Zoo 148 G - 2L

Elago, Calica, Manloctao, Banares

 9 Fissipeds (terrestrial):

Canidae (dogs and related species)

Felidae (cats)
Ursidae (bears)
Procyonidae (raccoons and related species)

Mustelidae (weasels,badgers, otters, and related

species)
Mephitidae (skunks and stink badgers)
Herpestidae (mongooses)
Viverridae (civets, genets, and related species)
Hyaenidae (hyenas)

3 Pinnipeds (aquatic):

Otariidae (sea lions and fur seals)

Phocidae (true, or earless, seals)
Odobenidae (the walrus)

 Distinguishing Characteristics
Zoogeography
Reproduction and Development
Behavior
Significance
Conservation Status
Threats

 Mainly carnivorous (flesh

devourers)

Simpler digestive system

Small stomach
Caecum absent/short
Colon not sacculated (narrow)
Highly developed sense of vision,

hearing, and smell

Mostly runners/sprinters - hunters

 Mainly carnivorous (flesh devourers)

Strong and sharp claws
At least 4 per unopposable foot
For attacking prey
Some with Dew claw - first digit on the forepaws;

vestigial

Large, pointed canine and cheek teeth (molars,

premolars) number vary depending on species

Carnassial teeth
Diphyodont

 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

motion > crushing power)

 Other Taxonomic characteristics for classifying

among carnivore families:

fissure of the brain

relative weights of the adrenal and thyroid glands

type of uterus and placenta

position of the nipples

Canidae (dogs) - 35 species; 13 genera, found worldwide; introduced

to Australia
Felidae (cats) - 37;18 genera from 3 subfamilies; found worldwide
except for Australia
Ursidae (bears) - 9 species; 6 genera belonging to 2 subfamilies, found
in North America, South America, Europe, and Asia
Procyonidae (raccoons) - 18 species in 6 genera from 2 subfamilies,
found in the New World

 Mustelidae (weasels,badgers, otters) - 54 species; 21 genera

from 5 subfamilies; found worldwide except for Australia

Mephitidae (skunks and stink badgers) - 11 species in 4 genera,

found in the New World and Southeast Asia

Herpestidae (mongooses) - 37 species in 18 genera belonging

to 2 subfamilies, found in the Old World

 Viverridae (civets, genets) - 35 species in 20 genera belonging to 6

subfamilies, found in the Old World

Hyaenidae (hyenas) - 4 species in 4 genera belonging to 3 subfamilies, found

in Africa and southern Asia

Suborder Pinnipedia - found primarily in marine waters

Otariidae (sea lions and fur seals) - 14 species in 7 genera

Phocidae (true, or earless, seals) - 19 species in 10 genera
Odobenidae (the walrus) - 1 Arctic species

 Vigorous and frequent copulation

Special methods for births to occur when resources are abundant:
Induced Ovulation egg cells released during/after copulation
Delayed Implantation delayed fertilization of the egg in the wall of

the uterus

Penis bone, or baculum = well developed

Live birth
One to few litter/s annually (1-13)
Some larger carnivorans have gaps between births
(e.g. bears every 23 yrs)

 Average gestation period = between 50 and 115

days

Exception: ursids and mustelids - delayed implantation that

extends the gestation period six to 9 months beyond the

normal period

Born with underdeveloped eyes and ears

Mother primarily takes care of young
Mostly solitary

 High degree of learning ability

Well-developed nervous system

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

Source of luxurious furs

Attractions at zoos and circuses

Ecological value
highest trophic level within ecosystems
improve the stability of prey populations (surviving

animals are better fed and less subject to disease)

Digging/Burrowing - mixing of soils and the reduction of
water runoff during rains

 Polar Bears Ursus maritimus

Population: 20,00025,000
Habitat: Polar Regions
Importance: health of the marine

environment; cultures and

economies of Arctic peoples;
indicator species
Threats: Human encounters, Oil
spills, Noise offshore,
Unsustainable hunting
Efforts: Addressing climate
change, monitoring populations,
managing conflicts, reducing
industrialization effects

 Red Wolf Canis rufus

Distribution: limited to the south-

eastern United States

Activity: Extinct in the Wild by 1980, the
Red Wolf was reintroduced by the
United States
Threats: Hybridization with Coyotes or
Red Wolf x Coyote hybrids, Human
encounters
Efforts: Recovery programs

 Durrells Vontsira Canis rufus

Distribution: central eastern

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