Difference between revisions of "Carnivorous"
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*Etymology: [[ultimate]]ly from [[Latin]] carnivorus | *Etymology: [[ultimate]]ly from [[Latin]] carnivorus | ||
| − | *Date: [ | + | *Date: [https://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/19th_Century 1840] |
==Definitions== | ==Definitions== | ||
*1 : any of an order (Carnivora) of typically [[flesh]]-eating mammals that includes dogs, foxes, bears, raccoons, and cats; broadly : a carnivorous animal | *1 : any of an order (Carnivora) of typically [[flesh]]-eating mammals that includes dogs, foxes, bears, raccoons, and cats; broadly : a carnivorous animal | ||
| − | *2 : a [ | + | *2 : a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carnivorous_plants carnivorous plant] |
==Description== | ==Description== | ||
| − | A '''carnivore''' (pronounced /ˈkɑrnɪvɔər/), [[meaning]] 'meat eater' (Latin carne meaning 'flesh' and vorare meaning 'to devour'), is an [[organism]] that derives its [[energy]] and [[nutrient]] requirements from a diet consisting mainly or exclusively of [[animal]] tissue, whether through predation or scavenging. [[Animals]] that depend solely on animal flesh for their nutrient requirements are considered [ | + | A '''carnivore''' (pronounced /ˈkɑrnɪvɔər/), [[meaning]] 'meat eater' (Latin carne meaning 'flesh' and vorare meaning 'to devour'), is an [[organism]] that derives its [[energy]] and [[nutrient]] requirements from a diet consisting mainly or exclusively of [[animal]] tissue, whether through predation or scavenging. [[Animals]] that depend solely on animal flesh for their nutrient requirements are considered [https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/obligate obligate carnivores] while those that also consume non-animal food are considered [https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/facultative facultative carnivores]. [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Omnivore Omnivores] also consume both [[animal]] and non-animal [[food]], and apart from the more general definition, there is no clearly defined [[ratio]] of plant to animal [[material]] that would distinguish a facultative carnivore from an omnivore, or an omnivore from a facultative herbivore, for that matter. A carnivore that sits at the top of the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foodchain foodchain] is an [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apex_predator apex predator]. |
| − | Plants that capture and digest insects are called [ | + | Plants that capture and digest insects are called [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carnivorous_plants carnivorous plants]. Similarly [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fungi fungi] that capture microscopic animals are often called [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carnivorous_fungi carnivorous fungi]. |
==See also== | ==See also== | ||
*'''''[[Predator]]''''' | *'''''[[Predator]]''''' | ||
[[Category: Biology]] | [[Category: Biology]] | ||
Latest revision as of 23:45, 12 December 2020
- Etymology: ultimately from Latin carnivorus
- Date: 1840
Definitions
- 1 : any of an order (Carnivora) of typically flesh-eating mammals that includes dogs, foxes, bears, raccoons, and cats; broadly : a carnivorous animal
- 2 : a carnivorous plant
Description
A carnivore (pronounced /ˈkɑrnɪvɔər/), meaning 'meat eater' (Latin carne meaning 'flesh' and vorare meaning 'to devour'), is an organism that derives its energy and nutrient requirements from a diet consisting mainly or exclusively of animal tissue, whether through predation or scavenging. Animals that depend solely on animal flesh for their nutrient requirements are considered obligate carnivores while those that also consume non-animal food are considered facultative carnivores. Omnivores also consume both animal and non-animal food, and apart from the more general definition, there is no clearly defined ratio of plant to animal material that would distinguish a facultative carnivore from an omnivore, or an omnivore from a facultative herbivore, for that matter. A carnivore that sits at the top of the foodchain is an apex predator.
Plants that capture and digest insects are called carnivorous plants. Similarly fungi that capture microscopic animals are often called carnivorous fungi.
