Meet the carnivore species of Brazil

@Adriano Gambarini

Animals

Taxonomy

Kingdom: ANIMALIA

Phylum: CHORDATA

Class: MAMMALIA

Order: CARNIVORA

Family: CANIDAE, FELIDAE, MUSTELIDAE, MEPHITIDAE, PROCYONIDAE

Total in Brazil: 28 terrestrial species
Mammals of the order Carnivora typically occupy the top of the food chain, and therefore have an important role in maintaining the stability of the ecosystems in which they occur. In Brazil, there are 28 species of terrestrial carnivores, divided into 4 families:

Predators are charismatic animals, and are frequently used as examples of strength and beauty in marketing campaigns. However, their visual beauty has not been sufficient to prevent almost all species of carnivorous mammals facing the risk of extinction. Most cats found in Brazil are on the Official List of Species of Brazilian Fauna Threatened with Extinction.

They have been constant victims of virtually all forms of pressure, including the systematic killing of animals that cause economic loss to farmers, trophy hunting, poaching for the fur trade and the trade in live animals. However, habitat loss remains the greatest threat to neotropical carnivores. Learn a little about the Brazilian species.

Learn more about Brazilian carnivore species

@Adriano Gambarini