Carnivores

Carnivores are meat-eating mammals. Learn about tigers, coyotes, and other predators of the animal kingdom.

Learn More / Page 2

The ocelot may look like a slightly wilder version of a domesticated tabby cat, but they are three times the size of house cats, much fiercer and, though abundant in some areas, still endangered.

By Michelle Konstantinovsky

When we think of big cats in the wild, we most likely think of lions and tigers. But there are so many more amazing wild cats you've probably never even heard of. Here are five.

By Oisin Curran

A first-of-its-kind study reaffirms why wolves are vital to the health of our ecosystem.

By Michelle Konstantinovsky

Advertisement

By frightening top predators, the fear of humans may be distorting ecosystem processes even more than previously imagined.

By Jesslyn Shields

A new scientific study reveals that the smells unique to meerkat communities aren't produced by the meerkats themselves.

By Chris Opfer

House cats seem to love chasing laser pointers. But what about their larger, wilder cousins?

By Laurie L. Dove

The cuddly cubs were born in the same zoo that experienced disastrous flooding in 2015.

By Christopher Hassiotis

Advertisement

Motion-sensing cameras, detailed maps and a special poop-detecting dog all played a part in finding the jaguar nicknamed "El Jefe."

By Christopher Hassiotis

Breaking multiple records, Sarah set speeds never matched by any other animal. She was euthanized earlier this week by the staff at the Cincinnati Zoo, where she lived.

By Christopher Hassiotis

Cheetahs share so much DNA that they're practically clones of one another. But what does this mean for the future of the species?

By Bambi Turner

As fans of George R.R. Martin's "Song of Ice and Fire" series know all too well, a person encountering a dire wolf will likely end up in dire straits. But while these fearsome beasts make for great fiction, do they have any grounding in reality?

By Kate Kershner

Advertisement

Learn all about tigers with these HowStuffWorks Tiger Facts!

In this guide to mammals, you'll learn about the Gray Wolf, the largest canid in the world. Learn about the Gray Wolf's habitat, diet and conservation status.

You'd like to trap the skunk in your backyard, without getting sprayed. Find out here how to trap a skunk without getting sprayed.

By HowStuffWorks.com Contributors

Most jackals have the same nuclear family as the one portrayed in "Leave it to Beaver" -- a father, a mother and the kids. So do Mama and Papa jackal call a babysitter when they want date night?

By Cristen Conger

Advertisement

If you've been sprayed by a skunk, you probably ended up in a bathtub filled with tomato juice. But is there any truth to this treatment, or should we debunk the skunk?

By Jennifer Horton

If the animal world were school, otters would be those kids who never leave the playground. Always begging for five more minutes of recess, otters take playtime very seriously.

By Cristen Conger

If you come across a cougar, you might scream in fear. So if this predator could easily devour you, why might it harmonize your screech with its own tone-deaf shriek?

By Cristen Conger

With powerful jaws, massive paws and piercing claws, the leopard is built for hunting. But how can this cat possibly take down animals three times its size?

By Cristen Conger

Advertisement

When cats go swimming, is it still considered doggy paddling? Tigers might not be invited to your next pool party, but they sure do love taking a dip.

By Cristen Conger

Loners might seem intriguing, but they lead dangerous lives -- a least those in the wolf world do. Lone wolves are outsiders, relying only on themselves to survive without a pack.

By Cristen Conger

Plagued by negative images and slanderous tales, wolves could use the help of a good publicist. Will positive news like wolves help strengthen the ecosystem override age-old fears and misconceptions?

By Cristen Conger

What's a full moon without the cry of a wolf echoing in the background? Are wolves really howling at the moon or just talking among themselves?

By Cristen Conger

Advertisement

Wolves are wild predators and could kill your beloved Fido for a tasty meal. But will these animals come after you, or do they prefer a drama-free neighborhood?

By Cristen Conger

Contrary to popular belief, the leaders of a wolf pack aren't always hyper-aggressive social climbers. The truth is more nuanced, and more interesting.

By Cristen Conger & Mark Mancini