Insectivorous
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Insectivorous
Insectivorous (pronunciation: /ɪnˌsɛktɪˈvɔːrəs/) refers to organisms, particularly animals, that consume insects as a primary part of their diet. The term is derived from the Latin words 'insectum', meaning 'insect', and 'vorare', meaning 'to devour'.
Etymology
The term 'insectivorous' is a combination of two Latin words. The first, 'insectum', is the past participle of 'insecare' which means 'to cut into'. The second, 'vorare', means 'to devour' or 'to swallow'. Together, they describe an organism that devours insects.
Related Terms
- Carnivorous: Refers to organisms that primarily consume other animals.
- Herbivorous: Refers to organisms that primarily consume plant matter.
- Omnivorous: Refers to organisms that consume a varied diet of both plant and animal matter.
- Piscivorous: Refers to organisms that primarily consume fish.
- Detritivorous: Refers to organisms that consume decaying organic matter.
Examples of Insectivorous Animals
Many animals are insectivorous, including a variety of birds, mammals, reptiles, and amphibians. Some examples include:
- Bats: Many species of bats are insectivorous, using echolocation to locate their prey in the dark.
- Frogs and Toads: These amphibians use their long, sticky tongues to catch insects.
- Anteaters: These mammals consume ants and termites, using their long snouts and tongues to extract insects from their colonies.
- Spiders: Although not an animal, spiders are a prime example of an insectivorous organism, trapping insects in their webs and consuming them.
See Also
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