hypocarnivores

Hypocarnivore is a term used in ecology and nutrition to describe a consumer whose diet consists primarily of plant matter with only a modest contribution from animal tissue. In many classifications, hypocarnivores obtain less than about 30% of their dietary energy from animal sources, though thresholds vary among authors. This places them toward the plant-heavy end of the carnivory spectrum, opposite hypercarnivores, which rely mainly on meat, and mesocarnivores, with a mixed diet.

Diet and foraging: Hypocarnivores feed on fruits, seeds, leaves, stems, roots, and other non-animal foods; they may supplement with insects, eggs, carrion, or small vertebrates on occasion.

Physiology and morphology: The digestive and dental anatomy of hypocarnivores tends toward processing plant material. They often have broader molars or premolars for grinding, and longer digestive tracts; gut microbiota may be adapted to ferment cellulose rather than maximizing protein digestion.

Examples: In mammals, hypocarnivory is common among omnivores and frugivores; examples include several bear species, some primates, and many marsupials.

Ecology and evolution: Hypocarnivores often play roles in seed dispersal and plant community dynamics through their fruit- and seed-based diets. Because their food base depends on vegetation, they can be vulnerable to habitat loss, deforestation, and changes in plant composition.

See also: hypercarnivore, mesocarnivore, omnivore.