Difference between revisions of "Carnivore" - New World Encyclopedia

Latest revision as of 19:00, 25 August 2008

For the mammalian order (cats, dogs, bears, otters, pinnipeds, etc.), see Carnivora

Lions are voracious carnivores; they can require up to seven kilograms (15 lbs) of meat per day. Large mammals, like this African Buffalo, comprise an important part of their diet.

In the common, non-taxonomic sense of the term, carnivore is any animal with a diet consisting wholly or mainly of animal matter, whether it comes from animals living (predation) or dead (scavenging). The term is in contrast to herbivore, which refers to animals with a diet wholly or mainly of plant matter, and omnivore, which refers to animals that consume both animal and plant matter. In a similar sense, plants that capture and digest insects are called carnivorous plants, while fungi that capture microscopic animals are often called carnivorous fungi.

Carnivores also are known as meat eaters, with meat used in its broadest sense as "animal tissues used for food," including invertebrate tissue, fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and so forth. The term carnivore comes from the Latin words carō, meaning "flesh," and vorāre, meaning "to devour," and thus means "to devour flesh."

While the term carnivores often is thought of in terms of vertebrates, in a more general sense any animal, including invertebrates, can loosely be considered carnivores if their feeding behavior consists of preying on other animals rather than grazing on plants. There are many predatory invertebrates, for example arthropods such as spiders or mantises and various species of predatory land snails and sea snails. Squids are a well-known carnivore in marine food chains.

While the term carnivore is popularly and acceptably used to refer to any meat-eating animal, in taxonomy the name specifically refers to any member of the mammalian order Carnivora, including those that are herbivores. In this article, the term carnivore will be used in the non-taxonomic sense of an animal that consumes animal matter.

Carnivores are an essential part of the delicate balance seen in nature. By consuming various animals lower in the food chain, meat-consuming predators, such as wolves and lions, help to maintain acceptable population levels of their prey. Evolutionary biologists consider such predators as key species in the process of natural selection. Meanwhile, meat-consuming scavengers, such as vultures, play an important role in the ecosystem by contributing to the decomposition of dead animal remains.

Characteristics of carnivores

This tiger's sharp teeth and strong jaws are the classical physical traits expected from carnivorous mammalian predators

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 typically have comparatively short digestive systems relative to those of herbivores as they are not required to break down tough cellulose found in plants. Herbivores like horses and rabbits, which depend on microbial fermentation, tend to have a very large and complex large intestine, while carnivores like cats and dogs tend to have a simple and small large intestine (Bowen 2000). Omnivores like pigs and humans tend to have a substantial large intestine, but smaller and less complex than that of herbivores (Bowen 2000). Insectivores lack a large intestine (Palaeos 2003).

In most cases, some plant material is essential for adequate nutrition, particularly with regard to minerals, vitamins, and fiber. Most wild carnivores consume this in the digestive system of their prey. Many carnivores also eat herbivore dung, presumably to obtain essential nutrients that they could not otherwise obtain, since their dentition and digestive system do not permit efficient processing of vegetable matter.

Terminology

In contrast to the tiger, these Emperor penguins show that teeth and claws are not necessary to be a carnivore. They feed on crustaceans, fish, squid, and other small marine life.

As with other dietary categories, carnivore (in the general, non-taxonomic sense) delineates a heterogeneous group of animals from many phyla and classes.

Insectivore (in the general, non-taxonomic sense), is a carnivore that primarily or exclusively eats insects and similar small creatures. Thus, insectivores are specialized carnivores. Although insects belong to one order (order Insecta) of one phylum (phylum Arthropoda) and are individually small, they exist in diverse forms and in enormous numbers and make up a very large part of the animal biomass in almost all non-marine environments. (Taxonomically, however, the term insectivore is specific for members of the mammalian order Insectivora, a biological grouping, now largely abandoned, of small to very small, relatively unspecialized, insectivorous mammals.)

Piscivore is a term for any carnivores that eat fish primarily or exclusively.

Cannibalism refers to a type of carnivory that entails the consumption of members of an organism's own species. Cannibalism includes sexual cannibalism and cannibalistic infanticide.

