zoophagy

9.9

To eat other animals for food

noun
/zuˈɑfədʒi/

Specialized

: zoofagia

The evolution of zoophagy has led to several adaptations in predators' teeth and digestive systems.

Examples

Some parasites exhibit zoophagy, feeding exclusively on animal hosts to survive.
Lions exhibit zoophagy as they primarily hunt smaller animals.
Researchers have discovered a unique pattern of zoophagy among certain tropical insect species.
The zoophagy of wolves is essential for maintaining the ecosystem.
Lions exhibit zoophagy as they primarily hunt and eat other animals for food.
The zoophagy of many species helps to regulate animal populations in their habitats.
In nature, zoophagy is a common survival strategy among carnivorous animals.

Synonyms

carnivorousness

vszoophagy

8.8

A tendency to eat mostly meat

is the habitual practice of animals eating other animals

Antonyms

herbivory

Specialized

1 7.0

Eating plants by animals, often causing damage to the plants

How Carnivorous

zoophagy

Specialized

9.9

omnivore

Specialized

9 3.9

herbivory

Specialized

1 7.0

Surface Forms

zoophagy singular

zoophagies plural

Morphology

zoophagy = zoo (opaque) = zoo + phagy

While 'zoo' is a recognizable element, the combining form '-phagy' is technical and unfamiliar to most learners, so they will not readily infer 'animal-eating' from the base.

Etymology

Zoophagy comes from Greek parts zoo- meaning 'animal', as in zoo, and -phagy meaning 'eating'. So, zoophagy literally means 'animal eating', the habit of animals that eat other animals.