carnivore
Meaning: An animal that feeds exclusively or primarily on the flesh of other animals.
Carnivores are predators that occupy higher trophic levels in food chains. They include obligate carnivores (cats, which must eat meat) and facultative carnivores (dogs, which can also digest plant matter). Carnivorous plants like the Venus flytrap extend the concept to the plant kingdom. In popular culture, 'carnivore' is also used humorously for people who love meat. It collocates with 'diet,' 'apex,' 'obligate,' and 'predator.'
Examples
- Carnivores such as wolves and bears are essential for maintaining healthy prey populations. 狼和熊等肉食动物对维持猎物种群的健康至关重要。Carnívoros como los lobos y los osos son esenciales para mantener poblaciones de presas saludables.オオカミやクマなどの肉食動物は、被食動物の健全な個体群を維持するために不可欠である。늑대와 곰 같은 육식동물은 피식 동물의 건강한 개체군을 유지하는 데 필수적이다.
- The sharp teeth and forward-facing eyes of a carnivore are evolutionary adaptations for hunting. 肉食动物的尖锐牙齿和朝前的眼睛是适应狩猎的进化特征。Los dientes afilados y los ojos orientados hacia delante de un carnívoro son adaptaciones evolutivas para la caza.肉食動物の鋭い歯と前方を向いた目は、狩りのための進化的適応である。육식동물의 날카로운 이빨과 정면을 향한 눈은 사냥을 위한 진화적 적응이다.
- As an apex carnivore, the great white shark has few natural predators. 作为顶级肉食动物,大白鲨几乎没有天敌。Como carnívoro cumbre, el gran tiburón blanco tiene pocos depredadores naturales.頂点肉食動物であるホホジロザメには天敵がほとんどいない。정점 육식동물인 백상아리에게는 천적이 거의 없다.
Pronunciation
Usage Guide
Context: academic, media, general
Tone: neutral
Origin & History
From Latin carnivorus (flesh-eating), from caro, carnis (flesh, meat) + -vorus (eating), from vorare (to devour). Related to 'carnival' (originally 'farewell to meat' before Lent).
Cultural Context
Era: Modern
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
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