Animal world cruel, but at the same time very beautiful and diverse. The strongest wins, and it cannot be any other way. The struggle between predator and prey is a classic confrontation between wildlife. This struggle occurs not only in the animal world, but also in the human world. 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 their glory.
Wolf.
Human society considers these animals very dangerous and cruel. However, it was from the wolf that our friends, dogs, originated. Wolves are also very smart and intelligent, but 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 live in 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 on average ranges 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 an elegant and slender animal with a fluffy tail. Its body length is 60-100 cm. Foxes live in steppes and forest areas 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 Mayans 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 union 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 quickly, choosing a huge area for its hunting. The Jaguar is not overly aggressive. Situations involving an attack on a person are, as a rule, provoked by the person himself, due to his own stupidity. 
Leopard.
A leopard is much smaller than a 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 7 meters in length. This animal is a mystery to humans, having a peculiar life rhythm. In addition to speed, the leopard's strength is its mastery of camouflage. At birth, this predator receives the color of the most effective camouflage, which helps to hunt in its habitat. Leopards with a rare black coat color are called panthers. The lifespan of this “cat” varies from 12 to 20 years. 
A lion.
“Lionheart” - this term means courage, courage and desperate bravery. This is exactly what these animals are considered to be by nature. IN Ancient Egypt lions were revered as sacred animals. The image of a lion symbolized the power of the clan and empire.
The vision of a lion, like any “cat,” is 6 times better than that of a human. It allows you to see at night as well as during the day.
The weight of a lion is 180-250 kg. The lion is not the largest representative of the cat family. In this criterion it is inferior to the tiger. 
Tiger.
The tiger is the largest representative of the cat family. The body length of this animal reaches 3 meters or more. In its habits, the tiger very much resembles a domestic cat. The large weight and considerable size do not prevent the tiger from moving very deftly and quickly. In addition to standard-colored tigers, there are also white tigers. 
Manul.
Manul - this predator is not much different from an ordinary domestic cat. Same size, fluffy fur. This "kitty" lives in Eastern Europe. Scientists have found that the Pallas's cat appeared more than 12 million years ago. A surprising feature of this animal is the presence of round, rather than slit-like, pupils. 
Caracal.
This rather bold animal hunts prey 2-3 times its size. The caracal is a member of the cat family, leading a nocturnal lifestyle. Translated from Turkish language The name of this cat is “black ear”. 
Raccoon.
Raccoons are predatory animals, related by roots to pandas and dogs. Raccoons weighing 8-12 kg, living in Central and North America. Raccoons very easily get used to a change of environment and are found even in some European countries. 
Polar bear.
The polar bear's lifestyle is different from that of its brown brother. This predator lives in the polar regions and leads a nomadic lifestyle there. The body of a male polar bear weighs 450-500 kg. He seems completely clumsy, but this is just a delusion. Polar bears run fast and can swim up to 100 km! Polar bears accumulate a large number of subcutaneous fat, which saves them from severe frosts. The unique fur of these animals allows them to retain heat for a long time. 
Golden eagle.
The golden eagle belongs to the hawk family. This beauty has a wingspan of 2.5 meters. The golden eagle settles on the outskirts of forests and feeds on small animals. This bird is considered 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 its prey, and after tracking, picking up enormous speed in flight, it easily catches up with the victim. 
King Cobra.
These snakes are the most poisonous creatures. In addition, cobras are excellent at climbing trees and hiding in burrows. The king cobra's diet consists 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. King cobra is very dangerous predator, which with its poison can cause paralysis and respiratory arrest. When meeting a person, cobras usually make “idle” bites without injecting venom. 
Great white shark.
The largest habitat of the white shark is the waters of South Africa. The dimensions of this predator are 5-7 meters in length. When tracking its prey, the white shark pokes its head out of the water, which is its distinctive feature among other sharks. The great white shark is unable to digest the bones of its victims, and its stomach is capable of inverting to get rid of unnecessary objects. Shark skin is somewhat reminiscent of sandpaper and is particularly durable.
Killer whale.
The killer whale is a dangerous predator, nicknamed the “Killer Whale.” The killer whale has several hunting tactics and feeds on a wide range of marine life. These predators live in large “families” and hunt in several groups.
Predatory squad
(Carnivora)*
* The order Carnivora includes about 270 living species. According to modern scientific views, this order also includes seals, walruses and sea lions, previously united under the name "pinnipeds". Scientists divide the carnivorous order into two suborders: cat-like and dog-like.
Hardly any other order of mammals represents such a wealth of forms as the carnivores. The size of these animals is very different - from very large to very small, and in terms of body structure they also differ from each other. From a huge lion to a small weasel - how many intermediate steps, how many differences in appearance! We can meet here a beautifully colored graceful cat, and next to her a clumsy hyena; a slender, agile civet with silky, smooth fur and a large shaggy dog; a heavy and clumsy bear and a fast, evasive marten. Can these so different animals belong to the same order? Is it possible to connect them together if some of them live on land, others climb trees, and others feel at home only in water? Despite the differences in external characteristics, all predators have much in common: the same lifestyle, habits, the same food and, as a result, a similar structure of the limbs, skeleton and teeth.
The limbs of predators strictly correspond in length and thickness to the size of the body; on these limbs there are from four to five fingers with more or less developed - blunt or sharp, retractable or non-retractable - claws. All senses are highly developed. Animal teeth in most cases are quite large, have sharp tubercles or a conical, sharp shape and fit tightly in the jaws; with the mouth closed, the row of lower teeth is placed closely behind the row of upper teeth. The teeth form an excellent cutting tool, and well-developed chewing muscles give this tool great strength. The stomach looks like a simple bag. The intestines are never very long, and sometimes even very short; the caecum of the intestines is poorly developed. At the anus there are sometimes special glands that secrete a strong-smelling liquid that serves to protect against enemies, sometimes to lure prey, and sometimes they secrete a fatty mass that serves to lubricate the fur**.
* * One of the important functions of these glands is marking the individual hunting area with odorous marks.
Below we list the main external signs of predators. The body structure of these animals is very diverse - from short and thick in a bear, to long and thin in a civet; limbs are almost always of medium size with four or five fingers equipped with claws; the head is mostly rounded, the tip of the nose is bare, the eyes are large and keen, the ears are usually erect, the lips are surrounded by a mustache and sometimes a beard. In the mouth, both on the upper and lower jaws there are six small incisors and two long cone-shaped fangs, which are used for grasping prey. The posterior false molars of the upper jaw and the anterior true molars of the lower jaw have a three-toothed and laterally compressed crown: these teeth serve mainly for cutting meat; other false molars are also laterally compressed, but have one tooth each, and some true molars end with a flat top for grinding food*.
* Fangs serve not only to hold, but often also to kill prey. The shape of the crown of the molars can vary greatly depending on what the animal eats. For example, in bears, omnivores that eat a lot of plant foods, they never form sharp peaks or edges and have a flattened, tuberous surface (the same as in pigs and monkeys).
The internal structure of the body of carnivores has several more or less clearly expressed common features. The skeleton, despite its lightness and beauty of shape, is very durable. The skull is elongated; that part of it where the brain is located is almost the same length as the snout, so that neither of these parts practically predominates over the other. Large ridges and prominent sutures on the skull, as well as very convex zygomatic arches, serve as the basis for strong muscles, which, when contracted, move the lower jaw; the eye sockets are quite large; the swelling of the parietal bone, where the inner ear is located, is very noticeable; the nasal bones and cartilage are also well developed - all this indicates good development of the organs of vision, hearing and smell. The dorsal and cervical vertebrae have large processes; lumbar vertebrae often fuse together; The number of caudal vertebrae varies among different species of carnivores. The structure of the limbs depends on the animal’s lifestyle, but always indicates the strength and mobility of these parts of the body.
The limbs of a predator are sometimes short and thick; this indicates that the animal breaks the ground well and leads an underground lifestyle. Sometimes these limbs are very long - such animals are excellent runners. Some predators have fingers connected by a swimming membrane - this is a sign of the aquatic life of the animal. The claws are sometimes retractable, this protects them from abrasion when walking, and when released, they serve as an excellent tool for grasping and tearing prey; in some animals the claws do not retract and are therefore not so sharp; in this case they serve as a support for the leg, as well as for digging and climbing. If we talk about teeth, the main role here is played by very long canines and sharp molars, the so-called carnivorous teeth; they serve for grasping and tearing prey, as well as for cutting meat. The lower jaw is moved by large muscles and thick tendons, which contribute to very strong and varied movements of this part of the skull**.
* * The lower jaw of most predators is not capable of complex movements. On the contrary, a very strong jaw joint allows it to move only in one plane, up and down. It can perform lateral movements only in some omnivorous predators that eat a lot of plant food.
As mentioned above, the sense organs of these animals are well developed, but sometimes, as an exception, one of them is underdeveloped, and then this deficiency is compensated by highly developed other senses.
In general, it cannot be said that in all predators one sense is always more developed than others; on the contrary, some have a more developed sense of smell, others have vision, others have hearing, and in other cases the sense of touch also plays an important role. In most cases, the two most acute senses are smell and hearing; in rarer cases, hearing and vision.
The mental abilities of predators are fully consistent with the development of the senses: in this order one can find unusually intelligent animals, and therefore it is not surprising that they show a lot of cunning and dexterity, which are necessary for successful hunting. Confidence in their own strength makes animals bold and enterprising - these qualities in other animals are never as highly developed as in predators, but at the same time they cause some of the shortcomings of these so perfect creatures.
The place of residence and lifestyle of animals are directly related to their character and body structure. Predatory creatures live and rule everywhere: on land and in water, just as on the treetops; in the mountains as on the plains; in the forest, as in the field; in the north as well as in the south. Predators are divided into diurnal and nocturnal animals: some search for prey in the light of the sun, others in the twilight, and others in the dark at night.
Some predators form societies, others prefer solitude, some attack their prey openly, but most lie in wait for it, hiding and not making the slightest noise, then attack unexpectedly, which gives them the opportunity to grab animals that are sometimes larger than the predators themselves. In such cases, predators try to hide so as not to prematurely frighten the prey with their appearance, and only a few, aware of their weakness, seek refuge in flight if they notice anything suspicious.
All carnivores feed on other animals and only as an exception eat fruits, seeds and other plant matter. Usually, predators are divided into omnivores and carnivores, but the first name is not entirely fair, because omnivores still prefer a good piece of meat to any other food. It goes without saying that in terms of food, or more precisely, in terms of their prey, carnivores differ from each other in accordance with their place of residence, the region in which they live, body structure and way of life. There are only a few species in the animal kingdom that are not attacked or preyed upon by predators. The largest and strongest representatives of this order feed mainly on mammals, without neglecting, however, other animals. Even the lion does not feed exclusively on mammals; other cats are even less picky; dogs, whose main food, although meat, are quite content with other food. Among civets and martens there are often those that eat exclusively fish or, just as readily, reptiles; Bears are usually called omnivores, and, indeed, they feed equally readily on both plant and animal food. For vertebrate animals, predators are hunters or, better said, enemies in the same way as for invertebrates. Predators find their prey on solid ground, in water, on tree branches, in the north, in the south, in high mountains and underground. Certain species of this order sow death everywhere, since this is how they live; the weak must serve as prey for the strong, and no animal can escape the attack of a predator.
Some carnivorous mammals reputedly live in pairs, but some cats and martens form pairs only at certain times of the year, joining together to feed, protect and guard their young, but in many cases the father views his young as prey , and his mother has to drive him away from the lair when he accidentally finds it. In these cases, the mother is the only teacher. The number of cubs in one litter varies greatly, but is rarely less than two. Almost always, the cubs are born blind and at first very helpless, but then, as a rule, they develop quite quickly. The mother thoroughly teaches them to catch prey and find appropriate food and protects them until the babies are able to live independently. Only a few predators carry their young on their backs or hold them with their forelimbs; most people transfer them from place to place in their teeth.
Man lives in open hostility with almost all predatory animals; he has managed to tame only a few and now uses their services. Most predators are considered, more or less rightly, to be dangerous animals, and therefore they are mercilessly exterminated. The meat and fat of some animals of this order are used for food, the precious fur of others is used for human clothing, and, keeping in mind this benefit, one can, of course, excuse the hunt for them. Unfortunately, we often notice that man, due to a blind desire for destruction, persecutes not only harmless, but even useful predatory animals*.
* From the standpoint of modern ecology, there are no “harmful” animals; any animal takes its place in the natural community. Unfortunately, excessive hunting has led to a reduction in numbers, and in some cases, to the extinction of some predators in Europe (and throughout the world).
Life of animals. - M.: State Publishing House of Geographical Literature. A. Brem. 1958.
See what “Predatory order” is in other dictionaries:
Squad Predatory- 3. Order Predatory Carnivora ...Caribou deer feed the wolves, and the wolves make the caribou strong. If it weren't for wolves, caribou would have completely died out from disease. Farley Mowat. Don't cry: Wolves! Predatory animals vary in size (from a small weasel to a polar bear) and... Animals of Russia. Directory
Animals belonging to the order of carnivores stand out among other groups of mammals due to their extraordinary diversity appearance, body size, biological characteristics, adaptations to the environment, methods of movement, etc. Enough... ... Biological encyclopedia
Almost everything related to predatory species feed exclusively on other animals. They deftly lie in wait for their prey and pursue it in the air or on the ground, between tree branches or even in water, until they finally capture and kill it; sometimes... ...Animal life
Predatory ... Wikipedia
Predatory marsupials Tasmanian devil ... Wikipedia
General name for animals that eat other animals. H. found among mammals (for example, the order Carnivores), birds (see Birds of Prey), reptiles, fish, insects, worms, etc... Great Soviet Encyclopedia
Carnivorous mammals mostly feed on large prey and therefore have very large canines and large, saw-shaped molars. The cubs are born blind and helpless. In nature, carnivores act as regulators of the numbers of ungulates, rodents and other animals. There are about 235 species of predators.
Figure: Predatory mammals of the wolf family - wolf, common fox, raccoon dog
Wolf family
These are medium-sized animals with high legs. They have an excellent sense of smell, they can find their prey by following its tracks and pursue it for a long time. Since the environment changes quickly, they are smart and easily acquire new conditioned reflexes.
Common fox
The common fox is distributed throughout our country of the former Soviet Union, except for the Far North. Lives in a hole in the summer, where 4-6 fox cubs are born. Both parents take care of them. First they bring dead animals to the foxes, then wounded ones, and then live ones. This is how parents teach their cubs to master the prey themselves. In the fall, the family breaks up, and in the winter the foxes live alone. Their fur at this time is thick and fluffy, so they sleep right in the snow without crawling into a hole. The main diet consists of mouse-like rodents and other small vertebrates, and in the fall foxes readily eat berries. In winter they do not disdain carrion and often feed on garbage on the outskirts settlements, can also run a poultry farm. Fox fur is beautiful and highly prized.
Wolf
This is a large predator weighing on average about 50 kg, some individuals reach 80 kg. Distributed throughout the country. Thanks to their agility and strength, wolves can hunt animals that are larger than them. Wolves try to hunt large ungulates in packs. A pack of 5-12 wolves is formed because the brood does not break up in the fall. Each flock has its own habitat within which it roams. By attacking domestic animals, wolves can cause great harm in livestock-raising areas, especially since they usually try to slaughter as many animals as possible - in reserve. There have been cases of them attacking humans, often by rabid wolves. Therefore, in populated areas, the number of wolves should be under human control.
Cat family
Their strongly curved claws are retracted into special pouches when walking, so they always remain sharp. And they grab prey first with their claws and then with their teeth. Many people have a weak sense of smell, and some have almost no sense of smell, but their hearing is excellent. Therefore, they watch for prey or quietly sneak up on it and then take possession of it with a short throw.
Figure: Predatory mammals of the cat family - lynx, wild forest cat, tiger, lion, snow leopard, leopard
There are 36 known living species of cats: tiger, leopard, lynx, snow leopard, wild forest cat, etc.
Tiger lives in South Asia and the Far East. Large predator, weighing up to 300 kg. It feeds on wild boars and deer, and can also attack domestic animals. The male does not take part in raising the young. Due to their small numbers, hunting tigers is prohibited.
Lynx- resident of the taiga. This is a fairly large animal, weighing about 15 kg. The lynx is well adapted to living in forests with deep snow: its legs are long and its paw pads are wide. Its main food is hares and grouse birds; it also attacks roe deer and young deer.
Figure: Predatory mammals of the mustelid family - mink, weasel, polecat, ermine, sable marten
Family Kunya
For the most part, these are small predators with a long narrow body on low legs - an adaptation for penetrating narrow holes and crevices. The main diet consists of rodents and birds. Many have beautiful and durable fur. In the USSR, the following types of mustelids were most common.
Marten and sable
These are forest arboreal animals. They settle in hollows or burrows. The marten lives in the European part, the sable lives beyond the Urals all the way to Kamchatka. They can hunt not only on the ground, but also in trees. They feed mainly on mouse-like rodents. They readily eat berries and fruits.
Ferret and mink
The ferret sticks to bushes and forest edges. Sometimes it settles near populated areas and, climbing into poultry houses, can kill many birds here. But its main diet consists of voles and mice. The mink stays near bodies of water, swims and dives well, and hunts coastal and aquatic animals: frogs, rodents, snakes, crayfish, and sometimes fish.
Ermine and weasel
The ermine and weasel are the smallest predators: the ermine is the size of a rat, and the weasel has a body as thick as a finger, and it easily penetrates mouse holes. Both animals turn white for the winter, but the ermine's tail tip remains black. They feed mainly on mouse-like rodents.
Bear family
These are large animals with a massive build, a large head, an elongated muzzle and powerful five-fingered plantigrade paws. In the countries of the former Soviet Union there are 3 species: brown, white and white-breasted.
Figure: Predatory mammals of the bear family - polar bear, Brown bear, white-breasted bear
Brown bear found in forests throughout the area former USSR, except Crimea, reaches 300 kg. It is omnivorous and hibernates in winter.
Polar bear- inhabitant of the Arctic, the largest predator, males reach 800 kg. It swims and dives excellently and feeds mainly on seals and fish.
The cubs of both brown and polar bears are born very small, weighing only about 1 kg.
