Carnivora

Carnivora
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Carnivora
Families
Canidae  Procyonidae  Ursidae  Mustelidae  Mephitidae  Felidae  Viverridae  Herpestidae  Hyaenidae  Otariidae  Phocidae  Odobenidae

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
    • Family Otariidae: eared seals; 14 species in 7 genera
    • Family Phocidae: true seals; 18 species in 13 genera
    • Family Odobenidae: Walrus

Most authorities also list the pinnipeds in Carnivora. Alternatively, they can be listed as a separate order: