Herbivore, carnivore or omnivore?
Look at what each animal eats and at its teeth or beak, then sort the animals into herbivores, carnivores and omnivores.
Core concept
In short: Sort animals by what they eat: plants, other animals, or both.
Animals are grouped by what they eat: herbivores eat plants, carnivores eat other animals and omnivores eat both, and their teeth or beaks suit their food
Topic: Animals
Every animal needs food, but not the same food. Animals that eat only plants, like the cow and the goat, are herbivores. Animals that eat other animals, like the tiger and the eagle, are carnivores. Animals that eat both plants and animals, like the bear, the crow and us humans, are omnivores. An animal's mouth often tells you which it is: herbivores have broad, flat teeth to grind grass and leaves; carnivores have sharp, pointed teeth (or a hooked beak) to catch and tear meat; omnivores have both kinds. In this lab you look closely at each animal before you sort it.
What you will learn
- Classify animals as herbivores, carnivores or omnivores.
- Link the shape of an animal's teeth or beak to the food it eats.
- Give examples of each group from animals found in Nepal.
Before you start
- Know that all animals need food to live.
Materials
- Pictures of animals: cow, goat, rabbit, elephant, deer, tiger, eagle, snake, frog, owl, bear, crow, hen, pig, and yourself
Equipment
- A mirror (to look at your own teeth)
Procedure
- Pick an animal card and look at what it eats and at its teeth or beak.
- Do this for at least six animals.
- Sort every animal into herbivore, carnivore or omnivore.