Carnivora

American  

[kahr-niv-er-uh] / kɑrˈnɪv ər ə /

noun

1. the order of placental mammals comprising the carnivorans and noted for much diversity in habitats, sizes of species, and diets: divided into two suborders, Caniformia (dogs and doglike species) and Feliformia (cats and catlike species).

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Etymology

Origin of Carnivora

First recorded in 1820–30; from New Latin, Latin carnivora (animālia) “meat-eating (animals),” neuter plural of carnivorus carnivorous

Example Sentences

Despite being part of the meat-eating order Carnivora, pandas typically practice a plant-based diet, eschewing salmon and seal meat at the bear family barbecue for shoots of bamboo.

From New York Times • Jun. 30, 2022

Carnivora is the name of the taxon at the order level; Canidae is the taxon at the family level, and so forth.

From Textbooks • Jun. 9, 2022

Species in the mammal group Carnivora are among the most carnivorous and specialized of all predators.

From Slate • Nov. 13, 2013

Although the new animal is in the taxonomic order Carnivora — a group of mammals that includes cats and dogs — it is not carnivorous because it does not primarily eat meat.

From Washington Post • Aug. 15, 2013

One obvious explanation, regardless of probability or merit, is that some of these do not belong to the Carnivora.

From Preliminary Survey of a Paleocene Faunule from the Angels Peak Area, New Mexico by Wilson, Robert W.