Carnivores

While most species classified under the order Carnivora are meat-eaters, this trait is not exclusive to the order. Some bats, primates and cetaceans also eat meat. Conversely, many carnivorans are omnivorous and some, such as the herbivorous giant panda and the insectivorous aardwolf (Proteles cristatus), no longer eat meat at all.

What makes a mammal a carnivoran is that it shares a common ancestor with other members of the order. Most of them also share certain features, including long, pointed canine teeth and special molars, or carnassials, which in most are knifelike for cutting meat guillotine-style. Among the omnivorous ursids and among some procyonids, however, the carnassials are not nearly as sharp, better suited for crushing and pulverizing a wider choice of food.

Foot anatomy also varies between the carnivorous and the omnivorous members of this order. Although many of the predatorial felids and canids possess a five-toe formation, they have a digitigrade stance, which keeps them on the "balls" of their feet, helping them to leap and pounce. The omnivores, such as the bears, however, tend to walk with the entire length of their feet on the ground, a plantigrade stance that provides greater stability. Carnivora's aquatic members, including the sea lion, the seal and the walrus, naturally, have feet adapted for swimming — one of many notable morphological differences separating them from other carnivorans.

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