Year 1 Science What Animals Eat: worked examples and questions with answers
By the end of this chapter you will be able to
- Say what a carnivore, a herbivore and an omnivore eats
- Sort animals into carnivores, herbivores and omnivores
- Name common animals in each group, including some pets
- Say what legs, wings, fins and tails help an animal to do
- Say what beaks and shells are for
- Compare the body parts of two animals
You should already know
- Animal groups: fish, birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians (Chapter 4)
- Names of common pets and garden animals (Reception)
- Which body parts we use to see and to smell (Reception)
Where this leads
- My body and my senses (Chapter 6)
National Curriculum for England, Key Stage 1 science, Year 1. Content: Identify and name common animals that are carnivores, herbivores and omnivores, Describe and compare the structure of common animals: legs, wings, fins, tails, beaks and shells, Describe the body parts and food of common pets.
- 5.1 Three kinds of eaters: Worksheet (PDF) · Answers (PDF) · lesson page
- 5.2 Carnivores: meat-eaters: Worksheet (PDF) · Answers (PDF) · lesson page
- 5.3 Herbivores: plant-eaters: Worksheet (PDF) · Answers (PDF) · lesson page
- 5.4 Omnivores: eaters of both: Worksheet (PDF) · Answers (PDF) · lesson page
- 5.5 Legs, wings, fins and tails: Worksheet (PDF) · Answers (PDF) · lesson page
- 5.6 Beaks and shells: Worksheet (PDF) · Answers (PDF) · lesson page
- Check-up and end-of-chapter quiz: Worksheet (PDF) · Answers (PDF) · lesson page
Exercise P Do you remember?
Key words. A herbivore eats only plants. A carnivore eats only other animals. An omnivore eats plants and animals.
Method. Count the legs on the cow.
- Look at the legs. Count each leg once.front legs: 2, back legs: 2
- Add them together. Two front legs and two back legs make four.2 + 2 = 4
- Write the answer. 4
Check. Count them one at a time: 1, 2, 3, 4. ✓
Watch out. Count the back legs too. Do not stop at the front ones.
Key words. A herbivore eats only plants. A carnivore eats only other animals. An omnivore eats plants and animals.
Method. Think about where each animal lives.
- Look at each animal. A cat and a dog live on land.cat: land, dog: land
- Find the animal with fins. A fish lives in water and has fins to swim with.fish: water and fins
- Write the answer. fish
Check. Fins help a fish to swim in the water. ✓
Watch out. Fins are for swimming. A cat or a dog does not have fins.
Key words. A herbivore eats only plants. A carnivore eats only other animals. An omnivore eats plants and animals.
Method. Think about the body part you use for smelling.
- Think about your face. Your eyes see and your ears hear.eyes see, ears hear
- Find the part for smelling. You smell with the part in the middle of your face.smell = nose
- Write the answer. nose
Check. Sniff a flower with a grown-up and say which body part you used. ✓
Watch out. Eyes are for seeing, not for smelling.
Key words. A herbivore eats only plants. A carnivore eats only other animals. An omnivore eats plants and animals.
Method. Think about the sound each pet makes.
- Think about a dog. A dog says woof.dog: woof
- Think about a cat. A cat says miaow.cat: miaow
- Write the answer. cat
Check. Say both sounds out loud and listen to them. ✓
Watch out. A dog says woof. A cat says miaow.
Key words. A herbivore eats only plants. A carnivore eats only other animals. An omnivore eats plants and animals.
Method. Think about birds that visit gardens.
- Think about gardens. Birds fly into gardens to find food.garden birds
- Pick one bird you know. A robin has a red chest and is often seen in British gardens.robin
- Write the answer. Robin
Check. Any garden bird you know is a good answer. ✓
Watch out. A bird that flies is not always a garden bird. Think about where you see it.
Three kinds of eaters
Printable: Worksheet (PDF) · Answers (PDF) · Open this lesson on its own page
Animals eat different foods. What an animal eats tells us which group it is in.
A herbivore eats only plants. A carnivore eats only other animals. An omnivore eats plants and animals.
Pets are animals too. These five pets are common in British homes.
Key ideas
- A herbivore eats only plants.
- A carnivore eats only other animals.
- An omnivore eats plants and animals.
- What an animal eats tells us its group.
Key words. A herbivore eats only plants. A carnivore eats only other animals. An omnivore eats plants and animals.
Method. Look at what a cow eats, then use the rule for each group.
- Look at the food. Ask: is it a plant, an animal, or both?A cow eats grass. Grass is a plant.
- Use the rule. A herbivore eats only plants.A cow eats only plants.
- Write the group. herbivore
Check. Say the rule back: a herbivore eats only plants. ✓
Watch out. Look at the food, not the size. A big animal can still eat only plants.
Key words. A herbivore eats only plants. A carnivore eats only other animals. An omnivore eats plants and animals.
Method. Look at what a hen eats, then use the rule for each group.
- Look at the food. Ask: is it a plant, an animal, or both?A hen eats seeds, which are plants, and worms, which are animals.
- Use the rule. An omnivore eats both plants and animals.A hen eats both plants and animals.
