why do animals not have to eat fruits and vegetables, but we do?

Question

animals can eat only meat and are totally fine - lions, for example only eat meat. but if we only ate meat, we would not have enough nutrients - we have to eat fruits and vegetables. we have to get protein. where do animals get their protein, and how come they can only eat meat and we can't?

Answer 1

Their digestive systems are different.

Answer 2

Many animals do have to eat fruits and vegetables. They are called hebivores and omnivores. Some animals, carnivores, only eat meat. This depends on how the species evolved. Did it evolved to steal nutrients from other animals and get all of its nourishment that way (carnivores)? Did it evolve to eat only the plants, and thus be a meal for all of those carnivores (herbivores)? Or did it evolve to be able to eat most anything that provides calories (omnivores)? We humans fit in that third category, and in order for our bodies to survive we need some protien, some carbohydrates, some fruits and vegetables.

Answer 3

not all animals eat meat and not all eat vegetables. some eat both. we humans have to eat both to have enough supply of nutrients. as for lions lions only live for 13 years and they do not know how to cook. well, if they know then maybe they will eat vegetables too.

Answer 4

different animals eat different things...some are carnivourous, meaning they eat mostly meat, others are herbivores, they eat only vegetation, no meat, and others like humans are omnivores meaning we eat vegeatbles, meat, etc. Different digestive systems allow us to need different things. Cats are the truest carnivores there are. Even wild dogs eat lots of fruit to survive.

Answer 5

There are omnivores, carnivores, and herbivores...these different types of animals need different nutrients for survival. We happen to be omnivores (our bodies function best when we eat both plants and animals). Lions are Carnivores - they only need meat. And deer are herbivores - a plant diet is all they need to live.

Answer 6

Well, when ancient cave people ate, it was often meat. They lived to be around the age of 20-25. We adapted agriculture, and started living to around 30-35, and so on.

Our housepets (cats and dogs) eat food that is full of rice and vegetables with meat flavoring. They would *never* eat like this in the wild, but it doubles their lifespan.

Answer 7

Fact is, most animals are herbivors (as opposed to carnivors). What kind(s) of meat do you suppose deers, cows, and rabbits eat?

And, even among the carnivors, the stomach contents of their prey (which are usually herbivors) contain large quantities of grasses along with some fruits and vegetables and these are eaten as well.


Doug

Answer 8

Because we are human beings.

Different animals have different sizes, engage in different activities, live in different environments, and have a different muscular mass. Hence, they have different protein requirements.

A healthy diet for a human being consists in lots of variety. Not just vegetables, and not just meat, but a bit of all.

Answer 9

it's called the evolution process, each animal species including us humans( well in my case) has evolved to eat certian types of foods, if we all ate the same foods we would all be fighting for survival, each animal species has been adopted to eat only certain types of foods, if you know about the chimps in africa they do eat meat a they need protien as well and they are our closest ancestors.

Answer 10

Different animals evolved with different digestive systems to make
use of different food sources...
Some are omnivores ( humans included )
Some are carnivores ( lions )
Some are herbivores. ( cows )

Answer 11

Because we are a more sophisticated species . Many animals have chemicals that produce certain nutrients too.