The artiodactyls include animals such as cattle, goats, deer,
sheep, antelope, camels, llama, pigs, hoppopatmuses as well as
numerous other groups. Artiodactyls range in size from the mouse
deer (or 'chevrotains') of Southeast Asia that are barely bigger
than a rabbit, to the giant hippopotamus, which weighs some
three tons. Giraffes, which are not so heavy as the giant
hippopotamus, are indeed large in another way—what they lack in
bulk they make up for in height, with some species reaching as
much as 18 feet tall. Social structure varies among
artiodactyls. Some species, such as water deer of Southeast
Asia, lead relatively solitary lives and only seek company
during mating season. Other species, such as wildebeast, cape
buffalo and American bison, form large heards. Artiodactyls are
a widespread group of mammals. They have colonized every
contient except Antartica (although it should be noted humans
introduced artiodactyls to Australia and New Zealand).
Artiodactyls live in a variety of habitats including