The differences between herbivores and carnivores are summarized in the table below:
| The primary food source of herbivores is almost exclusively plants or plant-based sources | The primary food source of carnivores is meat – which is derived from other animals. |
| Based on the type of plant material herbivores eat, they can be categorized into 4 types. Seed eaters (granivores), leaf – eaters (folivores), fruit eaters (frugivores) and nectar feeders (nectarivore) | Carnivores can further be classified into obligate carnivores and facultative carnivores. Obligate carnivores rely entirely on meat while facultative carnivores can survive on a combination of meat and non-animal food. |
| Most herbivores have several stomach chambers. They also have a comparatively longer digestive tract than carnivores. Such animals with multiple stomach chambers are called ruminants | Carnivores have a much simpler digestive system. They also have only one stomach chamber with a shorter digestive tract. |
| Since herbivores eat plant matter, they have teeth designed specifically for the task. For instance, cows have large, flat teeth that are capable of grinding up plant material. | In contrast, carnivores have teeth which are adept for hunting and consuming flesh. For instance, lions have sharp incisors and large, pointed canine teeth. Even their molars are sharp enough to shear meat. |
| Herbivores have skulls and teeth which are specially designed to grind tough vegetation. | Carnivores have skulls which are capable of biting with great force. |
| Since plant matter is rich in carbohydrates and coarse fibre, herbivores have amylase in their saliva to help break them down. | Carnivores do not produce amylase in their saliva. Instead, they have to rely on their pancreas to digest carbohydrates. |
| Folivores: Sloths and Koalas Granivores: Capybara, grey squirrel Frugivores: Kakapo, Grey parrot, white cockatoo Nectarivore: hummingbirds | Obligate carnivores: Lions, tigers Facultative carnivores: Dogs |
0 Comments