Some of us eat plant and dairy products, while others consume a meat based diet along with plant and dairy products. Based on the type of food we eat, we can be categorized into vegetarians or non vegetarians. Just like us, animals also have their own preferences for food and we can group them into three broad categories: herbivores, carnivores, and omnivores, based on their eating habits.
What is Herbivores?
Herbivorous animals are the animals that mostly feed on plants, fruits, leaves, seeds, grass and other natural food sources. From tiny insects like bees to large, lumbering elephants—all come under the vast category of herbivorous animals! Other examples of herbivorous animals include cows, horses, sheep, rabbits, goats, deer, parrots, snails, etc. Most of the herbivorous animals have blunt teeth and wide molars.
3 Interesting Facts about Herbivorous Animals
1. Dinosaurs like Stegosaurus and Apatosaurus were herbivores.
2. Herbivores need a lot of energy to survive and that is why they spend most of their time eating.
3. Herbivorous animals have specialized digestive system to digest raw plants.
What is Carnivores?
Carnivorous animals are the animals that eat the flesh of other animals. Lions, tigers, foxes, wolves, vultures, etc. come under this category. No, do not call them ‘bad’ yet, just because they kill and eat other animals! These animals are extremely important to any ecosystem because they keep the population of other species in control.
The bigger the carnivore, the more it has to eat! Carnivores are also known as predators and the animals that they hunt are called prey. Carnivores usually have long and sharp teeth that help them nab the prey and rip apart its flesh.
3 Interesting Facts about Carnivorous Animals
1. The polar bear is the largest carnivore that is also known to hunt even human beings.
2. Weasel is the smallest living carnivore.
3. Some plants like pitcher plant and sundew are carnivorous in nature and feast on insects.
What is Omnivores?
Omnivorous animals are the animals that can eat both—meat of other animals and plants and plant products—whatever is available. Some examples are bears, pigs, rats, chicken, piranha fish and crows. Omnivores have specialized teeth that make it possible for them to eat both plants and animals.
3 Interesting Facts about Omnivorous Animals
1. Omnivores cannot eat all types of plants; they are unable to digest the plants that do not produce grains and fruits.
2. Since omnivores eat both plants and flesh of other animals, they have the ability to survive in a wide variety of environments.
3. Omnivores, along with carnivores, are placed at the third and the highest level of the food chain.
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