Omnivores
Omnivores
Omnivores (/ɒmˈnɪvɔːrz/; from Latin: omni, "all, everything"; vorare, "to devour") are animals that can consume and obtain nutrients from both plant and animal matter. Omnivores can also incorporate other food sources like bacteria, fungi, and algae in their diet.
Etymology
The term "omnivore" is derived from the Latin words "omni" meaning "all" and "vorare" meaning "to devour". It was first used in English in the mid-19th century.
Characteristics
Omnivores have characteristics that allow them to eat a generalist diet, including both plants and animals. They have a variety of tooth types, such as incisors, canines, premolars, and molars, allowing them to eat a wide range of food types. Some omnivores, like humans, have flat molars for grinding plants, and sharp canines for tearing meat.
Examples
Examples of omnivores include humans, bears, pigs, raccoons, chickens, and many rodents. Some dinosaurs are also believed to have been omnivores.
Related Terms
- Carnivores: Animals that primarily eat other animals.
- Herbivores: Animals that primarily eat plants.
- Scavengers: Animals that consume dead organisms that were not killed by the scavenger.
- Detritivores: Organisms that feed on detritus or organic waste.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Omnivores
- Wikipedia's article - Omnivores
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