noun
- Carnivorous mammals with separate toes, including dogs, cats, bears, and seals; members of the order Carnivora.
Usage: plural of fissiped; zoological term; contrasts with pinnipeds (marine mammals with flippers)
Examples
- Fissipeds are distinguished from pinnipeds by their separate digits rather than flippers.
- Dogs, cats, and bears are all examples of fissipeds.
- The fossil record shows that fissipeds evolved from early carnivorous mammals.
- Fissipeds use their clawed feet for hunting and climbing.
- Unlike pinnipeds, fissipeds are primarily terrestrial or semi-aquatic animals.