Carnivora (; from Latin caro (stem carn-) "flesh", + vorare "to devour") is a diverse order that includes over 280 species of placental mammals. Its members are formally referred to as carnivorans, whereas the word "carnivore" (often popularly applied to members of this group) can refer to any meat-eating organism. Carnivorans are the most diverse in size of any mammalian order, ranging from the least weasel (Mustela nivalis), at as little as and , to the polar bear (Ursus maritimus), which can weigh up to , to the southern elephant seal (Mirounga leonina), whose adult males weigh up to and measure up to in length.