What Are Carnivores?

A carnivore is an animal feeds strictly on meat either by killing or scavenging other animals. It will make a feast of herbivores (plant eating animals), omnivores (plant and meat eating animals) or even other smaller carnivores. Carnivores help keep other species' population in control. The bigger the carnivore the more it needs to eat to survive. Herbivores have big molars that help them grind up leaves, seeds and twigs but Carnivorous mammals have teeth that are made for grasping and tearing. They are very fast and flexible (like the cheetah) and often have large powerful jaws and sharp claws. Their digestive systems are very simple because it is easier to digest meat than vegetable matter.

Carnivorous birds like the owl have very keen eyesight that helps them spot prey. They also have sharp talons to catch their prey and curved beaks with which they tear up the meat. There are also carnivores that hunt in the water like the walrus, the sea lion and the seal. Their bodies are shaped like torpedoes which help them maneuver through the water at top speed. There are also carnivorous plants like the Venus fly trap that can ensnare and digest small insects.

It is the classification used to describe animals that eat meat.

Carnivores are meat eaters that usually eat Herbivores and omnivores only.