Herbivore: meaning, definitions and examples
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herbivore
[ ˈhɜːr.bɪ.vɔːr ]
animal diet
An herbivore is an animal that primarily feeds on plants. Herbivores have evolved digestive systems capable of breaking down cellulose, a substance found in plant cell walls. Examples of herbivores include deer, cows, and rabbits.
Synonyms
plant-eater, vegetarian
Examples of usage
- The giraffe is a herbivore, feeding on leaves from tall trees.
- Rabbits are herbivores that graze on grass and vegetables.
Translations
Translations of the word "herbivore" in other languages:
🇵🇹 herbívoro
🇮🇳 शाकाहारी
🇩🇪 Pflanzenfresser
🇮🇩 herbivora
🇺🇦 травоїдний
🇵🇱 roślinożerca
🇯🇵 草食動物
🇫🇷 herbivore
🇪🇸 herbívoro
🇹🇷 otobur
🇰🇷 초식동물
🇸🇦 آكل النبات
🇨🇿 býložravec
🇸🇰 bylinožravec
🇨🇳 食草动物
🇸🇮 rastlinojed
🇮🇸 jurtaæta
🇰🇿 шөпқоректі
🇬🇪 მწვანილისმჭამელი
🇦🇿 ot yeyən
🇲🇽 herbívoro
Word origin
The term 'herbivore' originated from the Latin words 'herba' (meaning plant) and 'vorare' (meaning to devour). Herbivores play a crucial role in ecosystems by controlling plant populations and nutrient cycling. They have adapted over millions of years to specialize in consuming plant material as their primary food source.
See also: herb, herbaceous, herbal, herbarium, herbicide.