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Insectivores. Class mammals. Orders Monotremes, Marsupials, Insectivores and Chiroptera. Where do insectivores live?

Everyone knows that, according to scientific classification, the kingdom of Animals is divided into types, which, in turn, into classes, and the latter into orders. The most common animals known to everyone since childhood, such as cats, dogs, horses and others, are mammals. This class, in turn, belongs to

Classification of mammals

Among this class there are two subclasses and twenty-one squads. The first subclass is monotreme. These include the platypus and echidna. The peculiarity of these animals is that they do not give birth to cubs, but lay eggs, but the offspring that emerge from them are fed with milk. Representatives of the second subclass - viviparous - are divided into marsupials (lower) and placentals (higher), the latter include the remaining nineteen orders. These are pinnipeds, chiropterans, carnivores, cetaceans, edentates, hyraxes, sirens, proboscideans, artiodactyls, aardvarks, odd-toed ungulates, woolly pterans, rodents, callouseds, lizards, lagomorphs, primates and insectivores. It’s the latter that interests us. Today we will talk about what examples exist, the names and basic habits of these mammals will also be discussed in our article.

Brief description of the squad

The vital organs of the representatives of this order retained the primitive features that were inherent. Thus, the cerebral hemispheres of the brain of insectivores contain almost no convolutions, the skull has an elongated shape, the teeth are sharp, tuberculate, they are difficult to divide into groups. Most of the animals that belong to this group are small in size, the skin is represented by short soft hairs or short spines, and the paws have five toes. Many of these creatures are primarily nocturnal, but some are active during the day. From the name of the order it is clear that the basis of their diet is made up of various insects.

Representatives

Not everyone knows which animals are insectivores. Their names, meanwhile, have been known to us since childhood. Although there are also unfamiliar species, which we will also talk about a little later. For now, let's focus on the "old comrades".

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Moles

The mole is also a prime example of an insectivorous animal. These representatives of mammals have many of the characteristic features of this class, but there are also distinctive features. The skin of moles, unlike the hedgehogs discussed above, is presented in the form of short dark hair. The front paws of these animals have a rather specific appearance for insectivores - they are enlarged, they have long claws, as they are designed for convenient digging of the ground. Moles live in the ground, where they make burrows with numerous nests and tunnels. Here it is convenient for them to find food in the form of larvae of various insects, etc. Another distinctive feature of the mole is its underdeveloped eyes - since it lives underground, it practically does not need them; The main sensory organ is the nose.

Shrews

Speaking about which animals are insectivores, we need to mention them. Each of us has heard about this funny animal at least once. It is as widespread on the Eurasian continent as the “brothers” described above. These animals are found almost everywhere except Australia, South America and Antarctica. These are small creatures, covered with thin fur, active at any time of the day. They feed, of course, on insects and... other small animals that are found in the ground, as is clear from their name. Sometimes they also eat seeds. The shrew family includes shrews and shrews. They bring great benefits, like hedgehogs, destroying many harmful insects.

Little-known representatives of this order

Now let’s talk about those representatives of the detachment we are considering, whom not everyone knows, so to speak, by sight (well, or in the face). So, what animals are insectivores? For example, the tenrec family. These creatures are very similar to hedgehogs; previously they were even classified as one family. Tenrecs live in Madagascar and are a very ancient family of insectivores, whose representatives have been known since the Cretaceous period. They, like hedgehogs, have spines, usually dark in color. Some species have yellow spots on them. An interesting feature of the mentioned animals is their extremely low metabolism and absolutely low body temperature, which is usually not characteristic of mammals.

Another interesting and little-known species to ordinary people is the slittooth. These are insectivorous animals that are quite large in size. Their habitat is Cuba and Haiti. They look like large shrews or rats, but have longer legs and, unlike rats, a longer snout like a proboscis. It is interesting that the slittooth belongs to the few poisonous mammals; the poison is secreted by a gland, the duct of which is located on the lower jaw. Listed in the Red Book.

The jumper is also an example of an insectivorous animal. Most of all, it resembles a jerboa, and lives in Africa. The basis of its diet consists of termites, other insects, seeds, and small fruits.

