Patások

Patások is a Hungarian term that generally refers to hoofed mammals. This broad category encompasses a diverse group of placental mammals characterized by the presence of hooves, which are specialized keratinous coverings on their feet. These hooves are adapted for locomotion and are crucial for their survival, providing support and protection while they move across various terrains.

The order Artiodactyla, also known as even-toed ungulates, and the order Perissodactyla, or odd-toed ungulates, are the two primary taxonomic groups traditionally associated with patások. Even-toed ungulates, such as deer, cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, and hippopotamuses, have an even number of toes on each foot, typically two or four. Odd-toed ungulates, including horses, rhinoceroses, and tapirs, have an odd number of toes, most commonly three.

These animals are found in a wide range of habitats worldwide, from grasslands and forests to deserts and mountains. Their diets are predominantly herbivorous, consisting of grasses, leaves, fruits, and other plant matter. Patások play significant ecological roles as herbivores, influencing plant communities through grazing and browsing. Many species are also important sources of food and resources for humans, domesticated for agricultural purposes or hunted in the wild. The term "patások" therefore represents a significant and ecologically diverse segment of the mammalian fauna.