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The Classic Omnivore
Human beings seem to be classic omnivores. Originally living as "hunter-gatherers", we hunted and fished when possible but also gathered nuts, berries, fruits, seeds, and roots for much of our diet. We're physically well suited for both tasks; our hands are perfect for picking things, and our build is ideal for running down even the fastest game animals because of our great stamina. Some 10,000 years ago humans began practicing agriculture involving both animals and plants. The other omnivorous mammals include chimpanzees, pigs, opossums, porcupines, bears, raccoons, chipmunks, mice and rats, and skunks. But even many mammals classed as carnivorous turn out to be capable of shifting to plant foods when necessary.
Examples of omnivore in a Sentence
Wes Siler, Outside Online, 23 June 2025
Cranes, by contrast, are omnivores that still seek out wetlands with more habitat diversity.
—Anne Readel, Smithsonian Magazine, 18 June 2025
There is also the consideration that some people may completely change their diet from omnivore to vegetarian or vegetarian to omnivore.
—Patty Weasler, Verywell Health, 5 June 2025
But rarely have its contingency plans had to deal with stray omnivores at the rural plant.
—Reuters, CNN Money, 30 May 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Omnivore.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/omnivore. Accessed 5 Jul. 2025.
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omnivore
noun
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