Artiodactyls: A Diverse Group of Mammals with Even-Toed Hooves

Artiodactyl (subclass Artiodactyla) is a group of mammals that includes pigs, peccaries, hippopotamuses, camels, deer, and many other species. These animals are characterized by their even-toed hooves (i.e., two toes on each foot), which are typically split into two or three digits.

The name "artiodactyl" comes from the Greek words "arthro," meaning "joint," and "dactyl," meaning "finger." This refers to the fact that the bones of the feet of artiodactyls are joined by flexible joints, allowing them to move their toes with great flexibility.

Artiodactyls are found in a wide range of habitats all over the world, including forests, grasslands, deserts, and wetlands. They are herbivores (plant-eaters) and omnivores (meat-eaters), and they play important roles in their ecosystems as seed dispersers, pollinators, and prey species.

Some examples of artiodactyls include:

* Pigs (Suidae)
* Peccaries (Tayassuidae)
* Hippopotamuses (Hippopotamidae)
* Camels (Camelidae)
* Deer (Cervidae)
* Goats (Capridae)
* Sheep (Ovis)
* Bison (Bovidae)

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