Carnivores By: Mark Fortese

Carnivora Comes from the Latin “caro”, meaning “flesh”, and “vorare”, meaning “to devour” Order of mammals 269 species world wide 14 species in pa (not including the mountain lion)

Carnivora All carnivores eat meat, but some like bears are omnivorous which means they also eat vegetation Carnivore teeth are distinct and they have large canines and carnassial teeth Their teeth are designed to cut through flesh

Carnivore Teeth

Carnvora Taxonomy Two main sub-orders: – Feliformia (cat-like) – Caniformia (dog-like) Feliforms all have a double chambered auditory bulla where caniforms have a single boned auditory bulla

Feliform vs. Caniform

In Pennsylvania All but 1 species of carnivore in Pennsylvania are Caniforms The bobcat is the only species that is a Feliform 5 families including 13 species make up the rest of PA’s carnivores

PA Carnivores The family with the most species in our state is also the largest family of carnivores in the world and is probably the least known about by the public They are the Mustelidae or commonly know as weasels – The 6 species of Mustelidae in PA are : Otter, Mink, Fisher, Long-tailed Weasel, Least Weasel and Ermine

Mustelidae in PA