Omnivorous
Omnivorous
Omnivorous (/ɒmˈnɪvərəs/ from Latin: omni, "all, everything"; vorare, "to devour") is a classification for animals that have the ability to obtain their energy and nutrients from a diet consisting of a variety of food sources that may include plants, animals, algae, fungi and bacteria.
Etymology
The term "omnivorous" is derived from the Latin words "omni" meaning "all" and "vorare" meaning "to devour". It was first used in English in the mid-17th century to describe animals that eat both plants and meat.
Related Terms
- Carnivorous: Refers to animals that primarily eat other animals.
- Herbivorous: Refers to animals that primarily eat plants.
- Insectivorous: Refers to animals that primarily eat insects.
- Piscivorous: Refers to animals that primarily eat fish.
- Frugivorous: Refers to animals that primarily eat fruits.
- Folivorous: Refers to animals that primarily eat leaves.
Examples of Omnivorous Animals
- Humans: Humans are considered omnivores, as their diet consists of both plant and animal matter.
- Bears: Most bear species, such as the brown bear and the black bear, are omnivorous.
- Pigs: Pigs are omnivorous, consuming both plant and animal matter.
- Raccoons: Raccoons are omnivorous, with a diet that includes fruits, nuts, insects, and small animals.
- Chickens: Chickens are omnivorous, eating a diet that includes seeds, insects, and even small mice or lizards.
See Also
- Diet (nutrition): The sum of the food consumed by an organism or group.
- Food chain: A series of organisms each dependent on the next as a source of food.
- Trophic level: The position an organism occupies in a food chain.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Omnivorous
- Wikipedia's article - Omnivorous
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