Tuesday, November 5, 2024
General Agriculture

Order of Carnivora and Perissodactyla: Species, Characteristics and their Economic Importance

The carnivora is an order of flesh eating mammals and includes the jackals, foxes, otters, weasels, civets, genets, mongooses, hyaenas, and cats (e.g. Lion and Leopard.).. Two different kinds of hyenas live in West Africa, the striped hyena and the spotted hyaena. The striped hyena lives in the open country and grasslands to the north-east of Nigeria bordering Lake Chad.

The spotted hyaena is more common than the striped hyaena and may be found in any area covered by grass. The lion is the largest of the West African cats and lives in the grasslands,
feeding mostly on antelopes which it catches and kills.

Lions are not common in West Africa, though some may still be found in the less densely populated regions of the north. The leopard is smaller than the lion and is more common. It occurs both in the forest and in grasslands.

The perissodactyla are called the ‘odd-toed’ ungulates in that the weight of the body rest on one toe (the third) as in zebras, horses and asses or on three toes (the second, third and fourth) as in the rhinoceroses.

They are completely different from the order artiodactyla in which the weight of the body rest on two (the third and fourth) or four toes (second to fifth). The perissodactyla also vary in having upper incisor teeth and are non-ruminants.

The two African families are in the order Equidae (zebras, horses, and asses.) and Rhinocerotidae (represented in Nigeria only by the Black rhinoceros, Diceros bicornis).

1. Order Carnivora

The carnivora is the largest order of flesh eating mammals in Nigeria and includes the jackals, foxes, otters, weasels, civets, genets, mongooses, hyaenas, and cats. They range in size from the Libyan striped-weasel (1kg) to the Lion (130kg or more), and show a variety of colours and markings.

Most carnivores are terrestrial and the majority are nocturnal, resting in burrows, caves, thickets, or trees during the day. Genets and palm civets are arboreal while otters are aquatic. All species in the order are predators which catch and kill their prey.

All carnivores have good sense of smell, sight and hearing. Their eyes tend to be large and usually have a reflective layer (the Tapetum Incidum) at the back of the eyes which enhances their vision at night. Most carnivores are intelligent mammals with great agility and co-
ordination, and most are strong and powerful in relation to their size.

Characteristics of the Families of Carnivore

The families of carnivora are distinguished principally by the characteristics of their teeth and skull. Therefore, a key based entirely on external features may not be completely reliable.

1. Head broad with blunt flattened nasal region; outer surfaces of ears black or partly black, claws retractile (except Acinonxy)

2. Large, SH about 70cm; broad head with pointed muzzle; forelimbs longer than hind-limbs so back slopes towards tail; pelage spotted or stripped; four digits on each foot Hyaenidae Small to medium; SH not more than 50cm (except Lycaon); fore and hind-limbs more or less equal in length; pelage not spotted on striped (Lycaon has large irregular blotches); four or five digits on each foot;

3. Small to medium; HB 45-65cm, SH 25-45cm; pelage uniform in colour with or without side-stripe, elongated muzzle and pointed erect ears, tail bushy and not tapering; or large, HB 110-120cm, SH 75-80cm, pelage with large irregular black, brown and sandy-yellow patches.

4. Small to medium; pelage with large or small spots or blotches, tail dark or with alternating dark and pale rings, pointed ears; or pelage uniform beige [light yellow brown], brown or dark brown, sometimes with speckled appearance and transverse stripes. Tail bushy and perhaps tapering towards tip, ears usually rounded Viverridae

Small to medium; dorsal pelage and flanks with black and white longitudinal lines; or dorsal pelage and flanks white with black ventral pelage; pelage dark brown with throat and chest white, glistening and water repellent Mustellidae

Common Carnivore Species

The characteristic features of the common members of the order carnivora are the following. Four well-known species discribed in the order Carnivora (Carnivores) are the Hyaena (Crocuta crocuta), Lion (Panthera leo), the Leopard (Panthera pardus) and the Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus).

1. Hyaena (Crocuta Croscuta)

Identification: A large heavily-built dog-like carnivore. Pelage prey to grey-brown with irregular roundish brown spots on dorsal surface, flanks and legs. Hair coarse and woolly, sometimes with small rufous grey crest on dorsal surface of neck and shoulders.

Head very large and broad with short muzzle, and rounded ears; no spots on head, chin, and throat. Fore limbs longer than limb-limbs so back slopes downwards to base of tail. Limbs strong, usually darker than body; digits with short non-retractile claws.

Tail short, sparsely covered with hair except for brown-black tuft on tip; tail often held vertically or forwards over back when animal is excited.

Hyaenas are scavenger (primarily so) and predators which feed on a variety of small and large prey. Spotted hyaenas live in packs or clans which vary greatly in number and may include as many as 25 animals.

Females are usually larger than males and are the dominant members of a clan, which is an unusual situation in mammals. They are mostly nocturnal but may be active during early morning or late afternoon.

2. Lion (Panthera Leo)

Identification: A large powerful cat without spots or distinctive colour makings. Pelage short, beige to sandy-brown; ventral pelage usually paler. Head large and broad short muzzle with clearly defined vibrissae, and small rounded ears with black markings on outer surface. Patterns of vibrissae very variable and may be used to identify individual animals.

In males, long fur on top of head, neck, shoulders, and chest forms a dense mane, usually darker than rest of body. Limbs short and thickset, with large paws and retractile claws. Tail long with black tuft at tip.
Lions which are less than one year old have numerous small dark beige spots on pelage.

The lion is the largest of the West African cats and lives in the grasslands. Lions live together in groups (called pride) of 2-25 individuals. Larger pride often split up into smaller sub-groups which later rejoin.

A pride is typically composed of one adult male, several females and their young. Each pride lives and hunts in a home range where strange lions are not tolerated.