An obligate carnivore ( or true carnivore) is an animal that must eat meat in order to thrive (Syufy 2008). They may eat other foods, such as fruits, honey, grains, and so forth, but meat must be included in their diet. 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 felids (Pierson 2008).

The designation hypercarnivore is used to describe animals that exclusively feed on animal tissue. Additionally, it is used in paleobiology to describe taxa of animals which have an increased slicing component of their dentition relative to the grinding component (Holliday and Steppan 2004). Hypercarnivores present specialized dentition for a meat-only diet. They may consume other products presented to them, especially animal products like 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.

The Venus flytrap, a well known carnivorous plant

Outside of the animal kingdom, there are several genera containing carnivorous plants and several phyla containing carnivorous fungi. Carnivorous plants are predominantly insectivores, while Carnivorous fungi prey mostly on microscopic invertebrates such as nematodes, amoeba and springtails.

Prehistoric mammals of the crown clade Carnivoramorpha (Carnivora and Miacoidea without Creodonta), along with the early Order Creodonta, and some mammals of the even earlier Order Cimolesta, were true carnivores. The earliest carnivorous mammal is considered to be the Cimolestes that existed during the Late Cretaceous and Tertiary 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 to 60 grams). 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 around 40 grams) and Sarcodon pygmaeus ("pygmy flesh tooth," about 75 grams), 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 dinosaurs such as Tyrannosaurus rex that existed during the late Cretaceous, although not mammals, were "obligate carnivores."

List of carnivores

Great Blue Heron with a snake

Felines, ranging from domestic cats to lions, tigers, cheetahs, and leopards.
Some Canines, such the gray wolf and coyote. Domestic dogs and red foxes 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.
Hyenas
Some mustelids, including ferrets
Polar Bears
Pinnipeds (seals, sea lions, walruses, etc.)
Dolphins
Whales
Microbats
Carnivorous Marsupials, such as the Tasmanian devil
Birds of prey, including hawks, eagles, falcons, and owls
Scavenger birds, for example vultures
Several species of waterfowl including gulls, penguins, pelicans, storks, and herons
Anurans (frogs and toads)
Snakes
Some lizards, such as the gila monster and all monitor lizards.
Crocodilians
the Komodo dragon also known as the Komodo monitor, Komodo Island monitor
Some turtles, including the snapping turtle and most sea turtles
Sharks
Many bony fish, including tuna, marlin, salmon, and bass
Octopuses and squid
Cone shells
Spiders, scorpions, and many other arachnids
Mantises, Giant water bugs, and many other insects
Cnidarians
Sea stars

References
ISBN links support NWE through referral fees

Bowen, R. 2000. Gross and microscopic anatomy of the large intestine. Colorado State. Retrieved July 1, 2007.

Holliday, J. A., and S. J. Steppan. 2004. Evolution of hypercarnivory: The effect of specialization on morphological and taxonomic diversity. Paleobiology Winter 2004. Retrieved May 5, 2008.

Palaeos. 2003. Insectivora. Palaeos. Retrieved July 1, 2007.

Pierson, L. A. 2008. Feeding your cat: Know the basics of feline nutrition. Catinfo.org. Retrieved May 5, 2008.

Syufy, F. 2008. Definition: Obligate carnivore. Cats.about.com. Retrieved May 5, 2008.

Inter-species biological interactions in ecology

Amensalism • Commensalism • Mutualism • Neutralism • Synnecrosis • Predation (Carnivory, Herbivory, Parasitism, Parasitoidism, Cheating) • Symbiosis • Competition

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History of "Carnivore"

