Everyone knows that, according to scientific classification, the animal kingdom is divided into types, they in turn - to the classes, and the last - on the troops.The most common and well-known to all childhood animals such as cats, dogs, horses and other mammals are.This class, in turn, is of the type Chordata.
Classification mammals
Among this class are two subclasses and twenty-one unit.First Division - monotremes.These include the platypus and echidna.The peculiarity of these animals is that they do not give rise to young and laying eggs, but offspring that are appear milk feed.The representatives of the second subclass - viviparous - divided into marsupials (lower) and the placenta (the highest), the latter includes other nineteen teams.It pinnipeds, bats, prey, cetaceans, Edentates lady, sirens, proboscidians, artiodactyls, aardvarks, solipeds, COLUGO, rodents, camelids, reptiles, lagomorphs, primates and insectivores.Here are the latest and we are interested in.Today we'll talk about what are the carnivorous animals.Examples of names and the basic habits of these mammals will also be considered in this article.
Brief description detachment
vital organs of representatives of the troop retained primitive features that were characteristic of ancient animals.Thus, the cerebral hemispheres insectivorous almost no wobble, the skull has an elongated shape, the teeth are sharp, lumpy, difficult to separate them into groups.Most of the animals that belong to this group are small, the skin is a short soft hairs or spines rather short, paws have five fingers.Many of these creatures are mostly nocturnal, but some are active during the day.From the name of the order it is clear that the basis of their diet consists of various insects.
representatives
Not everyone knows what animals - insectivores.Their names are among those known to us from childhood.Although there are little-known species, about which we will talk about later.In the meantime, focus on "old comrades".
Jerzy
most famous and common example of carnivorous animals - an ordinary hedgehog.This family has 14 species.By the way, a hedgehog - this is an example of carnivorous animals, the skin of which is a thorn, not wool.In addition to the ordinary (or European) hedgehog, which we can often see, for example, in the country, there is also a South African, eared, Indian, Chinese, temnoigly, Ethiopian, Amur, collared and others.Individuals who live in a hot area, are large in size ears.In such circumstances, the last act as a regulator of body temperature.Therefore, almost all the animals that live in the desert, have large ears.Hedgehogs usually more active at night.The diet consists of a variety of insects, worms, which they search in the ground.Also, animals can eat frogs, mice and even vipers venom with almost no effect on them.It is a mistake to assume that hedgehogs eat apples and other fruit - they strung them on the needles to get rid of fleas and other parasites due to the acid contained in the juice.In winter, the animals, and many insectivorous, hibernate.
Moles Mole - as a prime example of carnivorous animals.These representatives mammals share many features of this class, but there are distinctive features.Skin moles, unlike the above-urchins, presented in the form of short dark hair.The front legs of the animals are rather specific for the carnivorous species - they are enlarged, they are located long claws, as they are designed for easy digging the earth.Moles live in the soil where the holes arrange themselves with numerous nests and tunnels.Here it is convenient to find food in the form of worms, larvae of various insects, and so on. D. Another distinctive feature of the mole are underdeveloped eyes - as he lives under the ground, they almost do not need it;the main sensory organ - the nose.
Shrews
Saying what animals - insectivores need to mention them.Each of us at least once heard about this funny animals.It is as common on the Eurasian continent, as described above "colleagues."There are these animals almost everywhere except in Australia, South America and Antarctica.These are small creatures, covered with sparse fur, active at any time.Eat, of course, insects and other small animals ... that are in the earth, it is evident from their names.Sometimes they also eat seeds.The family of shrews are shrew and white-toothed shrew.They bring huge benefits, as well as sea urchins, destroying many harmful insects.
Little-known representatives of this unit
Let's talk about those members of the order before us, which not everyone knows, so to speak, in the face (well, in the face).So, what are insectivorous animals?For example, a family Tenrec.These creatures are very similar to hedgehogs before they even ranked as one family.Streaked inhabit Madagascar and the Comoros.This is a very ancient family of insectivore, whose representatives are known from the Cretaceous period.They, as well as sea urchins have spines usually dark in color.Some species have yellow stains on them.An interesting feature of the mentioned animals is very low metabolism and absolutely low body temperature, which is usually not typical mammals.
Another interesting and little-known views of ordinary people - SOLENODON.This insectivorous animals that differ quite a large size.Area of their habitat - Cuba and Haiti.They look like large shrews or rats, but have longer legs and, unlike the rats, a long snout-like proboscis.It is interesting that SOLENODON belongs to the few venomous mammals, poison released gland duct which is located on the lower jaw.Are listed as endangered.
Prygunchik - as an example of carnivorous animals.Most of all, he recalled the coney and live in Africa.The basis of his diet are the termites, other insects, seeds, small fruits.
The smallest mammal in the CIS
thus can rightly be called a tiny shrew, which also belongs to the order discussed in this article.Its dimensions are approximately 4-5 cm (including tail) and weight - only 2-4 grams.
