Carnivora

Template:Taxobox begin Template:Taxobox image Template:Taxobox begin placement Template:Taxobox regnum entry Template:Taxobox phylum entry Template:Taxobox classis entry Template:Taxobox ordo entry Template:Taxobox section subdivision Canidae
Felidae
Herpestidae
Hyaenidae
Mephitidae
Mustelidae
Odobenidae
Otariidae
Phocidae
Procyonidae
Ursidae
Viverridae Template:Taxobox end

The diverse order Carnivora includes over 260 placental mammals. While the Giant Panda is an 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 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 list the pinnipeds within Carnivora; others list them as a separate order)
    • Superfamily Otarioidae: walrus and eared seals
      • Family Otariidae: eared seals; 14 species in 7 genera
      • Family Odobenidae: Walrus
    • Superfamily Phocoidae: true seals
      • Family Phocidae: true seals; 18 species in 13 genera