What Animals Eat?

What Do Animals Eat?

Just like you, animals need food to get energy so they can grow, move, and stay healthy. However, not every animal eats the same thing! Scientists group animals into three main categories based on what they put on their dinner plates.

1. Herbivores (Plant Eaters) Herbivores are animals that eat only plants. This includes leaves, grass, fruits, seeds, and even tree bark.

• Special Features: They often have flat, wide teeth to help them grind up tough plants.
• Examples:
• Cows and Horses: Eat mostly grass.
• Elephants: Eat leaves and branches.
• Rabbits: Love clover and vegetables.

2. Carnivores (Meat Eaters) Carnivores are animals that eat other animals. They are often called "predators."

• Special Features: They usually have sharp teeth or beaks and long claws to help them catch their food.
• Examples:
• Lions and Tigers: Hunt for other animals on land.
• Sharks: Hunt for fish in the ocean.
• Owls: Hunt for small mice at night.

3. Omnivores (Everything Eaters) Omnivores are like the "flexible" eaters of the animal kingdom. They eat both plants and animals.

• Special Features: They often have a mix of sharp teeth (for meat) and flat teeth (for plants).
• Examples:
• Bears: Eat berries and fish.
• Chickens: Eat seeds and tiny bugs.
• Humans: Most people eat vegetables, fruits, and meat!

The Food Chain In nature, all these eaters are connected in a Food Chain. It shows how energy passes from one living thing to another.

1. The Sun: Gives energy to plants.
2. The Plant: A herbivore (like a grasshopper) eats the plant.
3. The Animal: A carnivore (like a frog) eats the grasshopper.
4. The Top Predator: A bigger carnivore (like a hawk) eats the frog.

Lesson Summary

• Herbivores eat plants.
• Carnivores eat meat.
• Omnivores eat both.
• The Food Chain shows who eats whom in nature.