The term for consumers that eat both plants and animals is omnivores. Omnivores occupy a key role in the food chain, as they derive energy and nutrients from a varied diet.
Examples of Omnivores in Nature:
- Humans: Most humans consume a mix of plant-based and animal-based foods.
- Bears: Many bear species, such as brown bears, eat berries, nuts, fish, and small mammals.
- Pigs: Domesticated pigs and wild boars feed on roots, fruits, and small animals.
- Raccoons: Their diet includes fruits, insects, and small vertebrates.
- Birds: Certain birds, like crows, consume seeds, fruits, insects, and small animals.
Omnivores play a vital role in maintaining ecosystem balance, as they contribute to both plant control and the regulation of prey populations.