Difference between revisions of "Carnivore"

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-'''Carnivore''' has two different meanings. In ordinary language, it means an [[animal]] that only eats other animals<ref>Wile, Dr. Jay L. ''Exploring Creation Through General Science''. Anderson: Apologia Educational Ministries, Inc. 2000</ref>, as contrasted with an ''[[herbivore]]'' ([[plant]]-eater) or ''[[omnivore]]'' (animal for whom both plants and animals are regular and important parts of the diet).
-To a zoologist, ''carnivore'' usually means "a [[mammal]] belonging to the order ''carnivora.''" This includes [[cat]]s and "cat-like" families such as [[mongoose]]s and [[hyena]]s, and [[dog]]s and "dog-like" families such as [[bear]]s, [[skunk]]s, [[weasel]]s, [[raccoon]]s, and [[seal]]s. Most members of the order ''carnivora'' actually are carnivores in the sense of being [[meat]]-eaters, but there are many carnivorous animals that do ''not'' belong to the order "carnivora."
-There have been many studies to show that most carnivorous animals still possess digestive systems to eat a plant-only diet. This is considered by [[creationism|creationists]] to be strong evidence of life in the [[Garden of Eden]] before the [[Fall of Man]]. Many zoos to this day feed their [[lion]]s and [[tiger]]s leafy greens due to environmentalists and to protect them against chemicals that are added in meat produce to help preserve them. In the same way carnivorous pets such as cats, dogs, or even snakes can survive on a meat-free diet. In all these cases, nutritional suppliments are required to supply traces of the few chemicals they cannot absorb from post-fall plants - setting a meat-free diet for a carnivorous animal should be done only with professional consultation.
-A trick question for someone who knows [[biology]] is: "If a [[panda]] is a carnivore, then what is a [[koala]]?" Because a koala eats [[eucalyptus]] leaves, many people will fall into the trap and answer "[[herbivore]]", which is the wrong answer. The trick is that a panda does ''not'' eat meat. So, for a panda to be "a carnivore," the word must be being used in the sense of "order carnivora," and the right answer is "[[marsupial]]."
-==See also==
-*[[Herbivore]]
-*[[Omnivores]]
-==References==
-<references/>
-[[Category:Biology]]
-[[Category:Food and Drink]]

Difference between revisions of "Carnivore"

Revision as of 22:03, April 1, 2009

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