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@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
+{{Ebcompleted}}{{Images OK}}{{Approved}}{{Copyedited}}{{2Copyedited}}
 ''For the [[mammal]]ian [[order (biology)|order]] (cats, dogs, bears, otters, pinnipeds, etc.), see [[Carnivora]]''
 [[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.]]
-In the common, non-taxonomic sense of the term, '''carnivore''' is any [[animal]] with a [[diet (nutrition)|diet]] consisting wholly or mainly of animal matter, whether it comes from animals living ([[predation]]) or dead ([[scavenger|scavenging]]). The term is in contrast to [[herbivore]], which refers to animals with a diet wholly or mainly of [[plant]] matter, and [[omnivore]], which refers to animals that consume both animal and plant matter. In a similar sense, plants that capture and digest [[insect]]s are called [[carnivorous plants]], while [[fungi]] that capture microscopic animals are often called [[carnivorous fungi]].
+In the common, non-[[taxon]]omic sense of the term, '''carnivore''' is any [[animal]] with a [[diet (nutrition)|diet]] consisting wholly or mainly of animal matter, whether it comes from animals living ([[predation]]) or dead ([[scavenger|scavenging]]). The term is in contrast to [[herbivore]], which refers to animals with a diet wholly or mainly of [[plant]] matter, and [[omnivore]], which refers to animals that consume both animal and plant matter. In a similar sense, plants that capture and digest [[insect]]s are called [[carnivorous plants]], while [[fungi]] that capture microscopic animals are often called [[carnivorous fungi]].
-Carnivores also are known as '''meat eaters''', with [[meat]] used in its broadest sense as "animal tissues used for food," including [[invertebrate]] tissue, [[fish]], [[amphibian]]s, [[reptile]]s, [[bird]]s, and so forth (as opposed to the more restrictive culinary sense of the flesh of mammalian species). The term carnivore comes from the Latin words ''carō,'' meaning "flesh," and ''vorāre,'' meaning "to devour," and thus means "to devour flesh."
+Carnivores also are known as '''meat eaters''', with [[meat]] used in its broadest sense as "animal tissues used for food," including [[invertebrate]] tissue, [[fish]], [[amphibian]]s, [[reptile]]s, [[bird]]s, and so forth. The term carnivore comes from the Latin words ''carō,'' meaning "flesh," and ''vorāre,'' meaning "to devour," and thus means "to devour flesh."
 While the term carnivores often is thought of in terms of [[vertebrate]]s, in a more general sense any animal, including [[invertebrate]]s, can loosely be considered carnivores if their feeding behavior consists of preying on other animals rather than grazing on plants. There are many [[predatory]] invertebrates, for example [[arthropod]]s such as [[spider]]s or [[mantis]]es and various species of predatory land [[snail]]s and sea snails. [[Squid]]s are a well-known carnivore in marine [[food chain]]s.
-While the term ''carnivore'' is popularly and acceptably used to refer to any meat-eating animal, in [[taxonomy]] the name specifically refers to any member of the [[mammal]]ian [[order (biology)|order]] [[Carnivora]], including those that are herbivores.
+While the term ''carnivore'' is popularly and acceptably used to refer to any meat-eating animal, in [[taxon]]omy the name specifically refers to any member of the [[mammal]]ian [[order (biology)|order]] [[Carnivora]], including those that are herbivores. In this article, the term carnivore will be used in the non-taxonomic sense of an animal that consumes animal matter.
-Members of Carnivora include such members as [[cat]]s, [[hyena]]s, [[mongoose]]s, [[dog]]s, [[wolf|wolves]], [[bear]]s, [[weasel]]s, [[badger]]s, [[otter]]s, [[skunk]]s, and [[pinniped]]s ([[seal]]s, [[sea lion]]s, and [[walrus]]es).  Members of this order in general get most of their food by killing and eating other animals, including other mammals, birds, insects, and fish, but many are omnivores and get a large part of their nutrition from plant foods. The [[giant panda]] (''Ailuropoda melanoleuca'') and a few other members of Carnivora are almost exclusively [[herbivore]]s.
-In this article, the term carnivore will be used in the non-taxonomic sense of an animal that consumes animal matter.
