Camelidae is the camels, llamas, alpacas, vicugnas and guanacos family of animals of the order Artiodactyla. Camelids are all large, the South American forms ranging in weight from 35 kg to almost 100 kg. Old World camels, however, are much larger, weighing between 450 kg and 650 kg. Camelids vary in body shape from slender to stocky, but all have long, gracile necks; a small head; and long, slender legs. The upper lip is deeply and distinctively cleft. Their toes are splayed, and Camelids are the only plantigrade or fully digitigrade ungulates. The skulls of Camelids have an elongated rostrum, a well developed sagittal crest, and a complete postorbital bar. They lack horns or antlers. The cheek teeth are selenodont. Upper incisors are present; young have three on each side, but adults have only one, which is canine-like. The spatulate lower incisorsproject forward. The canines, which are present in both upper and lower jaws, are medium- sized and hooked. A wide diastema separates incisors and cheek teeth. Research Camelidae
Dasyure or Dasyurus are the brush-tailed opossums, a genus of plantigrade marsupials found in Australia and Tasmania. They are so named in contrast to the opossums of the New World (Didelphys), which have naked tails somewhat like rats. The ursine dasyure (Dasyurus ursinus) of Tasmania is about the size of a badger, but of a sturdier form, of a dull black colour, carnivorous, and of so savage a temper as to have gained for itself the alternative name of Diabolus ursinus, or Tasmanian Devil. Formerly it was most destructive to flocks and poultry-yards, but by the start of the 20th century it was nearly extirpated in inhabited districts. The various species of the genus have much the same nature and habits as the European polecat. Research Dasyure
In zoology, the term plantigrade refers to walking with the entiresole of the foot touching the ground, as for example do man and bears. Research Plantigrade
The raccoon (also spelled racoon) (Procyon) is a genus of American plantigradecarnivorous mammals. The common raccoon (Procyon lotor) has greyish-brown fur with two well-marked black patches on the face. The fur is long, thick and soft, and is used for making hats. Research Raccoon
The Tasmanian devil (Dasyurus ursinus, Diabolus ursinus or Sarcophilus ursinus) is a strongly built nocturnal mammal of the Dasyure (bush-tailed opposums) family, closely related to the thylacine and like it confined to the island of Tasmania. The head is disproportionately large, and the plantigrade feet and general build give the animal a resemblance to a small bear. Carnivorous in habit and very strong, the Tasmanian devil will attack any kind of animal and can easily overpower a sheep. The Tasmanian devil lives in a burrow and is fierce and untameable. Between three and five young are produced at time. The name Tasmanian devil was originally given to the animal by British settlers at Hobart following persistent raids upon their poultry by the animals. Research Tasmanian Devil
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Matt and Leela Probert
Abbreviations
Research Camelidae
