Adaptation for Food in Animals

Adaptation for food in animals is classified in different categories as herbivores, carnivores, omnivores and parasites according to the food they eat. Animals eat plants or other animals. Their teeth and other body parts are adapted to the kind of food they eat.

Herbivores: Animals that eat plants are called herbivores. Cows, horses, goats and deer are the examples of herbivores.

Their sharp front teeth help them to cut grass and their flat grinding teeth at the back help them to chew the grass. The trunk of the elephant and the long neck of the giraffe help them to break and eat leaves from trees.

Carnivores: Animals that eat the flesh of other animals are called carnivores. Tigers, lions and foxes are the examples of carnivores.

They have long, sharp teeth and claws which help them to tear the flesh. They have strong legs which help them to run fast to catch their prey.

Snakes are carnivorous animals. They use their scales to move fast on the ground. They swallow their prey fully.

Eagles and vultures are carnivorous birds. They have sharp claws and beaks to catch their prey and tear its flesh.

Omnivores: Animals that eat both plants and animals are called omnivores. Humans, bears and crows are omnivorous animals.

Parasites: Animals that depend on other living animals for their food are called parasites. Mosquitoes, fleas and leeches are parasites that suck the blood of other animals. They do not have teeth. Instead they have sucking tubes in their mouth.

Fourth Grade

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