+Carnivores are an essential part of the delicate balance seen in [[nature]]. By consuming various animals lower in the [[food chain]], meat-consuming predators, such as wolves and [[lion]]s, help to maintain acceptable population levels of their prey. Evolutionary biologists consider such predators as key species in the process of natural selection. Meanwhile, meat-consuming scavengers, such as [[vulture]]s, play an important role in the [[ecosystem]] by contributing to the decomposition of dead animal remains.
-==Terminology==
+== Characteristics of 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]]
+Characteristics commonly associated with carnivores include [[organ (anatomy)|organs]] for capturing and disarticulating prey (teeth and claws serve these functions in many [[vertebrate]]s) 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 typically have comparatively short digestive systems relative to those of herbivores as they are not required to break down tough [[cellulose]] found in plants. [[Herbivore]]s like [[horse]]s and [[rabbit]]s, which depend on microbial fermentation, tend to have a very large and complex [[large intestine]], while carnivores like [[cat]]s and [[dog]]s tend to have a simple and small large intestine (Bowen 2000). Omnivores like [[pig]]s and [[human]]s tend to have a substantial large intestine, but smaller and less complex than that of herbivores (Bowen 2000). [[Insectivore]]s lack a large intestine (Palaeos 2003).
+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.
-As with other dietary categories, carnivore (in the general, non-taxonomic sense), delineates a heterogeneous group of animals from many phyla and classes.
+==Terminology==
+[[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 [[crustacean]]s, [[fish]], [[squid]], and other small marine life.]]
+As with other dietary categories, carnivore (in the general, non-taxonomic sense) delineates a heterogeneous group of animals from many phyla and classes.
-'''Insectivore''' (in the general, non-taxonomic sense), is a carnivore that primarily or exclusively eats [[insect]]s and similar small creatures. Thus, [[insectivore]]s are specialized [[carnivore]]s. Although insects belong to one order (order [[Insecta]]) of one phylum (phylum [[Arthropoda]]) and are individually small, they exist in diverse forms and in enormous numbers and make up a very large part of the animal biomass in almost all non-marine environments. ([[Taxonomy|Taxonomically]], however, the term insectivore is specific for members of the [[mammal]]ian order [[Insectivora]], a biological grouping, now largely abandoned, of small to very small, relatively unspecialized, insectivorous mammals.)
+'''Insectivore''' (in the general, non-taxonomic sense), is a carnivore that primarily or exclusively eats [[insect]]s and similar small creatures. Thus, [[insectivore]]s are specialized carnivores. Although insects belong to one order (order [[Insecta]]) of one phylum (phylum [[Arthropoda]]) and are individually small, they exist in diverse forms and in enormous numbers and make up a very large part of the animal biomass in almost all non-marine environments. ([[Taxonomy|Taxonomically]], however, the term insectivore is specific for members of the [[mammal]]ian order [[Insectivora]], a biological grouping, now largely abandoned, of small to very small, relatively unspecialized, insectivorous mammals.)
 '''Piscivore''' is a term for any carnivores that eat [[fish]] primarily or exclusively.
-'''[[cannibalism (zoology)|Cannibalism]]''' refers to a type of carnivory that entails the consumption of members of an organism's own species. This includes [[sexual cannibalism]] and cannibalistic [[infanticide (zoology)|infanticide]].
+'''Cannibalism''' refers to a type of carnivory that entails the consumption of members of an organism's own species. [[cannibalism (zoology)|Cannibalism]] includes [[sexual cannibalism]] and cannibalistic [[infanticide (zoology)|infanticide]].
 An '''obligate carnivore''' ( or ''true carnivore'') is an animal that ''must'' eat [[meat]] in order to thrive (Syufy 2008). They may eat other foods, such as [[fruit]]s, [[honey]], grains, and so forth, but meat must be included in their diet. 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]] (Pierson 2008).
-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 (Holliday and Steppan 2004). [[Hypercarnivore]]s present specialized dentition for a meat-only diet. They may consume other products presented to them, especially [[animal product]]s like [[egg]]s 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.
