Animals eat different kinds of food. Some animals eat plants, some eat other animals, and some eat both plants and animals. In this lesson, you’ll learn what herbivore, carnivore, and omnivore mean, how they are different, and how to use these words in sentences.
What Is a Herbivore?
A herbivore is an animal that eats plants. Common herbivores include cows, horses, rabbits, deer, giraffes, and elephants.
Word origin: herba (Latin for “plant” or “grass”) + vorare (“to eat” or “devour”)
Example Sentences:
- Rabbits are herbivores, so plants are an important part of their diet.
- A giraffe is a herbivore that eats leaves from trees.
- Elephants are large herbivores that eat many kinds of plants.
What Is a Carnivore?
A carnivore is an animal that eats other animals. Common carnivores include lions, tigers, wolves, sharks, eagles, and crocodiles.
Word origin: carn- (from Latin caro, meaning “flesh” or “meat”) + vorare (“to eat” or “devour”)
Example Sentences:
- A lion is a carnivore because it eats other animals.
- Many sharks are carnivores that eat fish and other sea animals.
- An eagle is a carnivore that can hunt smaller animals.
What Is an Omnivore?
An omnivore is an animal that eats both plants and animals. Common omnivores include humans, bears, pigs, chickens, crows, and raccoons.
Word origin: omni- (Latin for “all”) + vorare (“to eat” or “devour”)
Example Sentences:
- A bear is an omnivore because it can eat both plants and animals.
- Humans are generally omnivores and can eat many different kinds of food.
- Pigs are omnivores, so their diet can include both plant and animal foods.
Herbivore vs. Carnivore vs. Omnivore
| Word | Meaning | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Herbivore | Eats plants | Cow, rabbit, giraffe |
| Carnivore | Eats other animals | Lion, tiger, shark |
| Omnivore | Eats both plants and animals | Human, bear, pig |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a herbivore, carnivore, and omnivore?
A herbivore eats plants, a carnivore eats other animals, and an omnivore eats both plants and animals.
Are humans omnivores?
Yes. Humans are generally classified as omnivores because they can eat both plant foods and animal foods.
What are some examples of herbivores?
Cows, rabbits, horses, deer, giraffes, and elephants are common examples of herbivores.
What are some examples of carnivores?
Lions, tigers, wolves, sharks, eagles, and crocodiles are common examples of carnivores.
What are some examples of omnivores?
Humans, bears, pigs, chickens, crows, and raccoons are examples of omnivores.
