The carnivorous animals They are those that eat the meat of other animals. For instance: the perriver, lion, serpent. They get the nutrients from a diet that can be based totally or partially on the consumption of meat.
Carnivorous animals are present throughout the animal kingdom. There are birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, fish and carnivorous insects.
Characteristics of carnivorous animals
- They are usually found at the top of the food chain.
- They have a digestive system suitable for assimilating meat, shorter than that of herbivores since it does not have to destroy the cellulose present in vegetables.
- Depending on the species, they have physical characteristics that allow them to capture and devour other animals: claws, heightened senses, night vision, developed teeth.
- They are important for the balance of the ecosystem, since they avoid the overpopulation of certain species.
Classification of carnivorous animals
Carnivorous animals can be classified according to the way in which they obtain food and according to the percentage of meat that they include in their diet.
According to the method used to obtain food:
- Hunter carnivores (or predators). They are animals that track their prey and hunt it on their own (alone or in a group). For instance: the crocodile.
- Scavenger carnivores (or raptors). They are animals that feed on naturally dead prey or victims of a predator. For instance: The Raven.
According to the level of meat consumption in your diet:
- Strict carnivores. They are animals that feed exclusively on meat, since they do not have a digestive system suitable for the consumption of vegetables. For instance: Tiger.
- Flexible carnivores. They are animals that eat mostly meat but can occasionally ingest vegetable matter in small amounts. For instance: hyena.
- Occasional carnivores. They are primarily omnivorous animals that can consume meat during a period of vegetable shortage. For instance: the raccoon.
Examples of carnivorous animals
Examples of carnivorous mammals
| Seal | Hyena | Lynx |
| Cat | Jaguar | Wolf |
| Wildcat | Lion | grey Wolf |
| Weasel | Sea lion | Civet |
| Coyote | Leopard | Mongoose |
| Martha | Sperm whale | Siberian Tiger |
| Blue whale | Dolphin | Bengal tiger |
| Humpback Whale | Grizzly | Killer whale |
| Beluga | Polar Bear | Otter |
| Narwhal | Cheetah | Spotted gynet |
| Dog | Cougar | Red panda |
| Black Panther | Common gynet | Linsangs |
| Pit | Spectral bat | Raccoon |
| European mink | Fishing bat | Tasmanian devil |
| Serval | Walrus | Jackal |
| Pangolin | Ferret | Glutton |
| Badger | Marten | Kinkajú |
Examples of carnivorous reptiles
| Anaconda | Cobra | Sea turtle |
| Boa | Piton | Desert monitor |
| Crocodile | Lizard turtle | Alligator |
| Komodo dragon | Leopard gecko | Coral snake |
Examples of carnivorous birds
| Harpy eagle | Albatross | Griffon vulture |
| Fishing eagle | Seagull | Vulture vulture |
| Secretary | Hawk | Common vulture |
| Penguin | Crow | Black vulture |
| Pelican | California condor | Marabou |
| Milan | Andean condor | Owl |
| Egyptian vulture | Owl | Gavilan smuggler |
Examples of carnivorous fish
| Tuna | Swordfish | American Muskallonga |
| White shark | Perch | Marlin |
| Hammerhead shark | Salmon | Catfish |
| Tiger shark | Tollo cigar | Piranha |
| Basking shark | Bull shark | Barracuda |