Artiodactyla is an order which consists primarily of hoofed mammals which includes antelope, cattle, deer, giraffes, goats, hippopotamuses, and sheep. Biologists now classify the mammal group Cetacea(which includes whales, dolphins and porpoises) as an infraorder under Artiodactyla because of physical and genetic similarities.
Physical Characteristics
The hoofed Artiodactyls bear weight equally on two of their five toes; the third and fourth. While the majority of mammals classified in the Artiodactyla order have hooves, the Hippopotamus is an exception, instead of hooves, there is a pad of connective tissue on each foot.
Many Artiodactyls have cranial appendages; deer have extensions of … Continue