The smallest mammal in the CIS countries

This can rightfully be called which also applies to the detachment discussed in this article. Its dimensions are approximately 4-5 cm (including the tail), and its weight is only 2-4 grams.

Carnivores (the concept that will be used in this article) are carnivorous mammals that are among the most dangerous animals on the planet. They come in many shapes and sizes, ranging from 30 gram weasels to 500 kilogram bears, and their diet includes everything that moves, from birds, fish, reptiles to other mammals. In this article, you will discover 10 interesting facts about predators, including the classification of this order of mammals and their communication features.

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Carnivores can be divided into two main groups

There are two main "suborders" of carnivores: Caniformes (Caniformia) and Felidae (Feliformia). Suborder Caniformia includes dogs, bears, wolves, raccoons, skunks as well as walruses, seals, etc. Feliformia includes lions, tigers, domestic cats, hyenas, mongooses, etc.

Previously, marine mammals belonged to the suborder Pinnipeds, and then were classified as Caniformia.

There are 15 main families

Two suborders Caniformia And Feliformia Carnivores are divided into 15 families.

Caniformes include:

  • canids (wolves, dogs and foxes);
  • mustelids (weasels, ferrets, badgers and otters);
  • bears (bears and pandas);
  • skunks (skunkoa);
  • raccoonidae (raccoons);
  • eared seals;
  • real seals;
  • pandas (small pandas);
  • walruses.

Felidae include:

  • (lions, tigers and cats);
  • hyenas (hyenas);
  • mongooses (mongooses, meerkats);
  • civets;
  • nandiniaceae;
  • Madagascar civets.

Not all carnivores are dedicated meat eaters

It may seem strange that not all carnivores eat exclusively meat and can consume other foods. At one end of the scale are the felines, which are "super predators." They get all their energy and calories from fresh meat. At the other end of the scale are red pandas and raccoons, which eat small amounts of meat (in the form of bugs and lizards) but spend most of their time foraging for tasty vegetation.

There is even one exclusively vegetarian “meat-eater” - the musang from the civet family.

Predators can only move their jaws up and down

When you watch a dog or cat eat, you may notice sloppy slurping and jaw movement up and down. This feature is associated with the characteristic shape of the skull of predators: the lower jaw is rooted in the upper, and the muscles are attached in such a way that they do not allow movement from side to side. Due to the special skull structure of carnivores, their brains are larger than those of other mammals, which is why cats, dogs and bears tend to be much smarter than goats, horses and hippos.

All land predators descended from a common ancestor

As far as paleontologists can tell, all carnivores living today, from cats and dogs to bears and hyenas, are ultimately descended from miacids - tiny, 0.5 kg mammals that lived in Western Europe about 55 million years ago, after 10 million years after the death of the dinosaurs. Myacids were the first mammals with the characteristic teeth and jaws of carnivores, and served as the basis for the subsequent evolution of carnivores.

Carnivores have relatively simple digestive systems

In general, plants are much more difficult to eat and digest than fresh meat - which is why the intestines of horses, hippos and moose are longer, and ruminants have multi-chambered stomachs (such as the 4-chambered stomach of cows). In contrast, carnivores have a relatively simple digestive system, with a shorter, more compact intestine and a large stomach that allows them to consume a lot of food at once.

This explains why your indoor cat regurgitates grass, because his digestive system is simply not designed to digest fibrous proteins from plants.

Predators are the most skilled hunters in the world

Carnivores may be the most dangerous animals on earth. The crushing jaws of dogs and wolves, the lightning speed of cheetahs, the retractable claws of tigers, the massive paws of bears are the result of millions of years of evolution, during which one rule has been well studied: one missed meal creates a fine line between life and death.

In addition to their large brains, carnivores also have exceptionally keen vision, hearing and smell, making them more dangerous when hunting.

Some carnivores are more social than others

Carnivores exhibit a wide range of social behavior, and nowhere are the differences more pronounced than between the two most famous families of carnivores: felids and canids. Dogs and wolves are highly social animals, typically hunting and living in packs, while most big cats tend to be solitary, forming small family groups only when necessary (such as prides of lions).

