omnivore
omnivore, animal with wide food preferences, which can eat both plant and animal matter. Many small birds and mammals are omnivorous; deer mice and mockingbirds have diets that at different times may include a preponderance of insects or berries. Many animals generally considered carnivores are actually omnivorous, among them the red fox, which enjoys fruits and berries, and the snapping turtle, one-third of whose diet is provided by plants.
Citation Information
Article Title:
omnivore
Website Name:
Encyclopaedia Britannica
Publisher:
Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc.
Date Published:
16 November 2024
Access Date:
February 22, 2025