What opportunistic consumption behavior places warthogs on the line between herbivore and omnivore?
Answer
Eating insects, carrion, and small animal young
The distinction between calling the warthog a strict herbivore or a facultative omnivore arises because they will occasionally supplement their plant-based diet with animal protein. This opportunistic scavenging behavior includes the consumption of insects, such as grasshoppers or larval insects, carrion, and even the offspring of other small animals if the opportunity arises. While this carnivorous activity is secondary and employed mainly during scarcity or when a high-protein meal is easily obtained, its occurrence confirms their practical flexibility and moves them away from a purely herbivorous classification in the wild context.
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