Naked Science Forum

Life Sciences => Plant Sciences, Zoology & Evolution => Topic started by: jc on 31/05/2008 10:46:26

Title: What is a carnivore?
Post by: jc on 31/05/2008 10:46:26

jc asked the Naked Scientists:

What is a carnivore?

What do you think?

Title: What is a carnivore?
Post by: DoctorBeaver on 31/05/2008 18:29:13

The name "carnivore" is derived from 2 Latin words. "Caro" meaning flesh, and "vorare" meaning to eat ("voracious" is derived from vorare), devour.

In Latin these 2 words were combined to produce "carivorus", one who devours flesh.

The French naturalist Baron Cuvier applied the term Carnivora to a large group of meat-eating mammals in 1830. The term "carnivore" itself is first recorded in 1854.

So, I believe the strict answer to your question is that "carnivore" means "any creature that devours flesh". These days, however, it is applied to animals that consume only meat. Those that consume meat and other food stuffs are referred to as being "omniverous" which means "all consuming" (again from Latin).

Title: What is a carnivore?
Post by: blakestyger on 31/05/2008 22:37:36

And vorare comes originally from vorax, a pit.

Title: What is a carnivore?
Post by: Make it Lady on 31/05/2008 23:53:32

My two growing boys are bottomless vorax.

Title: What is a carnivore?
Post by: DoctorBeaver on 01/06/2008 11:03:17

Quote from: blakestyger on 31/05/2008 22:37:36

And vorare comes originally from vorax, a pit.

Does it? I thought vorax was derived from vorare and is an adjective meaning glutttonous.

Are you maybe confusing vorax with vorago which means a chasm, pit or abyss?