Major Orders of Placental Mammals

ArtiodactylaMembers of this order have an even number of toes within their hooves.

Examples:

-Pigs

-Camels

-Antelopes

-Cattle

PerissodactylaMembers of this order have an odd number of toes within their hooves.

Example:

-Horses

-Zebras-Tapirs

-Rhinoceroses

CetaceaCetaceans have a streamlined body and move through water with a powerful fluke . A layer of blubber keeps them warm.

Example:

-Whales

-Dolphins

PrimatesMost primates are tree dwellers. They have grasping hands and feet and long arms and legs that aid in climbing . They have excellent eyesight.

Example:

-Humans

-Apes

-Lemurs

-Monkeys

RodentiaMore than 40% of all placentel mammals are rodents . Rodents have teeth that are specialized for gnawing and can weigh from 18 to 43 kg.

Example:

-Mice

-Rats

-Beavers

ChiropteraMammals that are capable of true flight . The only example is bats.

Most bats are carnivorous and use echolocation

to find insects , which they catch while in flight . Other bats eat fruit or nectar from night-blooming flowers .

Some bats are impressive hunters that can catch fish or frogs.

XenarthaOrder of mammals that have few or no teeth.

Example:

-Anteaters – lack teeth and use their long sticky tongues to capture insects .

-Sloths – eat mostly leaves .

-Armadillos – have simple teeth and are omnivorious.

SireniaAn order of large aquatic herbivorous mammals.

Example:

-Dungongs

-Manatees

Relatives of elephants, their front limbs are flippers and they use their flattened tail for swimming . Sometimes called seacows, they graze on aquatic plants.

LagomorphaAn order of rodent-like mammals.

Example:

-Rabbits & Hares – have long hind legs and are specialized for hopping.

-Pikas –have short limbs and live in mountainous areas.

InsectivoraInsectivores are small mammals that eat mainly insects.

Example:

-Shrews

-Hedgehogs

-Mole

ProboscideaThe largest land animals alive today make up this order.

Example:

-Elephants – The trunk of an elephant is an elongated nose and upper lip and is used for picking up food or water. It also has long ivory tusks modified as upper incisors.

CarnivoraThey are adapted by their structure to feed upon flesh, though some of them, as the bears, also eat vegetable food. They have powerful jaws and their teeth are large and sharp, suitable for cutting flesh.Example:-Cats -Dogs -Foxes -Bears -Seals -Hyenas