fruiteater

Fruiteater is an informal term used to describe an animal that consumes primarily fruit. In scientific writing, the preferred terms are frugivore or frugivorous, while fruiteater is a descriptive label more common in field guides and casual descriptions. Fruiteaters may rely almost exclusively on fruit (obligate frugivores) or supplement fruit with other foods such as nectar, seeds, insects, or leaves (facultative frugivores).

The term covers a broad taxonomic range, including mammals, birds, and some reptiles. Notable examples include fruit bats (family Pteropodidae), which often feed on fruit; various birds such as toucans, macaws, and hornbills; and several primates that eat significant amounts of fruit. In many ecosystems, fruiteaters play a crucial ecological role as seed dispersers, helping to move and germinate seeds after ingestion or caching, thereby contributing to plant regeneration and diversity.

In human contexts, frugivores can be important for maintaining healthy ecosystems but may also become crop pests in agricultural areas, feeding on cultivated fruits. Management approaches in such cases aim to balance wildlife conservation with farmer needs. Overall, fruiteater is not a taxonomic group but a descriptive term that highlights a dietary habit shared by diverse species across different habitats. See also frugivory for a more technical discussion of fruit-eating diets.