but i was specifically thinking mammal given the context and for which teeth would make it obvious
even the smaller ones, cats in natural habitats come to mind are apex, and i remember learning the avoidance of eating them had to do with parasite avoidance when other food was available
I did not realize weasels were obligate carnivores and bats were a great example as well
Parasite avoidance is a factor, but mostly in the inhibition of cannibalism.
Cats are far from apex predators. They are prey to birds of prey, canids and even bigger mustellids like badgers and wolverines. But birds, like the eurasian eagle-owl and canids like coyotes are their main concern.
And we can clearly see the prey behavior deeply ingrained in our very cautious, flighty friends.
i get the point you are making, and i concede it
but i was specifically thinking mammal given the context and for which teeth would make it obvious
even the smaller ones, cats in natural habitats come to mind are apex, and i remember learning the avoidance of eating them had to do with parasite avoidance when other food was available
I did not realize weasels were obligate carnivores and bats were a great example as well
Parasite avoidance is a factor, but mostly in the inhibition of cannibalism.
Cats are far from apex predators. They are prey to birds of prey, canids and even bigger mustellids like badgers and wolverines. But birds, like the eurasian eagle-owl and canids like coyotes are their main concern.
And we can clearly see the prey behavior deeply ingrained in our very cautious, flighty friends.
cool, thank you for the replies