The Mammal Class is split into smaller groups, called Orders. Below is a list of some Mammal Orders:
Didelphimorhphia Order: Includes opossums. Like other marsupials, these animals have a pouch for females to carry their young.
Insectivora Order: Called "insectivores." Small insect-eating mammals with small eyes and ears. These animals do eat prey other than insects. Includes: Shrews and Moles.
Chiroptera Order: Includes bats. These are the only mammals that actually fly.
Lagomorpha Order: These animals have very large front teeth. Strict vegetarians. Includes Rabbits and Hares.
Rodentia Order: Called "rodents." Makes up more than half of the world's mammal species. Mostly small in size. These mammals are usually nocturnal. Includes: Mice, Rats, Voles, Muskrats, Squirrels, Woodchucks, and Beaver.
Carnivora Order: Called "carnivores." Large predators, most of which eat a variety of plant material as well. Includes: Raccoons, Foxes, Bears, Coyotes, Weasels, Skunks, Dogs, and Cats.
Artiodactyla Order: Called "even-toed hoofed animals." Large, vegetarian animals. Includes Deer.
All of the Orders above have been split into smaller groups, called Families. Families are then split into Genera. Remember, as each group gets smaller, organisms in that group are more and more alike. Each Genus will contain individual Species.
Information on specific Families and Genera is not included on this website, but you can find out which groups a species belongs to by checking the Classification Box at the bottom of each Species Page. See the example of an Eastern Gray Squirrel below:
Eastern Gray Squirrel: