209
you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
view the rest of the comments
this post was submitted on 08 Aug 2025
209 points (100.0% liked)
cats
24407 readers
891 users here now
Typical internet cats. Videos, pics, memes, and discussion welcome!
Rule 1) Be kind
Rule 2) Follow the lemmy.world rules
other cat communities
founded 2 years ago
MODERATORS
The ferret (domesticated European polecat) of the Mustelidae (badger, weasel) family is actually closer to canines, belonging to the Caniformia (dog-like) suborder that also includes wolves, bears, raccoons, otters ans seals.
Today I learned about sub orders! Feliformia (cat-like carnivores) and Caniformia (dog-like carnivores) are distinguished by several anatomical features, primarily related to skull and dental structure, as well as locomotion. Feliforms typically have shorter snouts, fewer teeth, and more specialized carnassials (teeth used for shearing meat). They also possess a double-chambered auditory bulla (a bony enclosure around the middle ear). Caniforms, on the other hand, tend to have longer snouts, more teeth (often with less specialized carnassials), and less specialized claws (often non-retractile). They are also more likely to be omnivorous. However in this instance ferrets are obligate carnivores the way cats are.