omnivorinen

Omnivorinen is an adjective used in biology to describe an organism that consumes both plant and animal matter. The term derives from Latin omni- “all” and vorare “to devour,” corresponding to the English word omnivorous. In some languages, such as Finnish, omnivorinen is the standard form used to describe this feeding strategy.

Omnivory is widely distributed across the animal kingdom. Examples include many mammals (humans, bears, raccoons, pigs), several birds (crows, chickens), various fish, and a range of invertebrates. Some species are omnivorous throughout life, while others are opportunistic, altering their diet with season, resource availability, or developmental stage. In some cases, omnivory coexists with more specialized feeding habits at different life stages or in different populations.

Ecologically, omnivory provides dietary flexibility that can help individuals cope with fluctuations in food supply and can influence food-web dynamics by linking trophic levels. This flexibility may stabilize populations but can also lead to competition with specialist feeders when resources are limited.

Physiologically, omnivores often have generalized dentition and digestive systems capable of processing a variety of foods, including plant materials rich in polysaccharides and animal proteins. Enzymatic and microbial adaptations support diverse diets and can vary substantially among species.

In humans, omnivory is a defining dietary trait, shaped by culture, technology, and ecology. As a common feeding strategy, it affects nutrition, foraging behavior, and ecological interactions, informing studies in nutrition, anthropology, and wildlife management.