In dogs, submission to the leader (alpha) is in their blood, which is why they are so trainable. With cats everything is different - they are independent and very difficult to subdue.

Predators have quite varied communication

Compared to herbivorous mammals such as deer and horses, carnivores are some of the loudest animals on the planet. The barks of dogs, the howls of wolves, the roars of big cats, the growls of bears, and the fearsome hoots of hyenas are various means of establishing dominance, initiating courtship, or warning others of danger. Predators can also communicate non-verbally: through smell (urine and feces) or through body language (there are various positions that demonstrate the animals' intentions in a variety of situations).

Today's carnivores aren't much smaller than their ancestors

Back in the Pleistocene era, about a million years ago, virtually every mammal on the planet had a giant comic ancestor in the family tree (for example, the two-ton prehistoric armadillo Glyptodon). But this rule does not apply to carnivores, many of which (like the saber-toothed tiger and dire wolf) were quite bulky, but no larger than their modern descendants.

Today, the largest carnivore in the world is considered the southern elephant seal, the males of which can reach a weight of more than 5 tons. The smallest predator is the weasel, which weighs from 30 g.

Phylum chordates, subphylum vertebrates, class mammals, subclass placentals, orders...

Class mammals

Mammals are the most highly organized class of vertebrates. Their body sizes are different: for the dwarf shrew - 3.5 cm, for the blue whale - 33 m, body weights are 1.5 g and 120 tons, respectively. The main progressive features of mammals are as follows: 1. high level of development of the central nervous system; 2. viviparity and feeding of the cubs with the product of the mother’s body - milk; 3. The ability for thermoregulation is developed.

The coat, and in some cases the subcutaneous fat layer, is of great importance in regulating heat transfer. These features, as well as a number of other organizational features, made it possible for mammals to become widespread in a wide variety of conditions. The total number of species of modern mammals is approximately 4.5 thousand.

Order insectivores

The hemispheres of the brain are small and lack convolutions. The teeth are poorly differentiated. Fangs rarely have a typical shape and large size. The facial region of the majority is elongated into a movable proboscis. Many species have scent glands. Insectivores are medium-sized and very small animals. Among insectivores there are terrestrial, aquatic and arboreal species. In the fauna of Russia there are species of three families: moles (common and Siberian moles), hedgehogs (common and long-eared hedgehogs), shrews (common shrew and water shrew).

Order Chiroptera

The only group of mammals adapted to real flight in the air. They serve as wings leathery membranes, located between the very long toes of the forelimbs, sides of the body, hind limbs and tail. The sternum bears the keel, to which the pectoral muscles are attached, driving the wings.

The organs of touch, in addition to the usual tactile corpuscles and vibris, are represented by numerous thin hairs scattered on the surface of the flight membranes and auricles. Vision is weak. Hearing is extremely subtle. Lifestyle is twilight and nocturnal. Bats are distributed throughout the globe, except the Arctic and Antarctic. Species: long-eared bats, noctules, bats, leather bats, pipistrelle bats, horseshoe bats.

Squad of rodents

Most rodents are small and medium-sized animals that feed mainly or exclusively on plant foods. In this regard, their dental apparatus is unique. There are no fangs. Due to the diet of coarse plant foods, the intestinal tract is long. All species have a cecum that acts as a “fermentation vat.” Most species are characterized by the ability to reproduce quickly, which is associated with early puberty and a large number of young born. Among them there are terrestrial, underground and semi-aquatic species.

Many species are important objects of the fur trade: squirrel, muskrat, marmots, beaver. Among rodents there are many agricultural pests and species that spread dangerous diseases, such as plague. Includes the following families: Squirrel family (gophers, marmots, squirrels, chipmunks), Mouse family (mice - house, forest, field; rats - gray and black), Hamster family (muskrats, hamsters, gerbils, lemmings, voles).

Order Lagomorpha

Lagomorphs do not have canines and the incisors are separated from the molars by a wide space (diastema). Unlike rodents, the stomach of lagomorphs consists of two sections: the fundic, where only bacterial fermentation of food occurs, and the pyloric, where food is digested only in the presence of the enzyme pepsin. It is believed that the similarity of rodents and lagomorphs is only external (convergent). There are two well-defined families in the order: Family Hare (Representatives of the family are characterized by elongated hind legs and very long ears. White hare, Brown hare, sand hare, wild rabbit), Family of pikas or haymakers (Daurian, northern, steppe pikas).

Predatory squad

The order of carnivores unites mammals that are, to one degree or another, adapted to feeding on animal food. Most species hunt animals, less often they use carrion. The general appearance and body size of carnivores are very different. This order includes tiny weasels and mighty bears. The main common feature is the structure of the dental system. The collarbones are vestigial or absent. The forebrain is well developed and covered with convolutions. The stomach is simple, the intestines are relatively small. The uterus is bicornuate. The testes are in the scrotum, there is a penis bone. Monogamous, breed once a year. The most common representatives of the following four families: Canine family (wolf, fox, corsac fox, arctic fox), Cat family (tiger, leopard, leopard, lynx), Bear family (brown, black, white), Mustelidae family (sable, pine marten, ermine , Siberian weasel, light polecat, sea otter, acclimatized species - American mink).

Order Perissodactyls

Large ungulates in which the axis of the limb passes through the third finger, which receives preferential development. The degree of reduction of the lateral fingers varies in different groups, which is associated with greater or lesser adaptability to fast running. There are no collarbones. The stomach is simple. One pair of nipples in the groin area. There are three families in the order: Horse family( kulan donkey, zebra, Przewalski's horse),

Rhinoceros family( Indian rhinoceros, African white rhinoceros), Tapir family( mountain, Central American, black-backed).

Order Artiodactyls

Usually large, herbivorous animals with the ability to run quickly. In this regard, their legs are usually long; the terminal phalanges of the fingers bear the hooves. The third and fourth fingers are developed to the same extent, and the axis of the limb runs between them. The second and fifth fingers are more or less underdeveloped. When walking, the limbs can only move in one plane; there are no collarbones. Herbivores. The stomach in most species is complex, consisting of several sections; rarely simple.

Order Pinnipeds

The general shape of the body is elongated, spindle-shaped. The neck is shortened and does not have a pronounced interception. The limbs are shortened and modified into flippers. The coat is reduced to one degree or another. Subcutaneous fat deposits are very well developed, performing the functions of thermal insulation, as well as protecting the body from mechanical damage and reducing the density of the animal. Most species do not have an external auricle, but their hearing is very good. The sense of smell is well developed. Vision, on the contrary, is weak. The dental system is similar in basic features to that of terrestrial predators, but the differentiation of the teeth is less pronounced.

Order Cetaceans

An extremely unique group of mammals whose entire life is spent in water. Their body is spindle-shaped, streamlined, with a disproportionately large head. There is no cervical interception. The forelimbs are turned into flippers, the hind limbs are absent. Only two rudimentary bones, not connected to the axial skeleton, remain from the pelvic girdle. The skin is bare. There are no sweat or sebaceous glands. There is one pair of mammary glands. The nipples open into pocket-shaped sinuses. Subcutaneous fat is very developed. There are no auricles, but the hearing organ is well developed. Toothed whales have a developed ability for echolocation. Vision is well developed.

Order primates

These are ancient mammals whose ancestors were insectivores. Body length ranges from 12 cm (dwarf lemur) to 180 cm and above (gorilla). The order includes two suborders of different external structure - monkeys and prosimians. Monkeys are characterized by a strong development of the cerebral hemispheres, the cortex of which forms a complex system of convolutions and grooves. Plantigrade animals with well-developed five-fingered grasping limbs adapted for climbing trees. The first finger (thumb) can be opposed to the rest. The fingers of monkeys have flat nails; prosimians more often have claws. There is a collarbone.

