Carnivora

flesh-eating animals. In one sense of the word a mosquito hawk is a flesh eater, so is an eagle; but the term is restricted to mammals with small heads and sharp teeth for seizing and rending their prey. Carnivora are of two groups. The first includes the seal, walrus, seahorse, etc., which may be regarded as otters with legs changed into swimming flippers. They are very agile in the water, but are clumsy and decidedly out of their element on the land. Four-legged carnivora fitted for pursuit of their prey and for terrestrial life are divided into five families:

1. The cat family, with five retractile claws on each foot,--cat, lion, tiger, leopard, etc.

2. The dog family, with five non-retractile claws on each foot,--dog, wolf, fox, jackal, etc.

3. The hyena family, long front legs and with non-retractile claws, four toes on each foot,--hyena, aardwolf, etc.

4. The weasel family, with long bodies and short legs, usually five toed,--the weasel, marten, mink, skunk, wolverin, and badger.

5. The bear family, with flatfooted (plantigrade) extremities,--the bear, raccoon, etc.

For carnivorous plants, see VENUS' FLYTRAP; PITCHER PLANT; SUNDEW; etc.