Hooved Mammals

Information about Ungulates:

Ungulates – which means “being hoofed” or “hoofed animal” include several groups of mammals, most of which have toes that tapir to rigid hooves that the animal puts all or most of it’s weight on. Ungulates may be either odd-toed or even-toed. Native ungulates are found on all continents except Antarctica and Australia (except where they have been introduced by humans as in the case of goats, sheep, llama and other domesticated animals) and in virtually all terrestrial environments from dense tropical forests, to savanna grasslands, arid deserts to rugged mountains to the tundra.

There some disagreement on what exactly an ungulate is in regards to either being a cladistic or evolution based group or a “folk taxon” which means the animals are similar but not necessarily related. Ungulates also have reduced canine teeth, molars with low and rounded cusps, ankle bones at the end of the leg and a short, stocky head. They are a very ancient group of animals, dating back as far as the late Cretaceous. Nearly all ungulates are herbivores, but there are some omnivores and even a few carnivores as in the case of some of the whales – although some do not consider whales as part of the group – only land mammals with hooves.