Search Mississippi Mammals
Mountain Lion (Puma concolor)
Click on a link to the left to display information
There is no information on the subject at this time
There is no information on the subject at this time
There is no information on the subject at this time
There is no information on the subject at this time
There is no information on the subject at this time
There is no information on the subject at this time
There is no information on the subject at this time
There is no information on the subject at this time
There is no information on the subject at this time
There is no information on the subject at this time
There is no information on the subject at this time
There is no information on the subject at this time
The order Carnivora (Carnivores) consists of two suborders, 15 families, and 286 currently recognized species worldwide (Wilson and Reeder 2005). North America has 49 with 22 species (families Canidae, Felidae, Mephitidae, Mustelidae, Procyonidae, and Ursidae) found in Mississippi. Several key characteristics are used to define (and in most cases distinguish) Carnivora. The major characters include the specialization of the fourth upper premolar and first lower molar as carnassial (shearing or cutting) teeth, most have a well-developed os baculum (penis bone), and carnivores usually have well-developed claws on all digits (Feldhamer et. al. 2007).
Members of the family Felidae (cats) have special characters that make them the most proficient predators in Carnivora, including large orbits, a short rostrum, well developed carnassials, members can rotate their paws, most have retractable claws, and possess a specialized pelage pattern for concealment in a wide variety of habitats.
There are no images for this species