The even-toed ungulates (Order Artiodactyla) include camels, giraffes, cattle, pigs, hippoptamuses, deer, pronghorn, and peccaries. Even-toed ungulates (artiodactyls) are hoofed mammals with feet that are symmetrical around a plane of symmetry that runs between their third and fourth toes. Many artiodactyls can run at fast speeds. Most inhabit grasslands, savannas, and plains.Some species of artiodactyls grow horns, while others exhibit antlers. Most members of this order are herbivorous (that is, they consume a plant-based diet). Some artiodactyls (such as antelopes) have a four-chambered stomach which enables them to digest celloluse from the plant matter they eat.
Classification:
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Mammalia
- Order Artiodactyla
Range and habitat:
Worldwide except for Antartica and Australia. Artiodactyls can be found in grasslands, savannas, and forests. Hippopotamuses are semi-acquatic.Members of this order:
The Order Artiodactyla includes the following families:
- Family Suidae (pigs)
- Family Tayassuidae (peccaries)
- Family Hippopotamidae (Hippopotamuses)
- Family Camelidae (camels)
- Familly Bovidae (cattle and relatives)
- Family Cervidae (deer)
- Family Antilocapridae (pronghorn)
- Family Tragulidae (chevrotains and mouse deer)
- Family Giraffidae (giraffe)
- Family Moschidae (musk deer)
