Carnivorans

Carnivorans are mammals belonging to the order Carnivora. The clade comprises two suborders, Feliformia (cat-like) and Caniformia (dog-like). Members range from small mongooses to the largest bears and pinnipeds. Well-known families include Felidae (cats), Canidae (dogs), Ursidae (bears), Mustelidae (weasels and kin), Procyonidae (raccoons), Viverridae (viverrids), and Hyaenidae (hyenas), as well as Ailuridae (red panda). The pinnipeds—seals, sea lions, and the walrus—are caniforms that live in aquatic environments.

Carnivorans are primarily meat-eaters, though many are omnivorous. Diets vary from hypercarnivory (mostly meat) in cats and seals to omnivory in bears and raccoons. Their dentition often features the carnassial pair for shearing meat, but some lineages retain more generalized teeth. Limb morphology ranges from agile terrestrial hunters to efficient aquatic swimmers, especially among pinnipeds.

Geographically widespread, carnivorans inhabit most ecosystems, from arctic shores to tropical forests. They display diverse life histories and social structures, from solitary cats to pack-hunting canids and highly social pinnipeds.

Evolutionarily, Carnivora originated in the northern continents during the Paleocene–Eocene, with early forms giving rise to the two suborders and a broad array of ecological roles. Some lineages adapted to specialized marine life, while others remain terrestrial or arboreal.

Conservation status varies; many species face threats from habitat loss, hunting, and human-wildlife conflict. Several carnivorans are keystone predators and play important roles in regulating ecosystems.