A carnivore is defined as an organism that:

A carnivore is specifically defined as an organism that primarily consumes other animals. This dietary habit is characterized by the consumption of flesh from various animal species. Carnivores have adaptations that support this feeding strategy, such as sharp teeth and claws, allowing them to hunt and consume their prey effectively.

This classification distinguishes carnivores from herbivores, which consume plants, and omnivores, which have a more varied diet that includes both plant and animal matter. Decomposers, on the other hand, break down dead organic material, playing a different ecological role. Understanding this distinction is crucial for grasping the dynamics of food webs and ecosystems, where carnivores often occupy higher trophic levels and play vital roles in controlling prey populations and maintaining ecological balance.