Introduction
General characteristics of the squad
External and internal structure of predators
Habitats
Squad families
Characteristics of the families of the order
List of used literature
Introduction
In this project, I wanted to talk about the rather difficult and, in my opinion, very interesting life of predators living on our planet Earth. Carnivores occupy a very important role in nature. They play the role of regulators of the number of ungulates, rodents and other animals. For people, predators such as cats and dogs are pets. But do not forget that predatory animals can cause great damage to the household. For example, animals such as fox and wolf, by stalking and lying in wait, attack defenseless domestic animals and eat them. For example, chickens, goats, rams, sheep, etc.
My life is also directly connected with the animals of this order. For example, a representative of the cat family lives at home - the cat Vasya. Observing his behavior, I came to the conclusion that cats are excellent hunters, because they know how to perfectly camouflage and attack from cover, striking the prey with their agility and agility.
And now I would like to introduce you to my project, in which we will get to know this type of animal world in more detail.
General characteristics of the squad
Animals included in the order of carnivores stand out among other groups of mammals by their extraordinary diversity of appearance, body size, biological features, adaptations to the environment, methods of movement, etc. Most predatory animals lead a terrestrial lifestyle, but some species, such as minks and otters are inhabitants of fresh water bodies, and sea otters are marine animals. Carnivores feed not only on meat, but also on insects, invertebrates and even plant foods. The body length of carnivores ranges from 14 cm to 3 m, weight from 100 g to 1000 kg. The body shape can be elongated, flexible, massive, and sometimes awkward. Some animals have tall, slender limbs, while many others have short, clumsy limbs. There are at least four fingers on each limb, and bears and dogs have five. All carnivores have claws, and they are especially sharp in cats, which (with the exception of the cheetah) can be retracted. On the contrary, in certain species of otters and in the sea otter, the claws have turned into something like nails. Most carnivores have a long, often fluffy tail, and only bears, the giant panda and a number of others have it small and hidden in the fur. Representatives of two genera of raccoons and civets have a prehensile tail. The external ears of most species of predators are well developed, pointed; in the fennec fox and bat-eared fox they are unusually large, while in the arctic fox, ermine, weasel and others they barely protrude from the surrounding fur, and in the sea otter they are underdeveloped. All predatory animals have well-developed hair, varying in density, length, splendor, and color. Many species have variegated fur colors. In some northern species, a seasonal change in color is observed - whitening of the fur in winter (weasel, ermine, arctic fox) or its significant lightening (polar wolf).
External and internal structure of predators
The number of teeth of predators ranges from 28 to 48. Among them are well-developed, more or less curved, pointed fangs. The last upper premolar and the first lower molar in most species have turned into special carnivorous teeth. But the incisors are small. High level nervous activity, characteristic of predators, is ensured by the great perfection of the brain. It has well-developed hemispheres with three grooves, numerous convolutions, and large olfactory lobes. Among the structural features of the internal organs, one can note the simple stomach, replete with glands. The length of the intestine in carnivorous carnivorous species is relatively short. All carnivores, with the exception of hyenas, have a penis bone. Many species have well-developed anal glands, which secrete a sharp-smelling content that serves to mark territory, and sometimes (in the skunk) for protection from enemies. The skin of predators is covered with hair. There are 2 types of wool - awn and undercoat.
Habitats
The vast majority of predatory animals lead a terrestrial lifestyle, inhabiting primarily forests and, to a lesser extent, open spaces and mountains. Among forest predators, many climb trees well, but only some species of the raccoon and viverrid families are specially adapted to living in the crowns. Some predators live near bodies of water, swim and dive well. Shelters for predatory animals are self-dug, sometimes very deep holes, other people's dwellings, as well as rock crevices, caves, niches among tree roots, hollows, piles of stones and windfalls, which in the North are covered with snow in winter. Often one predator has several shelters, others make do with open dens and simple beds on the ground and in the snow.
Squad families
Predatory squad
representative of the bear family representatives of the civet family
Characteristics of the families of the order
WOLF family (Canidae ) .Large and medium-sized animals, with a sharp muzzle, pointed ears and a long fluffy tail. They are armed with strong, but blunt and non-retractable claws. The coat color is varied: plain, speckled, spotted, sometimes very bright. Representatives of the family are distributed across all continents. They lead a single-family or group lifestyle. In most cases they are monogamous.
This family includes wolves, foxes, arctic foxes, dogs, jackals, coyotes and many others.
Family CAT (Felidae).Medium and large animals. The body is slender and flexible. The head is rounded. The fangs are long and curved. The fingers have developed pads. Felines, of all carnivores, are better adapted to obtaining animal food, mainly by stalking, and less often by stalking. They feed on the meat of their victims. Among the cats there are excellent runners. All of them are digitigrade. They feed only on animal food. Active all year round. They live mostly alone or in families.
