Herbivores, Carnivores, and Omnivores

Animals eat different kinds of food to survive. Some eat only plants. Some eat only other animals. And some eat both plants and animals. Scientists use special words to describe these three groups of eaters.

Herbivores and Carnivores

Herbivores are animals that eat only plants. Cows, rabbits, and deer are herbivores. They have flat teeth for grinding leaves and grasses. Carnivores eat only other animals. Lions, hawks, and sharks are carnivores. They have sharp teeth or claws for catching and eating prey.

Omnivores

Omnivores eat both plants and animals. Bears eat berries and fish. Pigs eat roots and insects. Humans are omnivores too. Omnivores usually have a mix of sharp and flat teeth. Being an omnivore is helpful because there are more food choices available.

Fun Facts

• A panda is classified as a carnivore, but it eats almost nothing but bamboo.
• A cow spends about eight hours a day chewing food.
• The great white shark can eat up to 11 tons of food in a year.

Did You Know?

Some plants are carnivores too! Venus flytraps and pitcher plants catch and eat insects to get extra nutrients that are missing from the poor soil they grow in.