Carnivore 6543 225990268 2008-07-16T10:17:36Z Phenylalanine 5382478 fixed wikilink {{Refimprove|date=November 2007}} {{redirect|Carnivorism|the diet|No-carbohydrate diet}} {{otheruses}} [[Image:Male Lion and Cub Chitwa South Africa Luca Galuzzi 2004.JPG|thumb|300px|right|[[Lion]]s are voracious carnivores; they can require up to seven kilograms (15 lbs) of [[meat]] per day. Large [[mammal]]s, like this [[African Buffalo]], comprise an important part of their diet.]] A '''carnivore''' ({{IPAEng|ˈkɑrnɪvɔər}}), meaning 'meat eater' ([[Latin]] ''carne'' meaning 'flesh' and ''vorare'' meaning 'to devour'), is an [[animal]] with a [[diet (nutrition)|diet]] consisting mainly of [[meat]], whether it comes from animals living ([[predation]]) or dead ([[scavenger|scavenging]]). In a more general sense, animals are loosely considered carnivores if their feeding behaviour consists of preying on other animals rather than grazing on plants. There are many [[predatory]] [[invertebrates]], for example [[arthropods]] such as [[spider]]s or [[mantis]]es and various species of [[predatory]] land [[snail]]s and sea snails. Animals that subsist on a diet consisting only of meat are referred to as [[#Obligate carnivores|obligate carnivore]]s. Plants that capture and digest insects are called [[carnivorous plants]]. Similarly fungi that capture microscopic animals are often called [[carnivorous fungi]]. The designation "[[hypercarnivore]]" is used to describe animals that exclusively feed on animal tissue. Additionally, it is used in [[paleobiology]] to describe [[Taxon|taxa]] of animals which have an increased slicing component of their [[dentition]] relative to the grinding component.<ref>{{cite journal|quotes=no|author=Holliday, Jill A|coauthors=Steppan, Scott J |url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa4067/is_200401/ai_n9407777/pg_1 |journal=Paleobiology, Winter 2004 |title=Evolution of hypercarnivory: the effect of specialization on morphological and taxonomic diversity | doi = 10.1666/0094-8373(2004)030<0108:EOHTEO>2.0.CO;2|accessdate=July 24|accessyear=2007 |year=2004 |volume=30 |pages=108}}</ref> ==Classification== [[Image:VFT ne1.JPG|thumb|right|The [[Venus flytrap]], a well known [[carnivorous plant]]]] Carnivores that eat [[insect]]s and similar invertebrates primarily or exclusively are called [[insectivore]]s, while those that eat [[fish]] primarily or exclusively are called [[piscivore]]s. Carnivory that entails the consumption of members of an organism's own species is referred to as [[cannibalism (zoology)|cannibalism]]. This includes [[sexual cannibalism]] and cannibalistic [[infanticide (zoology)|infanticide]]. The word "carnivore" sometimes refers to the [[mammal]]ian Order [[Carnivora]], but this is misleading. Although many Carnivora fit the first definition of being exclusively meat eaters, not all do. For example, [[bear]]s are members of Carnivora that are not carnivores in the dietary sense, and [[panda]]s are almost exclusively herbivorous. Likewise, some full-time ([[dolphin]]s, [[shrew]]s) and part-time ([[human]]s, [[pig]]s) predatory species among mammals, let alone all carnivorous non-mammals, are not members of Carnivora. Outside of the animal kingdom, there are several genera containing [[carnivorous plant]]s and several phyla containing [[carnivorous fungus|carnivorous fungi]]. The former are predominantly insectivores, while the latter prey mostly on microscopic [[invertebrate]]s such as [[nematode]]s, [[amoeba]] and [[springtail]]s. Prehistoric mammals of the crown-clade [[Carnivoramorpha]] (Carnivora and [[Miacoidea]] without [[Creodonta]]), along with the early Order Creodonta, and some mammals of the even early Order [[Cimolesta]], were true carnivores. The earliest carnivorous mammal is considered to be the ''[[Cimolestes]]'' that existed during the Late Cretaceous and [[Tertiary]] [[Period (geology)|Period]]s in North America about 65 million years ago. Most species of Cimolestes were mouse to rat-sized, but the Late [[Cretaceous]] [[Cimolestes magnus]] reached the size of a [[marmot]], making it one of the largest [[Mesozoic]] mammals known (20-60g). The cheek teeth combined the functions of piercing, shearing and grinding, and the molars of [[Palaeoryctes]] had extremely high and acute [[cusps]] that had little function other than piercing. The [[dentition]] of Cimolestes foreshadows the same cutting structures seen in all later carnivores. While the earlier smaller species were [[insectivores]], the later marmot-sized [[Cimolestes magnus]] probably took larger prey and were definitely a carnivore to some degree. The cheek teeth of [[Hyracolestes ermineus]] (an [[ermine]]-like [[shrew]] - 40g) and [[Sarcodon pygmaeus]] ("pygmy flesh tooth" - 75g), were common in the Latest [[Paleocene]] of Mongolia and China and occupied the small predator niche. The cheek teeth show the same characteristic notches that serve in today's carnivores to hold flesh in place to shear apart with cutting ridges. The [[theropod]] [[dinosaur]]s such as ''[[Tyrannosaurus|Tyrannosaurus rex]]'' that existed during the late [[Cretaceous]], although not mammals, were "obligate carnivores". ===Obligate carnivores=== [[Image:Tigergebiss.jpg|thumb|right|This [[tiger]]'s sharp [[teeth]] and strong jaws are the classical physical traits expected from carnivorous mammalian [[predator]]s]] An ''obligate'' or ''true carnivore'' is an animal that ''must'' eat meat in order to thrive.