a superorder of mammals comprising five orders: Perissodactyla, Artiodactyla, Proboscidea, Sirenia, and Hyracoi-dea. Most ungulates are characterized by the presence of hoofs. There are one to five toes. In size, ungulates range from the size of small rabbits (Hyracoidea) to very large (elephants). Ungulates are herbivorous, rarely omnivorous. They are distributed on all continents except Antarctica (they have been introduced into New Zealand and Australia); they also inhabit the coastal waters of some seas (Sirenia). Ungulates evolved from the ancient hoofed animals the condylarths. Many are hunted commercially. The superorder includes the most valued domestic animals—horses, cattle, swine, camels, and deer.