The 12 Most Relevant Insect-Eating Animals

Some of the  animals that eat insects  include the bat, the armadillo, the porcupine and the lazy bear. These animals are called insectivores, since their diet is based only on insects.

One of the most interesting aspects of insectivores is that they can be animals as big as an anteater and still feed on insects as small as ants.

The most prominent animals that eat insects

1- Bat

Within the order of bats there are around 1,100 species, of which 70% have a diet based solely on insects.

These mammals are also called Chiropterans and inhabit all continents except Antarctica.

2- Anteater

This animal has a body very different from many mammals.

Its robust body presents a very long snout, without teeth, and with a very developed sense of smell. This allows you to get your food more easily.

3- Porcupine

The porcupine is a rodent with a barbed coat that can be found both in America and in Europe, Asia and Africa.

In America, five genres of porcupines are obtained, while in the other continents there are only four genera.

4- Armadillo

The armadillo is a mammal that is recognized by its particular dorsal shell, made up of bony layers that serve as protection.

This frame can be used in some cases to roll up and protect itself in a spherical shell.

5- Moon rat

This species is also recognized as a gymnast. It has a black color throughout its fur, except for the head and tail.

However, full-bodied white moon rats can be found.

6- frog

The frogs’ diet ranges from smaller vertebrate animals , such as rats and arachnids, to invertebrate species such as insects.

In fact, these animals have a long tongue that allows them to hunt small prey quickly.

7- Mole

Moles are recognized for living underground in tunnels dug by themselves.

Their long claws allow them to dig quickly and easily into the ground. They lead an underground life, which makes them safe from any threat.

8- Lazy bear

The lazy bear, named for its lazy-man-like attitude, is a solitary animal that is generally active at night.

At this time, the lazy bear seeks to feed predominantly on ants and termites.

9- Shrew

Shrews are mammals much like mice. They differ from these in that they are not rodents and that they have a muzzle much longer than a mouse.

Genetically, the shrew is related to hedgehogs.

10- Tenrec

This is a mammal that can be found predominantly in Madagascar. It is active at night and tends to be lonely.

It is a very curious animal, not only for its colors and appearance, but for its way of living.

The tenrec can reproduce up to 32 young in mating season. In addition, it has spines on its back that it uses to communicate with its young through ultrasounds generated by rubbing them.

These spikes are also used to spread poisons. This makes it one of the 13 poisonous mammals worldwide.

11- Chameleon

This peculiarly characteristic reptile bases its diet mainly on the intake of other insects such as crickets, flies, mosquitoes or grasshoppers. To hunt them, you just have to stand at a certain distance from their prey and use your long sticky tongue to bring them to your mouth.

Interestingly, chameleons that live in homes as pets can suffer from obesity, since their devouring instinct is infinite and if the owner does not manage his daily ration of insects, he could have digestive or weight problems.

12- Praying mantis

This is a case of insects that preys on other insects. The mantis lives in Europe, Africa, Asia and some areas of North America, being known because the female kills the male to devour him once he fertilizes her.

In turn, this wide-eyed, saw-footed insect is capable of hunting other, even larger, insects. In fact, cases of mantises have been reported to have hunted rodents or lizards.

 

by Abdullah Sam
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