<ref>[http://cats.about.com/od/catfoodglossary/g/obligcarnivore.htm "Definition: Obligate Carnivore"] Cats.About.com</ref> [[Hypercarnivore]]s present specialized dentition for a meat-only diet. They may consume other products presented to them, especially [[animal product]]s like [[Egg (food)|eggs]] and [[bone marrow]] or sweet sugary substances like [[honey]] and [[syrup]], but, as these items are not essential, they do not 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]]. The domestic [[cat]] is a prime example of an obligate carnivore, as are all of the other [[Felidae|felids]].<ref>[http://www.catinfo.org/ Feeding Your Cat: Know the Basics of Feline Nutrition], Lisa A. Pierson, DVM at catinfo.org]</ref> == Characteristics of carnivores == Characteristics commonly 'associated' with carnivores include organs for capturing and disarticulating prey (teeth and claws serve these functions in many vertebrates) and status as a [[predator]]. In truth, these assumptions may be misleading, as some carnivores do not hunt and are [[scavengers]] (though most hunting carnivores will scavenge when the opportunity exists). Thus they do not have the characteristics associated with hunting carnivores. Carnivores have comparatively short digestive systems as they are not required to break down tough cellulose found in plants. ==Plant material== In most cases, some plant material is essential for adequate nutrition, particularly with regard to [[mineral]]s, [[vitamin]]s and [[dietary fiber|fiber]]. Most wild carnivores consume this in the [[digestive system]] of their prey. Many carnivores also eat herbivore [[dung]], presumably to obtain essential [[nutrient]]s that they could not otherwise obtain, since their dentition and digestive system do not permit efficient processing of vegetable matter. == List of carnivores == [[Image:Emperor penguins.jpg|thumb|right|In contrast to the tiger, these [[Emperor penguin]]s show that teeth and claws are not necessary to be a carnivore. They feed on crustaceans, fish, squid, and other small marine life.]] [[Image:Heron with snake.JPG|thumb|[[Great Blue Heron]] with a [[snake]]]] *[[Felidae|Feline]]s, ranging from [[domestic cat]]s to [[lion]]s, [[tiger]]s, [[cheetah]]s and [[leopard]]s. * Some [[Canidae|Canine]]s, such the [[Gray Wolf]] and [[coyote]]. [[Domestic dog]]s and [[red fox]]es are broadly considered carnivorous but are able to digest some vegetable matter making them somewhat omnivorous. The [[Smithsonian Institution]] has listed them as carnivores, because of their dental makeup and digestive tract.{{Fact|date=March 2007}}. *[[Hyena]]s *Some [[mustelid]]s, including [[ferret]]s *[[Polar Bear]]s *[[Pinniped]]s ([[Earless seal|seals]], [[sea lion]]s, [[walrus]]es, etc.) *[[Dolphin]]s *[[Whale]]s *[[Microbat]]s *[[Dasyuromorphia|Carnivorous Marsupials]], such as the [[Tasmanian Devil]] *[[Bird of prey|Birds of prey]], including [[hawk]]s, [[eagle]]s, [[falcon]]s and [[owl]]s *Scavenger birds, for example [[vulture]]s *Several species of [[Anatidae|waterfowl]] including [[gull]]s, [[penguin]]s, [[pelican]]s, [[stork]]s, and [[heron]]s *[[Anuran]]s ([[frog]]s and [[toad]]s) *[[Snake]]s *Some [[lizard]]s, such as the [[Gila Monster]] and all [[monitor lizard]]s. *[[Crocodilian]]s *the [[Komodo dragon]] also known as the Komodo Monitor, Komodo Island Monitor *Some [[turtle]]s, including the [[Chelydridae|snapping turtle]] and most [[sea turtle]]s *[[Shark]]s *Many bony fish, including [[tuna]], [[marlin]], [[salmon]], and [[bass (fish)|bass]] *[[Octopus]]es<!--this is the correct plural!!--> and [[squid]] *[[Cone shell]]s *[[Spider]]s, [[scorpion]]s, and many other [[arachnid]]s *[[Mantis]]es, [[Giant water bug]]s, and many other insects *[[Cnidarian]]s *[[Sea star]]s ==See also== *[[Carnivorous plant]] *[[Carnivorous fungus]] *[[Insectivore]] *[[Piscivore]] *[[Cannibalism (zoology)]] ===Compare and contrast=== *[[Man-eater]] *[[Herbivore]] *[[Omnivore]] *[[List of vores]] *[[Vegetarianism]] ==References== <references/> {{Biological interaction-footer}} {{feeding}} [[Category:Eating behaviors]] [[Category:Biological interactions]] [[Category:Carnivory| ]] [[bn:মাংসাশী]] [[zh-min-nan:Chia̍h-bah tōng-bu̍t]] [[ca:Dieta carnívora]] [[cs:Masožravci]] [[cy:Cigysydd]] [[da:Zoofag]] [[de:Fleischfresser]] [[et:Karnivoor]] [[el:Σαρκοφάγα]] [[es:Carnívoro]] [[eu:Haragijale]] [[fr:Carnivore (régime alimentaire)]] [[ko:육식성]] [[hr:Mesožderi]] [[io:Karnivoro]] [[id:Karnivora]] [[is:Kjötæta]] [[it:Carnivoro]] [[he:טורפים (ביולוגיה)]] [[jv:Karnivora]] [[ms:Maging]] [[nl:Carnivoor]] [[ja:肉食動物]] [[nrm:Mangeux d'viande]] [[pl:Zoofag]] [[ru:Плотоядные]] [[simple:Carnivore]] [[sr:Месождери]] [[fi:Lihansyöjä]] [[sv:Köttätare]] [[ta:ஊனுண்ணி]] [[th:สัตว์กินเนื้อ]] [[tr:Etçil]] [[wa:Magneu d' tchå]] [[zh:肉食性]]