This family includes cats, leopards, lions, cheetahs, panthers and etc.
BEAR family (Ursidae). Bears are the largest of modern predatory animals. All animals of this family have a powerful body, many with high withers; paws are strong, with large claws, five-fingered, plantigrade; the tail is short, barely visible from the fur; the head is massive, with small eyes and ears. The wool is thick, uniformly colored black, brown or white, which does not change with the seasons.
This family includes brown and polar bears,
Family MUSTELS (). Small and medium-sized animals. The body is elongated, legs are short.
This family includes martens, sables, ferrets
Conclusions:
In conclusion, I would like to make several conclusions. During my work, I got acquainted with very interesting, varied and informative information. While working on the project, I learned a lot about the life, meaning and structure of carnivores. The work was interesting, exciting, and most importantly productive!
List of used literature:
1. M.A. Kozlov, “Biology.” Animals." textbook for grades 7-8, Moscow “Enlightenment”, 1990, p.-256
2. A.G. Bannikov, P.A. Genkel, “Plants and Animals” children's encyclopedia, Moscow “Pedagogy”, 1973, p.-447
3. L. Yakhnina, A. Zaitseva, “Ecology”, encyclopedia, “Rusich”, 1998, p.-151
4. A.S. Barkov, I.B. Shustova, “Big Atlas of Animals”, “ROSMEN”, 1998, p.-67
5. www.floranimal.ru
X predator's teeth- these are four molars, differing in size and sharp, cutting tubercles.
Ost– These are thick, long hairs that protect the skin from damage.
Undercoat- This is short, soft hair that retains body heat.
They reproduce once a year and are highly fertile.
Plantigrade- when walking, they rest on the entire foot.
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cars of prey 2, birds of prey
Carnivora (Bowdich, 1821)
- Feliformia
- Caniformes (Caniformia)
(Latin Carnivora - “carnivores”) - an order of placental mammals (Mammalia), consisting of the suborders Caniformia and Feliformia. The 11 modern families of carnivores contain about 270 species in 110 genera and are distributed almost throughout the world. The vast majority of representatives of the order are classical carnivores, hunting mainly vertebrates. Carnivores are sometimes also divided into two groups, very different from each other in lifestyle: land carnivores (Fissipedia) and pinnipeds (Pinnipedia)
The scientific name Carnivora is translated from Latin as “carnivorous” and consists of two roots - caro (genus carnis) “meat” and vorare “to devour, swallow”.
Many carnivores eat more than just meat. Bears (Ursidae) are opportunistic omnivores, and some species, such as the giant panda, even specialize in plant nutrition. Among small pandas, badgers, olingos, kinkajous, raccoons and raccoon dogs, plant foods also form a significant, if not the main part of their menu. Hyenas and canids (wolves, coyotes, jackals, foxes) eat watermelons and melons in melon fields and fruits that have fallen to the ground. The medieval Arab traveler Ibn Battuta in his memoirs describes an attack by a pack of hyenas on a caravan site while crossing the Sahara Desert - one of the hyenas stole a bag of dates and ate most of it.
At the same time, there are mammals that, according to zoological classification, do not belong to the order of carnivores, but hunt other animals for food. These are gray rats, hedgehogs, moles, shrews, deer, some monkeys (baboons, chimpanzees), possums, armadillos and others.
Zoologists make a distinction between carnivores in the sense of specialization in nutrition and carnivores as a taxonometric unit (taxon). In everyday speech, “carnivores” often refer not only to the actual mammals of prey (Carnivora), but also to all other modern and fossil carnivorous vertebrates, such as sharks, crocodiles, birds of prey and theropods.
- 1 Physiology
- 1.1 General information
- 1.2 Skull and jaws
- 1.3 Limbs
- 1.4 Organs
- 2 Distribution
- 3 Lifestyle
- 3.1 Social behavior
- 3.2 Power
- 3.3 Reproduction
- 4 Taxonomy
- 4.1 External taxonomy
- 4.2 Internal taxonomy
- 5 Evolutionary history
- 5.1 Division into canids and felids
- 5.2 Development of felids
- 6 Notes
- 7 Literature
- 8 Links
Physiology
General information
Carnivores are very diverse in their appearance and contain such outwardly dissimilar representatives as mungos and walruses. In addition to pinnipeds, carnivores include all large carnivorous land 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. Size varies 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.
Skull and jaws
Red fox skull. “Carnassial teeth” are located at 20 centimetersThe jaw of land 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 canines are usually greatly enlarged. Almost all species have six small incisors in the upper and lower jaws. A few exceptions are the sloth fish, which has four in its upper jaw to suck up insects through the gaps in its teeth, and the sea otter, which has four incisors in its lower jaw.
