CARNIVORES

CARNIVORES (Carnivora), an order of mammals. There are 7 known families with 240 species. There are 16 species of 5 families (Procyonidae, Felidae, Mustelidae, Ursidae, Canidae) in the RB. The length of their bodies varies from 11 (weasel) to 250 cm (brown bear), and their mass varies from 100 g to 700 kg. Their pelage may be short and rough (most of Felidae) or thick and fluffy (Mustelidae). Badger and bear fall in hibernation in winter, while raccoon dog falls in shallow sleep. They feed on meat, many species also feed on plant food. They have a terrestrial lifestyle, inhabit forests, and rarely other biotopes. They are spread throughout the whole territory of the RB. River otter and European mink are included in The Red List of the RB.