Why is Orycteropus afer classified as a carnivore despite consuming only insects?

Answer

In biological terms, an animal whose diet consists solely of insects falls under the carnivore umbrella as insects constitute animal matter.

The classification of the aardvark as a carnivore, specifically an insectivore, hinges on the strict biological definition of its food source rather than the common perception associated with the term. While many people associate carnivores with mammals that hunt and consume vertebrates, in a broader biological context, any diet exclusively composed of animal matter qualifies. Since ants and termites are insects, they are categorized as animal matter, placing the aardvark within the carnivore classification. The text explicitly states that they are decisively not omnivores, confirming the exclusion of plant matter from their regular nutritional intake, cementing their dependence on this animal-based diet.

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