Omnivores (from Latin: omnes all, everything; vorare(infinitive) to devour) are species that eat both plants and animals as their primary food source. They are opportunistic, general feeders not specifically adapted to eat and digest either meat or plant material exclusively. Pigs are one well-known example of an omnivore.[1] Crows are another example of an omnivore that many people see every day.[2] Humans are omnivores.[3][4]
Although there are reported cases of herbivores eating meat matter as well as examples of carnivores eating plants, the classification refers to the adaptations and main food source of the species in general so these exceptions do not make either individual animals nor the species as a whole omnivores.
Most bear species are considered omnivores, but individuals' diets can range from almost exclusively herbivorous to almost exclusively carnivorous depending on what food sources are available locally and seasonally. Polar bears can be classified as carnivores while pandas almost exclusively eat bamboo and are therefore herbivores, although Giant Pandas will eat some meat from time to time.
Species considered omnivorous
Various mammals are omnivorous by nature such as humans, pigs, bears, coatis, hedgehogs, opossums, skunks, sloths, squirrels[5], raccoons, chipmunks[6], mice[7] and rats[8]. Also some primates are omnivorous including chimpanzees. Various birds are omnivorous, whose diet varies from berries and nectar to insects, worms, fish, small rodents, and snakes; examples include cassowarys, chickens, corvids/crows, magpies, ravens, rooks, keas, rallidae and rheas. In addition some lizards, turtles, fish such as piranhas and invertebrates are also omnivorous.
References
- ^ Brent Huffman. "Family Suidae (Pigs)". UltimateUngulate.com. http://www.ultimateungulate.com/Cetartiodactyla/Suidae.html. Retrieved 2007-12-29.
- ^ Seattle Audubon Society. "Family Corvidae (Crows/Ravens)". BirdWeb.org. http://birdweb.org/birdweb/bird_details.aspx?id=318. Retrieved 2007-12-31.
- ^ Adapted from a talk by John McArdle, Ph.D.. "Humans are Omnivores". Vegetarian Resource Group. http://www.vrg.org/nutshell/omni.htm. Retrieved 2007-12-29.
- ^ "Omnivores". NatureWorks, New Hampshire Public Television. http://www.nhptv.org/natureworks/nwep10b.htm. Retrieved 2009-09-09.
- ^ "Tree Squirrels". The Humane Society of the United States. http://www.hsus.org/wildlife/a_closer_look_at_wildlife/tree_squirrels.html. Retrieved 2009-01-01.
- ^ "Eastern Chipmunk". Wonder Club. http://www.wonderclub.com/Wildlife/mammals/easternchipmunk.htm. Retrieved 2009-01-01.
- ^ "Florida Mouse". United States Fauna. http://www.unitedstatesfauna.com/floridamouse.php. Retrieved 2009-01-01.
- ^ "Brown Rat". Science Daily. http://www.sciencedaily.com/articles/b/brown_rat.htm. Retrieved 2009-01-01.
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Categories: Eating behaviors
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Calgary Herald
Finally, according to numerous experts, including Michael Pollan (author of The Omnivore's Dilemma and In Defense of Food), our current consumption patterns ...
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Wed, 20 Jan 2010 17:52:00 GM
The . Omnivore's. Dilemma For Kids. The Secrets Behind What You Eat. by michael pollan. Brief Description: A version of Pollans classic work on how our food gets to us, what is in it, and how it is grown. Among his detective work he tracks ...
Q. I want a lot of answers.
Asked by mattkamper - Mon Aug 18 09:42:43 2008 - - 25 Answers - 0 Comments
A. i guess a omnivore. i eat alot of meat & pasta but not a whole lot of veggies. yuck lol. but i eat some though.
Answered by Amy J - Mon Aug 18 10:17:55 2008
