What do animals eat?

Animals eat because food helps them live. Cows munch grass. Birds peck seeds and bugs. Lions eat meat. Pets eat food from bowls.

Animals eat many different foods. They eat because food helps their bodies move, grow, and stay healthy, like your snack helps you run and play. Some animals eat plants, like grass, leaves, fruit, or seeds. Some eat other animals, like bugs, fish, or meat. Some animals eat both.

Animals eat what gives their bodies energy to live. Herbivores eat plants, carnivores eat other animals, and omnivores eat both. Their teeth, beaks, claws, and stomachs help them get and use their food. A cow has flat teeth for grinding grass, while a lion has sharp teeth for tearing meat. Fun fact: a blue whale, the biggest animal on Earth, eats tiny animals called krill.