In addition to this, all land carnivores have a common characteristic difference in their jaws: the so-called carnassial teeth, consisting of two molars adapted for cutting meat. In each half of the jaw, the carnassial teeth 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 remaining molars of carnivores, unlike carnassial teeth, are smaller. The number of molars in some families, such as cats, is reduced.
The jaws of pinnipeds differ significantly from the jaws of land predators. They are adapted to hold slippery fish and consist of one or two pairs of incisors, relatively inconspicuous fangs 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 prominent zygomatic arch and a large temporal cavity, in which the temporal muscles, important for a strong bite, are located. It is also connected to the orbit. The lower jaw is so rooted in the upper that it can mainly move only up and down. Lateral movements, such as when chewing, are possible in carnivores to an extremely limited extent and are present mainly in omnivores.
Limbs
Australian sea lion with modified limbsCarnivores have four or five toes on each paw. The thumb is not opposed to the other fingers and in some species is atrophied or reduced. The bones of the wrist are usually fused, making the joints stronger. The clavicle in both pinnipeds and other families is reduced or completely absent. Its function in other mammals is to provide the limbs with the ability to move laterally. However, in carnivores, which are primarily adapted to chasing 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 special feature of cats 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 leathery membranes.
Organs
Due to the generally low specialization for eating 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 two-horned uterus, and the mammary glands are located on the abdomen. Males, with the exception of hyenas, have a baculum and the testes are located outside the body. The brain is relatively large and has cortical grooves.
Spreading
Carnivores, with about 270 species, are one of the most extensive orders of mammals. They are found on all continents and even in Antarctica (only on the coasts).
All families of cats, with the exception of the felines themselves, which also live in the New World, are limited to the Old World. Two families of cats, the Madagascar civets and the Nandinidae, have very small ranges in Madagascar and Central Africa, respectively. Among canids, canids, bears and mustelids are common almost all over the world and are initially absent only in Australia and Antarctica. Ursids, represented in Africa by the Atlas bear, became extinct on this continent relatively recently. Skunks are found in Southeast Asia and America, pandas in Asia, and raccoons almost exclusively in America. Three families of pinnipeds inhabit the coasts and adjacent waters of all continents, as well as some freshwater bodies.
The habitat of carnivores is very diverse; there are only a few living spaces that they do not inhabit. Carnivores are found from the pack ice belt to deserts and tropical forests.
Lifestyle
Social behavior
The range of different social behavior is large not only among carnivores as a whole, but also varies significantly 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, meerkats, weasels), and others have an individual lifestyle (leopards, bears).
Nutrition
Most carnivores are carnivores. They cover their need for meat by hunting or feeding on carrion. Most carnivores, however, are omnivores, meaning their diet is supplemented by other types of food, such as berries or herbs. Many small carnivores, such as mongooses, as well as larger ones (big-eared fox, aardwolf, sloth whale) also feed on invertebrates, mainly insects. In some species of carnivores, such as the badger, raccoon dog, red panda, giant panda, palm civet, olingo and kinkajou, plant food is even primary, if not the only one. However, classic predators are included in this particular order.
Methods of killing prey are very diverse. Representatives of the canine family chase their prey until exhaustion, while cats usually quietly creep up on their prey and stun it with a quick attack. Martens are able to follow squirrels that quickly climb trees, ferrets sneak into rodent burrows, and seals hunt for fish. Large representatives of seals, such as elephant seals, can dive to depths of up to 1000 m. Some predators are capable of killing prey that is much larger than themselves. For example, tigers attack gaurs, the large bulls of Southeast Asia, and an ermine can kill a rabbit weighing several times its own weight. Wolves can also sometimes kill a small deer alone. Some species hunt cooperatively, while others go hunting alone.
Reproduction
Most carnivorous species give birth to young only once a year, but smaller species may give birth several times. In big cats and bears, two or three years usually pass between the birth of cubs. The duration of pregnancy varies from 50 to 115 days. The offspring are born extremely small, blind and incapable of independent survival.
In some mustelids and bears, embryonic development slows down. This mechanism prolongs pregnancy and ensures the birth of a baby at the most favorable time of year.
Taxonomy
External taxonomy
Based on molecular genetic studies, carnivores are currently classified by scientists as belonging to the group of Laurasiotheriums - mammals that have a common origin from the ancient continent of Laurasia. As part of this superorder, carnivores, together with pangolins and extinct creodonts, are classified into a separate group called Ferae, the sister group of which is the equids. Below is one of the most likely laurasiotherium cladograms:
Laurasiotheria (Laurasiatheria) ├─ Insectivores (Eulipotyphla) └─ Scrotifera ├─ Chiroptera (Chiroptera) └─ Fereuungulata ├─ Cetaceans (even-toed ungulates and whales) └─ Zooamata ├─ Odd-toed ungulates (P erissodactyla) └─ Ferae ├─ Pangolins (Pholidota) └─ (Carnivora)
While there is little debate about the validity of the taxon Ferae, the remaining taxonomy within the superorder Laurasiotherium remains the subject of scientific debate.
