• Order Carnivora
• 1) Order contains most major predators.
• They feed primarily (but not necessarily exclusively) on freshly killed prey.
• 2) Teeth typically I3/3 C 1/1, M variable
• 3) Most produce 1 litter per year of young with a period of extended parental care.
• 4) No North American carnivores hibernate
• 5) All have 5 toes on front feet, 4-5 on hind feet

•  

  Family Procyonidae

• a) 5 toes on all four feet, non-retractable claws

  b) Distinct ring pattern on tail

  c) Cheek teeth are blunt rather than sharp

• Example: Procyon lator - Raccoon
  Skin characteristics: ringed tail, black mask over eyes.

•  

• Family Mustelidae

• a) typically long slender bodies, short legs, short round ears, anal scent glands

  b) thick fur

  c) solitary, primarily nocturnal

  d) can delay embryo implantation in some species

• Example:

  1) Mustela putorius - domestic ferret found in captivity across US, of European origin
  Skin: Mask around eyes

  2) Mustela vision - Mink
  Skin: uniformly brown with white on chin and throat.

  3) Mustela frenata - Weasel
  Skin: brown with white belly, black tip on tail.
  White in winter with black eyes, nose and tail tip.

  4) Mustela nivalis - least weasel
  Skin: small size, brown above, white belly, short uniform brown tail.
  All white in winter.
  Mustela Skull characteristics:
  I 3/3 C 1/1 PM 3/3 M 1/2 Tot = 34
  sagittal ridge on cranium

  5) Lutra canadensis - Otter
  Skin: large size, uniform brown body and tail, webbed feet
  Skull: I 3/3 C 1/1 PM 3/3 M 1/2 Tot = 34
  no sagittal ridge

  6) Mephitis mephitis - Striped skunk
  Skin: black with white V running from nape to tail tip.

  7) Spilogale putorius - Spotted skunk
  Skin: black with mottled white blotches
  Skull: smooth cranium (no sagittal ridge)

•  

• Family Felidae - Cats

• a) long sleek bodies

  b) short rostrum, eyes facing forward

  c) triangular shaped teeth - sharp shearing edges, canines from large fangs.

  d) claws retractable

  e) usually 1 annual litter of 1-6 young.

• Example: Felis rufus - Bobcat
  Skin: short tail, black on upper tip
  Skull: I 3/3 C 1/1 PM 2/2 M 1/1 Tot = 28

•  

• Family Canidae

• a) "dog-like" in appearance, long narrow muzzle, triangular ears

  b) most are social, only foxes are solitary

• Example:

  1) Vulpes vulpes - Red fox
  Skin: rust red, white belly, long bushy tail with white tip
  Skull: temporal ridges form V

  2) Urocyon cinereoargenteus - Gray fox
  Skin: gray above, reddish below, throat white, black mane on tail with black tail tip.
  Skull: Temporal ridges form U

Order Chiroptera

Order Insectivora

Order Lagomorpha

Order Marsupial

Order Rodentia