Carnivore
From Free net encyclopedia
- For other uses, see Carnivore (disambiguation).
Image:Lion snarling.jpg A carnivore (KAR-nih-vohr) meaning "meat eater" (Latin carn = flesh + vorare = to devour) is an animal that eats a diet consisting solely of meat, whether it comes from live animals or dead (scavenging). Some animals are considered carnivores even if their diets contain a very small amount of meat. Those animals that subsist on a diet consisting only of meat are referred to as obligate carnivores.
The word also refers to the mammals of the Order Carnivora, many (but not all) of which fit the first definition. Bears are an example of members of Carnivora that are not true carnivores. Carnivores that eat primarily (or only) insects are called insectivores.
There are also several species of carnivorous plants. Though most are primarily insectivorous, some digest nematodes and other small invertebrates.
Many dinosaurs were obligate carnivores, namely most, if not all, theropods, such as Tyrannosaurus rex. Sauropods and ornithischians were herbivorous.
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Characteristics of Carnivores
Image:Emperor penguins.jpg Many characteristics associated with carnivores include teeth, claws, and status as a hunter. In truth, these assumptions are misleading as many carnivores do not hunt and are scavengers. Thus they do not have the characteristics associated with carnivores and hunters.
Obligate carnivores
An obligate or true carnivore is an animal that subsists on a diet consisting only of meat. They may consume other products presented to them, especially animal products like cheese and bone marrow, or sweet sugary substances like honey and syrup, but, as these products are not essential, they do not need to consume these on a regular basis. True carnivores lack the physiology required for the efficient digestion of vegetable matter, and in fact some carnivorous mammals eat vegetation specifically as an emetic.
List of Carnivores
- Felines, ranging from domestic cats to lions, tigers, and other large predators.
- Some canines, such the Grey wolf but not the Red wolf or coyote. Domestic dogs are broadly considered carnivorous but the classification is often debated.
- Hyenas
- Some mustelids, including ferrets
- Polar Bears
- Pinnipeds (seals, sea lions, walruses, etc.)
- Birds of prey, including hawks, eagles, falcons and owls
- Scavenger birds, like vultures
- Several species of waterfowl including gulls, penguins, pelicans, storks, and herons
- Anurans (frogs and toads)
- Snakes
- Some lizards
- Crocodilians
- Sharks and many other species of fish
- Toothed whales
- Octopuses and squid
- Spiders and scorpions
- Mantophasmatodea, Reduviidae and other insects
- Cnidarians
See also
Compare and contrast
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