Mammals
have different types of teeth for different functions. The teeth vary with the
type of diet the animal has. Carnivores (flesh eating animals) tend to have
their canines enlarged for piercing of flesh easily while herbivores (plant
eating animals) may have their canines missing or have extra molars and
premolar for crushing and grinding of vegetable matter. Animals can be
classified according to Kingdoms, Phylum, Class, Over, Family, Genus, and
Species. This article will explain Class Mammalian animals where mammals fall
under Order Carnivora.
ORDER CARNIVORA
This
order consists of canrnivores, all have carnassials teeth (the last upper
premolar and first lower molar. All members of the family in this order except
the hyaenidae have a penis which contains an elongate bony structure called a
baculum. This order contains five families which are
Family Canidae
Biologists
classify animals belonging to this family as canines. This family is made up of
30-36 species of animals worldwide, but in southern Africa it is represented by
the black-backed jackal, side striped jackal, bat-eared fox, cape fox and the
African wild dog. African wild dogs are simply carnivorous wild dogs. They live in packs
(i.e. groups) from two to over fifty dogs but most of them have about 12 to 20
adult members.
Family Felidae
The
felids are referred to as the great cats. They are the most carnivorous of the
order carnivora. In southern Africa they include the lions, leopards, cheetah
and the African wild cat among others. The lions are entirely terrestrial and
are the world’s most social felines. Lions have strong, compact bodies and
powerful forelegs, teeth, and jaws for pulling down and killing prey.
Family Hyaenidae
Family Hyaenaidae is
represented by three species in Southern Africa which include spotted hyena,
striped hyena and brown hyena. The hyena is Africa’s most common large
carnivore. This family is distinctly characterized by the presence of an anal
pouche that lies between the rectum and the base of the tail. The members of
this family have large ears thick set muzzles with powerful jaws and claws.
The Spotted Hyena is well known for its
macabre chuckle or “laugh”, which is an indispensable sound of the African bush
at night.
Family
Musterlidae
Family
Musterlidae is represented in Southern Africa by the species which include the
honey badger (Ratel), the striped weasel, the striped pole cat, cape clawless
otter and the spotted-naked otter. Members of this family are widely
distributed and are a mixed group of mammals. They have long bodies with short
legs and they all have anal glands.
Family Viverridae
Animals
in this family are called Viverrids and are the most diverse of all the
carnivores. Most Viverrids are good climbers. They are generally omnivores with
relatively small canine teeth. Viverrids rely heavily on scent for
communication. They include animals like
the small spotted genet, large spotted genet, African civet, tree civet,
suricate and eleven species of mangoose.
Family
Canidae
Lycaon pictus
Scientific
Classification
Class:
Mammalia
Order: Carnivora
Family: Canidae
Genus: Lycaon
Species: L. pictus
Quick
facts
Scientific name: Lycaon pictus
Common name: African wild dog
Local name: Makanyani (Lozi).
Distribution: Southern Africa (Zambia, Botswana, and
Namibia and South Africa).
Habitat: Open grasslands, woodlands and
bushveld.
Size: Body length and shoulder height
61-78cm; Weight 17-36 kg with an average being 25kg.
Gestation: 69-72 days
Food: antelopes, kudus, impalas and
springbok among others.
Threat: Habitat loss
and human persecution are the main causes of decline
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