This template's initial visibility currently defaults to autocollapse, meaning that if there is another collapsible item on the page (a navbox, sidebar, or table with the collapsible attribute), it is hidden apart from its title bar; if not, it is fully visible.

To change this template's initial visibility, the |state= parameter may be used:

• {{Proboscidea|state=collapsed}} will show the template collapsed, i.e. hidden apart from its title bar.
• {{Proboscidea|state=expanded}} will show the template expanded, i.e. fully visible.

The visible name (name appearing after the pipe) should be the same as the exact title of the article (name appearing before the pipe) followed by the scientific name:
[[Groundhog|Groundhog (''M. monax'')]]
     not
[[Groundhog|Woodchuck (''M. monax'')]]

[[Eastern gray squirrel|Eastern gray squirrel (''S. carolinensis'')]]
     not
[[Eastern gray squirrel|Eastern grey squirrel (''S. carolinensis'')]]

• Lower case common names: Per the Wikipedia Manual of Style, do not capitalize the common names of animal species (other than capitalizing the first letter of the entry, because it begins a list item).

Most templates utilize {{Navbox with collapsible groups}} while some of the smaller Orders utilize {{Navbox}}. Many incorporate {{Navbox|subgroup}} into the template.

• Taxonomic rank:
  • The main title bar represents the name of the order.
  • The secondary title bar (on most templates) usually represents a suborder or family, and is labeled as such.
  • The vertical groupings are usually a family or subfamily, but are not labeled.
  • The genus is easily recognized as it is always in italics.
  • Tribes are generally not included in the template due to space constraints, unless it is significant to the classification.
  • The subgenus or subgroup is included in the list of species (not in its own group parameter) underlined and with the name part italicized, ex.: Subgenus Dolichohippus: (<u>Subgenus ''Dolichohippus''</u>:).

Each template attempts to represent all known extant species in that particular Order (per MSW3), as grouped below by infraclass.