosing a huge area for its hunting. The Jaguar is not overly aggressive. Situations associated with an attack on a person, as a rule, are provoked by the person himself, by his own stupidity.

Leopard.

The leopard is much smaller than the jaguar, however, people often confuse these "felines". The length of the leopard is 100-150 cm. The leopard is a very agile and fast predator that lives in Africa and Asia. It can jump up to 7 meters in length. This animal is a mystery to humans, having a peculiar rhythm of life. In addition to speed, the leopard's strong point is the skill of disguise. From birth, this predator acquires the color of the most effective camouflage, which helps to hunt in the habitat. Leopards with a rare black coat color are called panthers. The life span of this "cat" varies from 12 to 20 years.

A lion.

"Lionheart" - this term means courage, courage and desperate courage. These animals are considered to be such by nature. In ancient Egypt, lions were revered as sacred animals. The image of a lion symbolized the power of the clan and the empire.
The vision of a lion, like any "cat", is 6 times better than a human's. It allows you to see as well at night as during the day.
The weight of a lion is 180-250 kg. The lion is not the largest member of the cat family. In this criterion, he is inferior to the tiger.

Tiger.

The tiger is the largest member of the cat family. The body length of this animal reaches 3 meters or more. In its habits, the tiger is very much like a domestic cat. The large weight and considerable size do not prevent the tiger from moving very dexterously and quickly. In addition to standard-colored tigers, there are also white-colored tigers.

Manul.

Manul - this predator is not much different from an ordinary domestic cat. Same size, fluffy coat. This "kitty" lives in Eastern Europe. Scientists have established that manul appeared more than 12 million years ago. An amazing feature of this beast is the presence of round, rather than slit-like pupils.

Caracal.

This rather bold animal hunts prey 2-3 times its size. Caracal is a representative of the cat family, leading a nocturnal lifestyle. Translated from Turkish, the name of this cat is “black ear”.

Raccoon.

Raccoons are carnivores related to pandas and dogs. Raccoons weighing 8-12 kg, living in Central and North America. Raccoons very easily get used to a change of scenery and are found even in some European countries.

Polar bear.

The lifestyle of the polar bear is different from the lifestyle of its brown brother. This predator lives in the polar regions and leads a nomadic lifestyle there. The body of a male polar bear has 450-500 kg. He seems quite clumsy, but this is just a delusion. Polar bears run fast and can swim up to 100 km! Polar bears accumulate a large amount of subcutaneous fat, which is how they escape from severe frosts. The unique coat of these animals allows you to keep warm for a long time.

Golden eagle.

The golden eagle belongs to the hawk family. This handsome man has a wingspan of 2.5 meters. The golden eagle populates on the outskirts of forests and feeds on small animals. This bird is considered to be very intelligent and trainable.

White Owl.

The wingspan of this predator is 1.5-2 meters. This bird lives in the tundra of Eurasia and North America. The white owl loves complete freedom, spacious places and does not live in forests. Early in the morning or late in the evening, this bird tracks down its prey, and after tracking, gaining tremendous speed on the fly, it easily catches up with the prey.

King Cobra.

These snakes are the most poisonous creatures. In addition, cobras perfectly climb trees and hide in burrows. The diet of the king cobra is made up of small snakes. When attacked, the cobra is able to regulate the consumption of poison and at the same time focuses on the size of the victim. The king cobra is a very dangerous predator that can cause paralysis and respiratory arrest with its venom. When meeting a person, cobras usually make "dummy" bites, without injecting poison.

Great white shark.

The largest habitat of the white shark is the waters of South Africa. The size of this predator is 5-7 meters in length. When tracking down its prey, the white shark sticks its head out of the water, which is its distinguishing feature among other sharks. The great white shark is not able to digest the bones of its prey, and its stomach is able to turn out to get rid of unwanted items. Shark skin is somewhat reminiscent of sandpaper and is particularly durable.

Orca.

The killer whale is a dangerous predator that has the nickname "Killer Whale". The killer whale has several hunting tactics and feeds on many marine life. These predators live in large "families" and hunt in several groups.

Predatory - a detachment of placental mammals, consisting of suborders of canids and felines. 11 modern families of carnivores contain about 270 species in 110 genera and are distributed almost throughout the world. The vast majority of the members of the order are classic carnivores, preying mainly on vertebrates. Carnivores are sometimes also divided into two groups that differ greatly from each other in their way of life: land predators and pinnipeds.

