The omnivorous animals are those animals that feed on both plants and the meat of other animals. For example: ostrich, bear, mouse.
These animals can, thanks to this quality, change their environment more easily, since they can find multiple sources of food. We find omnivores among mammals, birds, and even fish and reptiles.
The most general classification according to the type of feeding of animals includes, in addition to omnivores, herbivores and carnivores:
- herbivores. They eat vegetables. Since they should not tear meat, there are no canines between their teeth, but there are incisors and molars that allow them to cut and grind vegetables. For this, their jaws also have a lateral movement or from front to back. For example: cow, rabbit
- Carnivores. They feed on other animals. They can be scavengers (they feed on dead animals) or hunters (they catch live animals and eat them after killing them). They tend to be more aggressive, especially hunters (also called predators). In its teeth are fangs (canines) that allow to catch the prey. For example: Lion Tiger.
examples of omnivorous animals
mammals
- Bears. They can hunt animals such as fish, insects and even other mammals, but they also feed on fruits and roots. There are also exclusively carnivorous species of bears, such as the polar bear.
- Human being. Human beings can digest both animals and vegetables. However, some people choose to eliminate animals from their diet. For this they need to plan meals correctly, in such a way as to consume all the proteins and vitamins and minerals that meat provides in large quantities.
- pigs. The pig can feed on practically anything. However, in the wild they are usually herbivores, because their jaw is better prepared to consume vegetables.
- Dog. Although the dog is naturally carnivorous, domestication has adapted it to a variety of foods, especially those that include starch.
- foxes. Although they are hunters, unlike other canids (wolves, dogs, etc.) they do not usually move in packs. They hunt rodents and grasshoppers but can also feed on fruits and berries.
- hedgehogs. They are small animals with their backs covered with spikes, which live in Europe, Asia and Africa. However, in some countries it is allowed to adopt them as pets. The spikes serve to defend themselves, since when they are threatened they form a ball, hiding their defenseless parts and exposing only the spikes. They usually feed on insects and small invertebrates, but also occasionally eat fruits and vegetables.
- Mice. Although they are naturally herbivorous, mice that live in urban areas have adapted to consume waste, including those of animal origin. They consume 15% of their weight in food daily.
- squirrels. Rodents that can measure between 20 and 45 cm, where a significant part of the body is occupied by the tail. While they feed primarily on fruits, flowers, nuts, and seeds, they also eat insects and spiders.
- coatis. Small mammals that inhabit America, in warm and temperate climates with dense forest. They adapt to the food available in their environment, being able to choose insects, fruits, eggs and chicks.
Birds
- Ostrich. A large, flightless bird found in Africa. It can reach 3 meters in height and 180 kg in weight, making it the largest and heaviest bird that exists. It has no teeth and has little mobility in the tongue, so it does not chew food. Although it feeds mainly on flowers and fruits, it also consumes small animals and arthropods.
- seagulls. They feed on all kinds of marine animals, vegetables, insects, small birds, bird eggs, rats, and many other foods, including carrion. Although they are naturally inhabitants of the sea coasts, they are currently found flying over the garbage dumps of the cities.
- chickens. Chickens can eat leftover meat, vegetables, fruits, legumes, insects. However, there are differences about the proper feed for chickens. While some recommend giving them flour, others say that corn decreases the number of eggs they lay. On the other hand, it is recommended to limit the amount of animal protein they consume, to avoid the appearance of diseases.
reptiles
- ocellated lizard. They are reptiles of more than 50 cm long, green or brown. They have thick legs and strong claws, which allow them to hunt rodents and other reptiles, but also to obtain fruits and berries. They live in the south west of Europe and in North Africa.
- land turtles. Some species of turtles, in addition to feeding on vegetables such as carrots, lettuce, chard or broccoli, and fruits such as apples, pears or watermelon, are capable of eating crickets or earthworms.
Fish
- piranhas. They live in rivers of South America, mainly in the Amazon area. They measure between 20 and 60 cm in length. In addition to the omnivorous piranha species, there are also exclusively carnivorous and other herbivorous species. There may even be cases of attacking their own kind. They can have different colors, ranging from silver to black or reddish. Some species live in groups, forming schools of thousands of individuals, while others are solitary.