2.1.1

The Need for Food

Test yourself

The Food of Animals

All animals, including humans, need enough food and water to live. We also all need to eat the right kinds of food to stay healthy.

Illustrative background for Food for animalsIllustrative background for Food for animals ?? "content

Food for animals

  • Animals (including humans) cannot make their own food in the same way plants can.
    • Animals get their food by eating plants or other animals.
Illustrative background for DietIllustrative background for Diet ?? "content

Diet

  • All the things that an animal eats are called its 'diet'.
    • A good diet has all the nutrition that is needed to live, grow, move and be healthy.
    • Nutrition is what animals get from food to make their bodies work properly.
  • Different types of animals need different diets.
Illustrative background for Vegetarians and vegansIllustrative background for Vegetarians and vegans ?? "content

Vegetarians and vegans

  • Some humans choose to not eat meat.
    • Humans are still omnivores even though some of us choose not to eat meat.
  • A person who does not eat anything from an animal (e.g meat, milk, eggs) is a vegan.
Illustrative background for Food for different animalsIllustrative background for Food for different animals ?? "content

Food for different animals

  • Some foods that we eat are not good for your pets or other animals.
    • Cow’s milk is bad for most other animals.
    • Chocolate and grapes are poisonous to dogs.
    • Too much bread is not healthy for ducks and other birds.
    • Sweets are bad for most animals.

The Diets of Different Animals

All the things that an animal eats are called its 'diet'. A good diet has all the nutrition that is needed to live, grow, move and be healthy. Different types of animals need different diets.

Illustrative background for CarnivoresIllustrative background for Carnivores ?? "content

Carnivores

  • Carnivores are animals that only eat meat.
    • A cat is an example of a carnivore.
Illustrative background for HerbivoresIllustrative background for Herbivores ?? "content

Herbivores

  • Herbivores are animals that only eat plants.
    • A horse is an example of a herbivore.
Illustrative background for OmnivoresIllustrative background for Omnivores ?? "content

Omnivores

  • Omnivores are animals that eat plants and animals.
    • Badgers are omnivores.
    • Humans are omnivores.

Jump to other topics

1Year 3: Plants

2Year 3: Animals (Including Humans)

3Year 3: Rocks

3.1Rocks on Earth

4Year 3: Light

5Year 3: Forces & Magnets

6Year 4: Living Things & Their Habitats

7Year 4: Animals, Including Humans

8Year 4: States of Matter

9Year 4: Sound

10Year 4: Electricity

Unlock your full potential with Seneca Premium

  • Unlimited access to 10,000+ open-ended exam questions

  • Mini-mock exams based on your study history

  • Unlock 800+ premium courses & e-books

Get started with Seneca Premium