+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 (Holliday and Steppan 2004). [[Hypercarnivore]]s present specialized dentition for a meat-only diet. They may consume other products presented to them, especially [[animal product]]s like [[egg]]s and [[bone marrow]] or sweet [[sugar]]y substances like honey and [[syrup]], but, as these items are not essential, they do not consume these on a regular basis.
 [[Image:VFT ne1.JPG|thumb|right|The [[Venus flytrap]], a well known [[carnivorous plant]]]]
-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.
+Outside of the animal kingdom, there are several genera containing '''carnivorous plants''' and several phyla containing '''carnivorous fungi'''. [[Carnivorous plant]]s are predominantly insectivores, while [[carnivorous fungus|Carnivorous fungi]] 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]] 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 to 60 grams). 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]] around 40 grams) and ''Sarcodon pygmaeus'' ("pygmy flesh tooth," about 75 grams), 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 rex]]'' that existed during the late [[Cretaceous]], although not mammals, were "obligate carnivores."
-== 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==
+Prehistoric mammals of the [[cladistics|crown clade]] [[Carnivoramorpha]] (Carnivora and [[Miacoidea]] without [[Creodonta]]), along with the early Order Creodonta, and some mammals of the even earlier Order [[Cimolesta]], were true carnivores. The earliest carnivorous mammal is considered to be the ''[[Cimolestes]]'' that existed during the Late Cretaceous and [[Tertiary]] 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 to 60 grams). 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]] around 40 grams) and ''Sarcodon pygmaeus'' ("pygmy flesh tooth," about 75 grams), 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 rex]]'' that existed during the late Cretaceous, although not mammals, were "obligate carnivores."
-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.
+*[[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}}.
+* 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.
 *[[Hyena]]s
 *Some [[mustelid]]s, including [[ferret]]s
@@ Line 52: / Line 52: @@
 *[[Whale]]s
 *[[Microbat]]s
-*[[Dasyuromorphia|Carnivorous Marsupials]], such as the [[Tasmanian Devil]]
+*[[Dasyuromorphia|Carnivorous Marsupials]], such as the [[Tasmanian devil]]
-*[[Bird of prey|Birds of prey]], including [[hawk]]s, [[eagle]]s, [[falcon]]s and [[owl]]s
+*[[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.
+*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
+*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]]
+*[[Octopus]]es and [[squid]]
 *[[Cone shell]]s
 *[[Spider]]s, [[scorpion]]s, and many other [[arachnid]]s
@@ Line 71: / Line 71: @@
 *[[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==
- <ref>{{cite journal|quotes=no|author=Holliday, Jill A|coauthors=Steppan, Scott J
+* Bowen, R. 2000. [http://www.vivo.colostate.edu/hbooks/pathphys/digestion/largegut/anatomy.html Gross and microscopic anatomy of the large intestine]. ''Colorado State''. Retrieved July 1, 2007.
-|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%3C0108:EOHTEO%3E2.0.CO;2
- | doilabel = 10.1666/0094-8373(2004)030<0108:EOHTEO>2.0.CO;2 <!--Retrieved from Yahoo! by DOI bot—>|accessdate=July 24|accessyear=2007}}</ref>
-<ref>[http://www.catinfo.org/ Feeding Your Cat: Know the Basics of Feline Nutrition], Lisa A. Pierson, DVM at catinfo.org]</ref>  2008
+* Holliday, J. A., and S. J. Steppan. 2004. [http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa4067/is_200401/ai_n9407777/pg_1 Evolution of hypercarnivory: The effect of specialization on morphological and taxonomic diversity]. ''Paleobiology'' Winter 2004. Retrieved May 5, 2008.
+* Palaeos. 2003. [http://www.palaeos.com/Vertebrates/Units/460Insectivora/460.100.html Insectivora]. ''Palaeos''. Retrieved July 1, 2007.
-"Definition: Obligate Carnivore"
+* Pierson, L. A. 2008. [http://www.catinfo.org/ Feeding your cat: Know the basics of feline nutrition]. ''Catinfo.org''. Retrieved May 5, 2008.
-From Franny Syufy,
-[http://cats.about.com/od/catfoodglossary/g/obligcarnivore.htm "Definition: Obligate Carnivore"] Cats.About.com</ref>
+* Syufy, F. 2008. [http://cats.about.com/od/catfoodglossary/g/obligcarnivore.htm Definition: Obligate carnivore]. ''Cats.about.com''. Retrieved May 5, 2008.