Omnivore

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An omnivore (from Latin: omne all, everything; vorare to devour) is a species of animal that eats both plants and animals as its primary food source. They are opportunistic, general feeders not specifically adapted to eat and digest either meat or plant material exclusively.^[1] Pigs are one well-known example of an omnivore.^[2] Crows are another example of an omnivore that many people see every day.^[3]

Although there are reported cases of herbivores eating meat (especially when offered by humans), as well as examples of carnivores eating plant matter (such as cats eating grass), 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.

Likewise, while individual humans may choose a vegan diet, humans are still considered an omnivorous species since most of us eat a variety of both meat and vegetable products and we are not specially adapted to either a meat-only or vegetable-only diet.^[1] 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.

[edit] Species considered omnivorous

• Various mammals
  • Bears
  • Coatis
  • Hedgehogs
  • Opossums
  • Pigs
  • Primates, including monkeys, apes and humans
  • Raccoons
  • Rodents, including Chipmunks, Mice, Rats and Squirrels
  • Skunks
• Various birds
  • Cassowarys
  • Chickens
  • Corvids, including Crows, Magpies, Ravens and Rooks
  • Keas
  • Rails
  • Rheas
• Some fish such as Piranhas
• Some lizards and turtles

[edit] See also

• Carnivore
• Detritivore
• Herbivore
• Insectivore
• Feeding

[edit] References

af:Omnivoor

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