They feed mainly on mixed food with a predominance of plants. They live in herds, rarely in pairs. They breed all year round. Among prosimians, a large number of species of lemurs, lorises, and tarsiers are known. Among the monkeys, the best known are capuchins, marmosets, monkeys and apes. Greater primates include the gorilla, chimpanzee, orangutan, gibbon and human.

The amazing world of nature amazes with its diversity and beauty. Some of the most interesting animals are insectivores. To expand your knowledge of biology, you need to study these animals. A detailed description of insectivorous animals will help you learn about their characteristics.

Who are insectivores

These include one of the most ancient groups of animals. Their remains were found by scientists in the deep layers of the Mesozoic era. The oldest of them is about 135 million years old. Representatives of this family include: moles, shrews, hedgehogs, muskrats, and several species of birds. They live on the ground, in fresh water reservoirs, forests, and also in the soil. Among the winged insectivores are: finches, orioles, warblers, and cuckoos.

The hedgehog is considered the most primitive and resistant to external changes. The shrew and mole were almost the same as hedgehogs, but at the end of the Eocene era they had to adapt to new living conditions. Evolution has subjected these animals to external changes.

Signs of the insectivorous family

It is quite easy to identify its representative. The head of these animals is slightly elongated and always ends with a small proboscis, which reacts sharply to any odors. Some animals have no visible eyes, as they are hidden under folds of skin. The most active sense organs are smell and touch. They help the animals obtain insect larvae from the most inaccessible places.

The number of teeth varies from 26 to 44. In the spaces between the molars there are sharp ridges that form the letter W or V. It is this type of dentition that is considered a special feature of insectivorous animals. The body shape of animals largely depends on their lifestyle. The limbs always have feet and fingers with claws. The fur on the skin is also quite different, differing in thickness and softness. Some types of insectivorous animals wear spines on their bodies. The color of the animals is mainly monochrome, with gray, black, brown and brown colors predominating.

Where do insectivores live?

They live everywhere, excluding Antarctica, Australia, and some areas of South America. These animals can be found right up to the very closest environs of the Arctic Ocean. Animals have a nocturnal, aboveground, underground or underwater lifestyle. Insectivorous birds live in trees and bushes. In almost every city and town you can see starlings, finches, thrushes and hoopoes. Nests of cuckoos, warblers, and kinglets often appear on old trees. The number of sparrows and titmice also seems to increase every year - these little feathered friends are regular guests of any park or city street.

Characteristics of the hedgehog family

The order contains a large number of insectivorous animals. The most common are common and long-eared hedgehogs. Each of these species has 5 varieties. The animals are distinguished by medium shapes. The body length of an ordinary hedgehog ranges from 13 to 27 cm. The entire back is covered with thin but sharp spines, which are also found on the sides of the animal. Long and sparse hair grows between the needles. There are no needles on the hedgehog's abdomen - it is completely covered with coarse hairs.

The head of hedgehogs is oblong, slightly wedge-shaped. The muzzle is elongated and has a thin, movable nose that resembles a trunk. The color of hedgehogs is always gray or brown, with black or brown spots. Nature ordered that these animals blend in color with the earth as much as possible. This makes it easier for them to move around and collect food without being seen by predators.

The smallest insectivorous animals are shrews

Another species of mammal that prefers to eat insect and worm larvae. Due to their modest size, they have extraordinary agility and speed. Like many insectivorous animals, shrews do not like sunlight, dryness and heat. They live in different areas. They can always be found in the forest, among dense bushes, in meadows and fields. They are also permanent residents of any vegetable garden or garden. From there they try to eradicate them in every possible way, since these animals can spoil the beautiful appearance of home flower beds.

Being unusually voracious, they eat constantly. Shrews' favorite food is insects and worms. These animals lead an active life throughout the year. In winter, they dig tunnels under the snow, looking for insects that have gone into hibernation. By eating pests, shrews help humans and save plants from destruction.

Endangered species of insectivore - muskrat

This species of animal is listed in the Red Book and is carefully protected in protected areas and zoos. This happens due to the fact that the number of muskrats is decreasing very quickly. If we do not take care of them, the planet may lose these useful forest orderlies.

