Question

Do we say mode of nutrition in herbivores to be herbivorous or herbivore?

Answer 1

Hint: Nutrition of an organism actually means the food that it preferably eats. The living organisms are broadly classified into two main categories based on their nutritional modes- Autotrophic and Heterotrophic.

Complete answer:
The autotrophs are the ones that are capable of making their own food. They don’t consume any other organism to fulfill their nutritional needs. They harness the sunlight, carbon dioxide and water and produce organic matter along with oxygen.
The heterotrophs are the organisms that feed on these autotrophs and other heterotrophs to fulfill their nutritional needs.
The heterotrophs are further divided into 3 main types according to the type of heterotrophic nutrition they survive on. They are:
1. Herbivore
2. Carnivore
3. Omnivore
The herbivores are the group of organisms that feed on green plants, their leaves, fruits, etc. The mode of nutrition is herbivorous. Examples: Cow, Buffaloes, Squirrels, etc.
The carnivores are the group of organisms that feed on other animals. The mode of nutrition is carnivorous. Examples: Lion, tiger, etc.
The Omnivores feed on both plants and animals. Majority of the heterotrophs fall under this category. Examples: Humans, monkeys, etc.

Note:
It should be noted in mind that the word herbivore does not necessarily mean that the animals falling under this category feed on herbs! The herbivores basically feed on small plants, most of the time grasses and other plants that are short in height. They also feed on the leaves of trees like giraffes. The act of eating grasses growing in a field is known as grazing, which is mainly done by the cows, buffaloes, sheep, etc.