Animals eat different kinds of food. Herbivores eat only plants. Carnivores eat only other animals. Omnivores eat both plants and animals. You can often tell what an animal eats by looking at its teeth and body.
Sort animal pictures into three groups based on what they eat. Look at pictures of different teeth — flat teeth for grinding plants, sharp teeth for tearing meat. Discuss what you eat and figure out which group humans belong to.
All animals need food to live, but they do not all eat the same things. Scientists sort animals into three groups based on what they eat: herbivores, carnivores, and omnivores.
Herbivores eat only plants. Cows munch on grass. Rabbits nibble on carrots and clover. Deer eat leaves and berries. Caterpillars chew on plant leaves. If you look at a herbivore's teeth, you will notice they are mostly flat — perfect for grinding up tough plants. Herbivores have to eat a lot of plants because plants do not have as much energy as meat, so animals like cows and horses spend a big part of their day eating.
Carnivores eat other animals. Lions hunt zebras. Eagles catch mice. Sharks eat fish. Frogs eat insects. Carnivores usually have sharp teeth or claws for catching and tearing their food. They also tend to have eyes in the front of their head, which helps them spot and chase prey. Carnivores do not eat plants — their bodies are built to get energy from meat.
Omnivores eat both plants and animals. Bears eat berries AND salmon. Raccoons eat fruit AND insects. Chickens peck at seeds AND worms. Humans are omnivores too — we eat salads, bread, fruit, chicken, fish, and eggs. If you look at your own teeth, you have sharp ones in the front for biting and flat ones in the back for grinding, which is a mix that helps you eat both plants and meat.
None of these groups are better or worse than the others. Each type of eater fills an important role in nature. Herbivores keep plants from growing out of control. Carnivores keep herbivore populations in balance. Omnivores are flexible and can find food in many situations. Every animal eats what its body needs.