The detachment of predatory mammals unites a wide variety of animal species - from a huge lion to a tiny weasel. In this detachment we meet a beautifully colored and graceful cat and a clumsy hyena, a slender viverra with thick fur and a large shaggy dog, a heavy bear and a fast, evasive marten.

But all these various beasts are armed with lips and claws to attack other animals on whose flesh they feed. They are all carnivorous predators, and the better their body is adapted to meat food, the better their so-called carnivorous teeth are developed and the fewer teeth remain behind the carnivores. In the family of bears, which also eat plant foods, the carnivorous tooth is almost indistinguishable from the tuberculate teeth lying behind it, with blunt tubercles and a wide chewing surface. Dogs have two teeth behind the carnivorous teeth in the upper and lower jaws. In cats, there is only one small molar behind the carnivorous, or carnivorous, tooth in the upper jaw, and in the lower jaw this tooth is the last. In connection with the large development of the chewing muscles, the crests usually protrude strongly on the skulls of predatory mammals. The brain is well developed, the hemispheres are covered with convolutions. In some species, the anal glands secrete a foul-smelling liquid in the anal region. This liquid serves to protect against enemies or to lure prey. Sometimes the glands secrete a fatty mass to lubricate the fur. Carnivorous mammals are very different both in general body structure and in gait. Among them are plantigrade, toe walking and transitional between the two. Most species have a well-developed tail. Carnivores run fast on the ground, many of them are excellent tree climbers; some species have adapted to life in the water, and in connection with this, their general appearance has changed.

The most valuable fur-bearing animals belong to the predatory order.

scientific name Carnivora translated from Latin means "carnivores" and consists of two roots - caro(genus p. carnis) "meat" and vorare"devour, swallow"

Many carnivores eat more than just meat. Bears are opportunistic omnivores, and some species, such as the giant panda, even specialize in plant-based nutrition. Red pandas, badgers, olingos, kinkajou, raccoons, and raccoon dogs also make up a significant, if not the main, part of their diet. Hyenas and canines (wolves, coyotes, jackals, foxes) eat watermelons and melons on melons and fruits that have fallen to the ground. The medieval Arab traveler Ibn Batutta in his memoirs describes the case of a flock of hyenas attacking a caravan while crossing the Sahara Desert - one of the hyenas dragged away a bag of dates and ate most of it.

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

Zoologists make a distinction between carnivores (carnivores) in terms of food specialization and carnivores as a taxonometric unit (taxon). In everyday speech, "predatory" is often called not only the actual predatory mammals, but also all other modern and fossil carnivorous vertebrates, such as sharks, crocodiles, birds of prey and theropods.

Predator lifestyle

Real predators are well adapted for hunting other animals. All of them are built according to a single, rather primitive plan, which is characterized by a fairly flexible body and a relatively long tail. Terrestrial species usually have well-developed and long limbs. There are many good hardy runners among canines, but the fastest runner is the cheetah (of cats). Even short-legged predators are able to make rapid throws over short distances. Although the proportions of the head vary among representatives of different groups of predators, some features are common. Many are characterized by well-developed fangs, with which animals hold prey, relatively small incisors and two pairs of molars, or predatory teeth, adapted for cutting the muscles and tendons of the victim. These teeth have special cutting edges that act like scissors.

Predators have excellent eyesight, with many eyes close enough to provide stereoscopic vision, which helps predators correctly judge the distance to their prey before a decisive strike. The sense of smell is usually also well developed, and hearing is very sharp. Most predators are smart, because they have to be very flexible in their tactics, otherwise they will be outwitted by their prey.

Herd, marine and burrowing predators

Almost all predators lead a solitary lifestyle, although, of course, the cubs are very dependent on the mother or both parents for some time after birth. However, there are two exceptions: dogs, which usually live and hunt in packs, and lions, which form prides of males, females, and juveniles. Although lions can hunt both singly and in pairs. Most big cats will eat their prey in one go, then drink heavily and go into a long rest in some secluded place.
In cooler regions, many ecological niches are occupied by members of the mustelid family. Some of them live in water (otters), others live in trees (martens), and still others (ermine, weasel) are so small that they pursue their victims in their underground burrows. Badgers dig complex underground passages from which they come out to feed at night. There are no predators among those who would lead a completely underground lifestyle. Mongooses, genets and related forms living in the tropics of the Old World prey mainly on small land animals, some of them also eat insects or fruits. In the New World and some areas of the Old World, mongooses compete with a group of raccoons, among which there are animals with a varied diet, including carnivores. Marine predators such as seals, sea lions and walruses feed mainly on fish and shellfish.

