Herbivores Animals – Definition and Examples

Herbivores Animals

We all know that there are various types of animals found in nature. They vary from each other depending on a lot of things. One such differentiation is definitely on the basis of the diet of the animals. Learn about herbivores animals in detail.

There are mainly three types which categorize into herbivore, carnivore, and omnivore. The physical and behavioural adaptations of these animals will help us understand them better. There are various types of herbivores animals that come in different shapes and sizes.

Definition of Herbivores Animals

Herbivores are the kind of animals whose diet comprises of solely plants. As you know, plants are easily found in almost every habitat.

Furthermore, they are available in different shapes, colours, sizes and more. Therefore, this easy availability makes them an abundant source of food.

Similar to humans, animals also include it in their diet. And, herbivores only include these in their diet. While these animals only consume plants, their diet definitely varies from one to another.

For instance, some herbivores are quite selective consuming only specific parts of the plant like the fruits, bark, nectar or more. On the other hand, some are not that selective and eat almost every component of the plant.

Physical Adaptations of Herbivores Animals

As we all know, different types of animals have different features to adapt to the environment. Similarly, herbivores also have them to survive as plant-eaters. One major feature is that of their head.

Most of them have eyes on the side of their head. It allows them to have a wider field of vision. Thus, allowing them to see all way round without moving their heads.

This wide field of vision of help as these animals is easy prey for carnivores. Therefore, it allows them to stay ahead and save themselves from the attack of the predator.

Similarly, the ear of the herbivores is also designed as such to avoid predation. This increases the volume of the sounds one hears and helps them be more careful.

Examples of Herbivores Animals

There are different types of herbivores. They further divide into the category of insect herbivores and mammalian herbivores.

Insect Herbivores

As we all know that herbivores consume only plants or their products, one might automatically assume that all insects are such.

However, it is not so as various types of insects are also carnivores as they eat other insects. For instance, mosquitoes, hornets, beetles and more.

On the other herbivorous insects only consume plants and their products, this also includes the ones which consume nectar and pollen.

Some herbivorous insects are butterflies, grasshoppers, honeybees, maggots, aphids, and more. As most of the plants produce repellents to ward off these insects, these herbivorous insects adapt themselves to certain types of plants for feeding.

Mammalian Herbivores

These animals are mammals who happen to be herbivorous. They have various features that differentiate them from carnivores.

They have blunt teeth that assist them in stripping leaves from plants and chewing tough plant fibers. Moreover, some also have special adaptations that help in accessing and digesting those plants.

Mammalian herbivores are found in abundance. They include cows, deer, horses, sheep and more. Some other examples also consist of elk, zebras, rabbits, elephants, antelope, rhinoceros, and more.

Some herbivorous animals also have cheek pouches. This helps them to store food and break down the plant cellulose.

Solved Question for You

Question– Which of the following is not a herbivorous insect?

A. Grasshopper
B. Butterfly
C. Mosquito
D. Maggots

Answer– The correct answer is option C. Mosquitoes are not herbivorous insects. On the contrary, they are known to be carnivores who eat or parasitize on other insects.