Omnivorous animals are those that feed on vegetable and animal sources, that is, an omnivore has a very varied diet.
The origin of the word omnivore comes from Latin and means the union of the terms "omnis" and "virus" which means "one who eats everything".
Because the omnivorous animal has a diversified diet, it is common to be classified as a predator.
Examples of omnivorous animals
See below a list with 10 omnivorous animals.
1. Ostrich
The ostrich is considered one of the largest birds on the planet and does not have the ability to fly due to its structure and body weight.
It is found in several places around the world due to its resistance to environments with desert region.
This bird has a complex digestive system and its diet is mainly based on insects, small animals, grasses and seeds.
2. Chimpanzee
The chimpanzee is a mammal that is very similar to human beings, mainly because of its behavior.
Their food has a lot of variety, as they usually consume seeds, leaves, insect larvae and ants.
3. squirrel
The squirrel is a mammal that is characterized by its habit of eating seeds such as walnuts, hazelnuts and fruits holding the hands and gnawing until the end.
In addition to these foods, the squirrel also supplements its diet with small animals, so it is considered an omnivore.
They can be found in different parts of the world, as they have the ability to adapt and develop strategies to live in specific places.
4. Seagull
Gulls are water birds because they have the ability to swim. Given this particularity, its main habitat are coastal regions.
Their food is mainly made from fish hunted directly from the sea. In addition, they also feed on animal remains and eggs from other animals.
5. Shrimp
Opossums are animals known for their strong smell and resistance to places with poor hygiene. They are marsupials related to kangaroos.
The opossum's diet is very varied as it does not have any type of restriction, thus consuming dead animals, insects, fruits, cereals, among other things.
6. Tortoise
The tortoise is an animal often confused with the turtle, but the difference is in the place where they live.
It is a terrestrial reptile, whereas the turtle spends much of its time in water.
The tortoise's diet is diversified, as it consumes insects, leaves, flowers and seeds. Thus, this animal is considered very important in seed dissemination.
7. Guara wolf
The maned wolf is a mammal easily found in central Brazil, especially in the Cerrado. It is listed as endangered.
Its food is varied between fruits and animals such as rodents, birds, lizards, snakes and insects.
8. Bat
The bat is the only mammal capable of flying. They live in caves and are known for their taste for blood, so there is a myth that they suck blood from humans.
Its food is made up of fruits and flowers, as well as small insects.
9. Hedgehog
The porcupine is a rodent known for its defense strategy, which is to throw thorns at its predator.
They live in different regions of the world. Their diet is varied and usually consumes the remains of animals found in the forest, as well as roots, fruits and tree bark, as they have sharp teeth.
10. bear
The bear is a mammal considered omnivorous because it feeds on animals, on the vegetation of the place it lives, on fruits and roots.
It is a large animal and lives in different climates and regions of the world, thus influencing its diet.
Read more about:
- Polar Bear
- The 10 biggest predators in the animal kingdom
Characteristics of omnivorous animals
Omnivorous animals participate in several food chains as they can be classified as primary, secondary or tertiary consumers.
Other characteristics that omnivorous animals have are:
- Short incisor teeth;
- Long, curved canine teeth;
- Sharp or flat molar teeth;
- Reduced facial muscles;
- Sharp nails;
- They do not have digestive enzymes in saliva;
- acidic stomach pH;
- Short small intestine;
- Concentrated urine.
Expand your knowledge about animal feeding and read about:
- Herbivorous Animals
- autotrophs and heterotrophs
Curiosities about omnivorous animals
Some animals that eat meat sporadically cannot be considered omnivores. This is because the animal is classified as an omnivore only when its main food source has an animal and a plant.
An example of this is we humans, who consume meat and vegetables to maintain a balanced diet.
Another curiosity is that the human being is considered an omnivorous animal, however, with a digestive system differentiated. That is, our stomach has a low pH and the intestine is long, similar to herbivorous animals.
Learn more about endangered and extinct animals on the planet:
- Endangered Animals in Brazil
- Endangered Animals in the World
- Endangered Animals in the Amazon Forest
- Extinct Animals in Brazil
- Extinct animals
