What opportunistic dietary supplement might a woodrat occasionally consume, despite being primarily herbivores?
Answer
Insects
While the woodrat diet is fundamentally herbivorous, relying heavily on seeds, nuts, fruits, berries, and moisture derived from cactus pulp in arid regions, they are not strictly vegetarian. The text confirms that they occasionally supplement their primary plant-based diet by consuming insects. This opportunistic consumption shows a slight degree of omnivory in their foraging strategy. Observing the waste material near their middens, such as the ratio of seed husks to other materials, can give observers clues about the success of their herbivorous foraging versus the occasional opportunistic capture.
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