FLESH EATING MAMMALS (CARNIVORES) Qn. What are carnivores?

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FLESH EATING MAMMALS (CARNIVORES)

Qn.           What are carnivores?

          These are mammals that feed on flesh.

         Characteristics of carnivores 

• They have well developed canines for tearing flesh.
• They have sharp claws forholding, killing and tearing flesh. 
• They have soft pads under their feet to enable them run after their prey without making noise.
• They have a good speed.
• They have good sense of smell, sight and hearing 

          Groups of carnivores

• Cat family 
• Dog family 

(a)      Cat family 

          These are carnivores with features similar to those of a domestic cat. 

         Examples of carnivores in the cat family.

• cat                         –       
• jaguar
• leopard                   –       
• cheetah  –    
• lion             –       
• puma
• tiger                       –       
• panther 

(b)     Dog family

These are carnivores with features similar to those of a domestic dog. 

Note:

Hyenas and jackals are called scavenger mammals

Qn. What are scavenger mammals?

 These are carnivores which feed on abandoned flesh.  Importance of scavenger mammals

• They help to clean the environment by feeding on abandoned flesh/ carrion. 

Diagram show the skull of a carnivore