The presence of a pride and the boundaries of its home range are advertised by roaring, and by urination and defaecation on tree trunks and bushes where the scent is likely to be perceived by other lions.

Hunting is usually performed by the females either single or in small groups. Lions are mostly nocturnal, although they may sometimes travel and hunt during the day. Males are usually dominant to females, and females are dominant to young.

The very mobile tail moves from side to side when the lion is angry. Lions have good senses of smell, sight and hearing. They produce a loud characteristic roar. Lions breed only once in every two years producing 1-6 young in each litter.

3. Leopard (Panthera pardus)

Identification: A large heavily-built cat; dorsal pelage buff (pale yellow-brown), beige (light yellow-brown) or yellowish brown with numerous irregular spots. Spots on dorsal pelage and flanks arranged in ‘rosettes’ each consisting of a buff or beige central part, sometimes with a small black spot, and an outer ring of two to six black round or elongated spots. Ventral pelage usually with scattered black spots.

Spots on head, neck and limbs irregular in size and shape, not arranged in rosettes. The patterning of rosettes and spots could be used to distinguish individual animals. Head is broad with short muzzle and small low-set ears. Limbs thick and short, with large paws and retractile claws. Skin of body, especially on lower flanks and vertical surface loose giving a sagging, floppy appearance. Tail long with large black spots.

Leopards are nocturnal animals and tend to remain in habitats where they are difficult, if not impossible, to see. They are solitary animals except when the mother is caring for her young (spanning about over year). They usually hunt in the night and drag their prey into a tree
where it can be protected from scavengers and kept to provide food for several days.

Leopards provide a characteristics rasping cough, similar to the noise of sewing a rough piece of wood. Urine marking probably also indicates the presence of individuals and the boundaries of their hour ranges. They produce litter of 2-3 young which could be at most times of the year.

4. Cheetah (Acininyx jubatus)

Identification: The cheetah is one of the most beautiful and graceful of the African cats. Large, slimly-built with long thin legs, hollow back, and long tail usually curved upward slightly at the tip.

Dorsal pelage sandy or beige with many small black spots as in the serval. Ventral
pelage similar in colour to dorsal pelage or paler; spots absent or obscure. Head relatively small, rounded and lightly spotted; distinctive black line from inner corner of each eye to mouth.

Limbs slender and spotted; digits with non-retractile claws. Tail very long, spotted except
for terminal end where spots merge to form black band and black tip.

The Cheetah is the fastest land animal in the world and can run up to 120km per hour over a short distance. Cheetahs are mostly diurnal; they usually hunt in early morning or late afternoon and they rest in shaded or secluded places at night and during mid-day.

They usually live singly or in pairs, although after the offspring are weaned and still living with their parents, they maintain small family groups led by the male. There are 3-4 young per litter and they become totally independent at about 15-18 months of age.

2. Order Perissodactyla

The perissodactyla are called the ‘odd-toed’ ungulates in that the weight of the body rest on either one (the third) digit as in zebras, horses and asses or on the (the second, third and fourth) as in the rhinoceroses.

They are completely dissimilar to the order artiodactyla in which the weight of the body rest on two (the third and fourth) digit or four (second to fifth) digits.

The perissodactyla also vary in having upper incisor teeth and a simple stomach without rumination of food (i.e. they are non-ruminants).

There are two African families in this order, namely:

1. Equidae (zebras, horses, and asses.)

2. Rhinocerotidae (this is represented in Nigeria only by the Black
rhinoceros, Diceros bicornis)

1. Black Rhinoceros (Dicerosbicornis)

Identification: Enormous heavily built mammals (weight 900-1300kg) with barrel shaped bodies. Skin grey, naked, often encrusted with mud. Head massive and heavy; eyes small; ears trumpet-shaped and erect; large round nostrils and rounded fleshy lips.

Two horns, composed of hardened hair, curve upwards and forwards from snout, anterior to the eyes; anterior horn long, thick and square at base, tapering to point; posterior horn similar but shorter. Limbs thickset with flat, almost circular, feet; three broad nails on each foot. Limbs of West African subspecies (longipes) longer and thinner than in other subspecies. Tail short and thin.

Black rhinos are rather solitary animals inhabiting dry wooded savannahs. They are usually seen singly or in pairs, and it is rare to see more than five individuals together. Males only associate with females for mating and most pairs or groups are mothers with young. They have extremely poor eye sight thus relying mainly on their sense of smell and hearing.

They are mostly nocturnal but they also feed and drink during the day. They are entirely herbivorous, browsing on leaves, twigs and shoots of trees, and bushes. The black rhino is more dangerous than the white rhino, especially in places where they are frequently disturbed.

They like to wallow in the mud to cool the body (due to absence of sweat glands in the skin). A single calf is born after 18 months gestation and the mother takes care of it for two years or more. Maturity is attained at 5-7 years, and females may produce young every 3-4 years.

Read Also: Order of Rodents: Species, Characteristics and their Economic Importance

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Benadine Nonye is an agricultural consultant and a writer with several years of professional experience in the agriculture industry. - National Diploma in Agricultural Technology - Bachelor's Degree in Agricultural Science - Master's Degree in Science Education - PhD Student in Agricultural Economics and Environmental Policy... Visit My Websites On: 1. Agric4Profits.com - Your Comprehensive Practical Agricultural Knowledge and Farmer’s Guide Website! 2. WealthinWastes.com - For Effective Environmental Management through Proper Waste Management and Recycling Practices! Join Me On: Twitter: @benadinenonye - Instagram: benadinenonye - LinkedIn: benadinenonye - YouTube: Agric4Profits TV - Pinterest: BenadineNonye4u - Facebook: BenadineNonye

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