AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -A mammal that eats only the meat from other animals is a carnivore. In the wild, a carnivore will hunt other animals for food. Carnivores usually have to eat a lot to give them the energy they need.

Detailed explanation-2: -Carnivores that consume other carnivores are called tertiary consumers. Killer whales, or orcas, are a classic example of tertiary consumers. Killer whales hunt seals and sea lions.

Detailed explanation-3: -Animals that eat plants exclusively are herbivores, and animals that eat only meat are carnivores. When animals eat both plants and meat, they are called omnivores. The balance of an ecosystem depends on the presence of every type of animal.

Detailed explanation-4: -Carnivores that eat mostly meat are called obligate carnivores; they cannot properly digest vegetation. The cat family, including lions, tigers and small cats, for example, are obligate carnivores.