Definition

A type of hoofed mammal that belongs to the order Artiodactyla, which includes animals like cows, deer, and camels, characterized by having an even number of toes on each foot.

Example

The museum has a fascinating exhibit on artiodactyls, showcasing the diversity of these hoofed mammals.

Conversation

Did you know that a giraffe is an artiodactyl?

Really? I always thought it was just a big animal with long legs.

Yeah, it's interesting how many different types of artiodactyls there are, like cows and deer.

Totally! It's amazing to think about how they all have similar foot structures.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Artiodactyl is formed from "artio-" (from Greek "artios", meaning even or even-numbered) and "dactylus" (from Greek "daktulos", meaning finger or toe). The term refers to mammals that have an even number of toes, typically two or four, on each foot.

Memory Tip

Think of 'even' ('artio-') and 'toes' ('dactylus') to remember that an artiodactyl is an animal with an even number of toes.

Visually Confused Words