Due to the aquatic lifestyle, seals have developed a streamlined body shape. Unlike whales, they have retained their coat, although they have a powerful heat-insulating layer of subcutaneous fat. Seals are skilled swimmers. Their limbs are turned into flippers, and in eared seals and walruses, the front limbs are used to move in the water, while in real seals, the hind limbs. Although eared seals can tuck their hind flippers forward and walk and even run on land, they are very clumsy creatures. Real seals do not even know how to do this and are only able to crawl, pulling themselves up on flippers.

Seals breed on the shore, forming large concentrations, although the males do not stop fighting among themselves. Such colonies of breeding seals can collect up to a million individuals in an area of just 50 square kilometers.

The predators that have been selected for the purposes of this article are carnivorous mammals of various shapes and sizes. Here we look at the 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 (canine family ( Canidae))

2. Lions, tigers and other cats (feline family ( Felidae))

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

3. Bears (family bears ( Ursidae))

Only eight species of bears have survived to this day, but these carnivorous mammals have had a significant impact on human society: everyone knows about the conservation efforts of the polar bear and panda, and we often hear in the news about brown bear attacks on overconfident tourists. Bears are characterized by dog-like muzzles, thick coats, foot-walking (that is, they walk on their feet rather than on their toes), and the habit of rearing up when threatened.

4. Hyenas and earthen wolf (hyena family ( Hyaenidae))

Despite the outward resemblance, these predators are most closely related not to canids (point 2), but to felines (point 3). There are only three hyena species that have survived to this day: 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 own prey.

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

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

The largest family of predatory 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 secret to mark the boundaries of the territory.

The wool of some marten species is very soft and beautiful. Countless clothes were made from the skins of minks, sables and ermines.

6. Skunks (skunk family ( Mephitidae))

Mustelids (see previous paragraph) are not the only predatory mammals that have glands that produce a strong odorous substance. A similar ability, only more effective, is found in members of the skunk family. A dozen modern skunk species 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, despite being classified as a carnivore, skunks are primarily omnivorous and eat worms, mice, lizards, nuts, plant roots, and berries equally.

7. Raccoons, coati and kinkajou (raccoon family ( Mephitidae))

Slightly resembling a cross between bears (item 4) and mustelids (item 7), raccoons and other members of the family (coati, kinkajou, and cacomitli) are small, long-nosed animals with distinctive facial markings. In general, raccoons are the least revered representatives of the order of predatory mammals on the planet: they often raid garbage cans, and are also prone to infection with rabies, which is transmitted through a bite to humans.

Raccoons are the most non-carnivorous animals from the entire detachment. These mammals are generally omnivorous, and have largely lost the dental appliances necessary for devout meat-eating.

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

The 18 to 24 species of true seals, also known as earless seals, are mammals well adapted to marine life: they are sleek, streamlined carnivores without 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, they return to land or ice to breed.

9. 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 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. Ironically, they tend to be faster and more agile in the water than true seals.

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

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

In many respects indistinguishable from stoats, badgers and otters of the mustelid family (see item 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 this is actually purely a defensive adaptation, keeping nasty snakes at bay as long as the mongooses eat their preferred diet of birds, insects, and rodents.

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

11. Genets and civets (viverrid family ( Viverridae))

Superficially resembling weasels and raccoons, viverrids are small, nimble, pointed-nosed mammals native to Africa, southern Europe, and southeast Asia. They are the most undeveloped feline mammals, compared with cats, hyenas and mongooses, which indicates a clear separation of the evolutionary path of these animals millions of years ago.

Unusually for members of the order carnivorous, at least one species of the viverrid family (the palm civet) adheres to 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). Bivalves are a favorite treat, although they have also been seen 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. Oddly for a member of the carnivore order, this arboreal animal typically feeds on bamboo, but occasionally includes eggs, birds, and various insects in its diet.

According to the latest data, fewer than 10,000 red pandas remain in the wild, and despite the conservation status, the number continues to decline.

14. Linzangi (subfamily Prionodontidae, the viverrid family ( Viverridae))

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

15. Fossa and mungo (Madagascar civet ( Eupleridae))

Probably the Madagascar viverras are the most obscure animals from this list of predatory mammals. Their range is limited to the island of Madagascar in the Indian Ocean. Genetic analysis has shown that the 10 surviving species of Madagascar viverras are descended from a mongoose ancestor that accidentally came to the island in the middle of the Cenozoic era, about 20 million years ago.

Like much of Madagascar's wildlife, many Madagascar viverras are in a vulnerable position due to the encroachment of human civilization.