Internal taxonomy
The carnivorous order consists of two suborders, 15-16 families and has more than 250 species
The suborder Caniformes is divided into the following families:
- Canids (Canidae) - dogs, wolves, foxes
- Raccoonidae (Procyonidae) - raccoons
- Ursidae - bears and pandas
- Eared seals (Otariidae)
- Mustelids (Mustelidae) - weasels, ferrets, badgers and otters
- Pandas (Ailuridae) - red panda
- Skunks (Mephitidae or Miphelidae) - skunks
- True seals (Phocidae)
- Walruses (Odobenidae)
Suborder Felidae:
- Felidae - all cats: domestic, wild, small and large.
- Hyaenidae - hyenas and aardwolf
- Mongooses (Herpestidae) - mongooses, meerkats, etc.
- Viverridae (Viverridae) - civets, etc.
- Nandiniidae is the only species of African palm civet.
- Madagascar civets (Eupleridae) - endemic to Madagascar (10 species in seven genera) - fossa, mungo and fanaluka
Some classifications consider the suborders Arctoidea (wolfs, raccoons and bears, another option - mustelids, bears and pinnipeds) and Aeluroidea (the rest of the Fissipedia families).
Evolutionary history
The oldest representative of the order of predatory mammals, Dormaalocyon latouri, is known from Eocene deposits (55 million years ago) of the Belgian town of Dormaal near the city of Sint-Truiden.
Division into canids and felines
According to traditional opinion, carnivores were divided into two large evolutionary lines back in the early Paleocene - felids and canids. The most ancient of the first was considered to be the Viverravidae family, the earliest fossilized remains of which date back to the Paleocene. One of its representatives was the genus of small tree dwellers Protictis. The earliest group of canids was considered to be the Miacidae, which appeared in the late Paleocene (at first they were even considered the ancestors of all carnivores). Their paws were flexible, indicating the ability to climb, and their mouths had 44 teeth, among which carnassial teeth were already developed.
Newer research indicates, however, that viverravids and miacids are not the direct ancestors of both evolutionary lineages of carnivores and do not belong to the crown group of the order Carnivora(in modern classifications they are included either in this order or in a broader taxon of “carnivores” - Carnivoramorpha). However, miacids are not a monophyletic group.
As the results of molecular genetic studies show, both evolutionary lines of carnivores split about 43 million years ago.
Development of cats
One of the most ancient families of felids is the nimravidae, which were very similar to felines, but are classified 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 nimravids, but today it is placed on the same systematic level with them. Barbourofelids became extinct only in the late Miocene, when their last genus, Barbourofelis, became extinct in North America.
The first representatives of the felids were Proailurus, which appeared in the Oligocene and Miocene in Europe. Its size matched that of an ocelot. During the Miocene, felines migrated to North America and quickly replaced the nimravids living there. Pliocene they appeared in South America. The range of other families of cats, with the exception of one North American genus of hyenas, has always been limited to the Old World.
In the Zanda Basin on the Tibetan Plateau, remains of the species Panthera blytheae, which lived 6 million years ago, were found. An analysis of the remains showed that at this time at least three separate lineages of cats already existed, and the appearance of big cats occurred 16.4 million years ago.
Notes
- Milovzorova M.S. Human anatomy and physiology. - “Medicine”, 1972. - P. 39.
- Belgium found the ancestor of predators
- The cat family tree may be revised
Literature
- Biological encyclopedic dictionary edited by M. S. Gilyarov and others - M.: Sov. encyclopedia, 1989.
- Korytin S.A. Behavior and smell of predatory mammals. 2nd ed. - M.: URSS, 2007. - 224 p.
Links
- Characteristics of the carnivorous order
- Carnivores - order system of 4 superfamilies of the USSR on the website of the Moscow Zoological Museum state university named after M.V. Lomonosov
| Modern orders of mammals (Mammalia) | |||||||||
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| Kingdom: Animalia · Phylum: Chordata · Subphylum: Vertebrates · Infratype: Maxillostomes · Superclass: Tetrapods | |||||||||
| Prototheria (Primal Beasts) |
Monotremata (Monotremes, or Oviparous) | ||||||||
| Metatheria (Metatherium) |
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| Eutheria (Eutheria, or Placental) |
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