In appearance, we can say that the muskrat is very similar to the shrew, but is several times larger. The animal lives on rivers and leads a semi-aquatic existence. It can not be found in every area. This species prefers rivers belonging to the Dnieper, Don, Ural and Volga basins. The muskrat's tail is quite long, slightly compressed at the sides, and its limbs are equipped with membranes for rapid movement under water. The fur of these animals is surprisingly soft, thick and silky. Has water-repellent properties. The muskrat lives in burrows, which it likes to create in floodplains. They usually only have one outlet underwater.

Underground inhabitants - moles

These animals are also among the most common insectivores. Moles live in underground burrows. For housing, they choose forest or rural areas with water currents. Moles dig a hole for themselves with their front paws. Their wide and everted hands can dig a deep tunnel in the shortest possible time. They push out excess soil with their muzzle, creating vertical passages at the top. Such slides on the surface are called molehills. They are a sign that a mole has settled nearby.

Insectivorous animals (moles, in particular) have very poorly developed eyes. From the outside, they only resemble small black dots. Moles also do not have ears. The ear is covered with a fold of skin to prevent soil from getting into it. The coat is very thick and short. For convenient movement underground, it is deprived of one direction. The fur fits tightly to the mole's skin and therefore does not interfere with its movement in different directions.

Long-term observation of insectivorous mammals has made it possible to identify many interesting facts regarding their life and living conditions. Among the most unusual and surprising are the following:


Interesting facts about insectivorous animals allow you to learn a lot about them. Every type of animal deserves to be treated with care. They cleanse the soil and plants of pests. That is why they need care and protection.

Insectivores are a group of primitive placental mammals of the chordate type. These are the most ancient animals, the development of embryos of which occurs through the formation of the placenta. They appeared on Earth during evolution at the beginning of the Cretaceous period. Paleontologists consider the ancestors of insectivores to be the progenitors of all placental mammals.

The order Insectivores unites seven families: moles, hedgehogs, slittooths, jumpers, golden moles, tenrecs, shrews. The orders, in turn, are divided into more than 60 genera, including more than 300 species. Representatives of insectivores are hedgehog, shrew, mole, muskrat.

Insectivores are widespread throughout the world, except Antarctica, Greenland, Australia and most of South America. These animals inhabited different habitats: terrestrial (shrews, hedgehogs), aquatic (muskrats, otter shrews), soil (moles, golden moles). Insectivores are predominantly nocturnal. They are omnivores, but give preference to animal food, feeding on invertebrates (including insects - hence the name of the order) and small vertebrates. Many insectivores dig holes in which they hide from enemies. Some species hide in the forest floor. Insectivores are active throughout the year; rare species from the hedgehog family are able to hibernate for the winter.

Insectivorous mammals are usually small to medium in size. The body cover of shrews and moles is short, dense hair, tenrecs are covered with bristles, and hedgehogs are covered with spines. The color of the coat is varied - from gray to black, sometimes spotted. The head of insectivores is elongated and often has a movable proboscis with long sensitive hairs. The eyes and ears of these animals are small in size and almost invisible. They have a very well developed sense of smell and touch. The teeth of all animals of this group are poorly differentiated. The limbs of most species of insectivores are plantigrade, each with five fingers with claws. The tail can be almost invisible, like that of a hedgehog, or equal in length to the size of the body, like that of a muskrat. In the skin of animals there are special skin glands; in some species they secrete a secretion with a strong odor.

The structure of the brain has characteristic features. The large hemispheres have a primitive structure without convolutions. They are small in size and do not cover the cerebellum, and the olfactory part of the brain is well developed.

Insectivores are polygamous animals. They breed 2-3 times a year, with litters ranging from one to twenty young.

The importance of insectivores lies in the fact that they are members of a variety of natural biocenoses. For humans, some species of insectivores serve as objects of fur trade (moles, muskrats). Insectivores eat arthropods - pests of agriculture and forestry. But they themselves can be dangerous to people, since some of them are intermediate hosts of ticks that carry serious diseases. Rare species of insectivores, such as the muskrat and the slittooth, are listed in the Red Book and are protected.