How is the general diet of woodrats classified relative to plant and animal matter?
Answer
Primarily herbivores that occasionally supplement with animal protein
Although woodrats are generally categorized as omnivores due to their ability to consume both flora and fauna, their dietary emphasis is overwhelmingly placed on plant material. The bulk of their caloric and nutritional intake comes from items like seeds, nuts, grasses, and bark. Animal matter, which constitutes an opportunistic protein intake, is consumed in small percentages. This animal supplementation, which can include insects, snails, or small vertebrates, is often sought out to fulfill specific nutritional requirements, particularly supporting periods of rapid growth or reproduction, rather than forming the foundational structure of their daily meals.
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