What term describes an animal that eats other animals?

• A. Scavenger
• B. Herbivore
• C. Omnivore
• D. Carnivore

Answer: (D)

Carnivores are animals that obtain energy by eating other animals. This describes creatures whose diet is primarily animal tissue, such as wolves, eagles, and snakes. It’s different from herbivores, which eat plants, and from omnivores, which eat both plants and animals. Scavengers, on the other hand, eat animals that are already dead rather than actively hunting for live prey, so that’s a different eating pattern. In short, when an animal’s feeding strategy centers on consuming other animals, the term carnivore fits best.