- Write the group. omnivore
Check. Say the rule back: an omnivore eats both plants and animals. ✓
Watch out. Look at the food, not the size. A big animal can still eat only plants.
Key words. A herbivore eats only plants. A carnivore eats only other animals. An omnivore eats plants and animals.
Method. Look at what a lion eats, then use the rule for each group.
- Look at the food. Ask: is it a plant, an animal, or both?A lion eats zebras and other animals.
- Use the rule. A carnivore eats only other animals.A lion eats only other animals.
- Write the group. carnivore
Check. Say the rule back: a carnivore eats only other animals. ✓
Watch out. Look at the food, not the size. A big animal can still eat only plants.
Watch out
Watch out: a big or fierce animal can still be a herbivore. A horse is big, but it eats only plants. Check the food, not the size.
Try it at home
With a grown-up, look at the food in your kitchen. Sort six foods into two piles. One pile is from plants: for example, an apple, a carrot or bread. The other pile is from animals: for example, an egg, cheese or fish. Wash your hands before and after you handle food.
Exam tip
Grown-up tip. Ask your child: “Is that food from a plant or an animal?” Then ask: “What does a rabbit eat? What does a cat eat?” Use the pets in the picture to talk about it.
Exercise 5A Herbivores, carnivores and omnivores
Key words. A herbivore eats only plants. A carnivore eats only other animals. An omnivore eats plants and animals.
Method. Remember the rule for a herbivore.
- Find the group word. The question names the group.herbivore
- Remember what it eats. A herbivore eats only plants.Herbivore: eats only plants
- Write the answer. plants
Check. Read the rule back to yourself: a herbivore eats only plants. ✓
Watch out. Read the whole rule, so you do not miss a word.
Key words. A herbivore eats only plants. A carnivore eats only other animals. An omnivore eats plants and animals.
Method. Remember the rule for a carnivore.
- Find the group word. The question names the group.carnivore
- Remember what it eats. A carnivore eats only other animals.Carnivore: eats only other animals
- Write the answer. animals
Check. Read the rule back to yourself: a carnivore eats only other animals. ✓
Watch out. Read the whole rule, so you do not miss a word.
Key words. A herbivore eats only plants. A carnivore eats only other animals. An omnivore eats plants and animals.
Method. Remember the rule for an omnivore.
- Find the group word. The question names the group.omnivore
- Remember what it eats. An omnivore eats both plants and animals.Omnivore: eats both plants and animals
- Write the answer. plants and animals
Check. Read the rule back to yourself: an omnivore eats both plants and animals. ✓
Watch out. Read the whole rule, so you do not miss a word.
Key words. A herbivore eats only plants. A carnivore eats only other animals. An omnivore eats plants and animals.
Method. Look at what a cow eats, then use the rule for each group.
- Look at the food. Ask: is it a plant, an animal, or both?A cow eats grass.
- Use the rule. A herbivore eats only plants.A cow eats only plants.
- Write the group. herbivore
Check. Say the rule back: a herbivore eats only plants. ✓
Watch out. Look at the food, not the size. A big animal can still eat only plants.
Key words. A herbivore eats only plants. A carnivore eats only other animals. An omnivore eats plants and animals.
Method. Look at what a lion eats, then use the rule for each group.
- Look at the food. Ask: is it a plant, an animal, or both?A lion eats zebras and other animals.
- Use the rule. A carnivore eats only other animals.A lion eats only other animals.
- Write the group. carnivore
Check. Say the rule back: a carnivore eats only other animals. ✓
Watch out. Look at the food, not the size. A big animal can still eat only plants.
Key words. A herbivore eats only plants. A carnivore eats only other animals. An omnivore eats plants and animals.
Method. Look at what a pig eats, then use the rule for each group.
- Look at the food. Ask: is it a plant, an animal, or both?A pig eats roots, plants and some small animals.
- Use the rule. An omnivore eats both plants and animals.A pig eats both plants and animals.
- Write the group. omnivore
Check. Say the rule back: an omnivore eats both plants and animals. ✓
Watch out. Look at the food, not the size. A big animal can still eat only plants.
Key words. A herbivore eats only plants. A carnivore eats only other animals. An omnivore eats plants and animals.
Method. Check what each animal eats.
- Look at each animal. Find out what it eats.owl: mice; cow: grass; cat: meat
- Pick the plant-eater. A herbivore eats only plants, so it is the one that eats grass.cow eats grass
- Write the answer. cow
Check. The owl and the cat both eat other animals. ✓
Watch out. An owl and a cat are carnivores.
Key words. A herbivore eats only plants. A carnivore eats only other animals. An omnivore eats plants and animals.
Method. Check what a cow eats.
- Look at the food. A cow eats grass.grass = plant
- Use the rule. A carnivore eats only other animals, so a cow is not one.grass is not an animal
- Write the answer. False
Check. A cow is a herbivore. ✓
Watch out. Grass is a plant, so a cow is a herbivore.
Key words. A herbivore eats only plants. A carnivore eats only other animals. An omnivore eats plants and animals.
Method. Look at each pet and what it eats.
- Think about the dog. A dog eats meat and plants.meat and plants
- Use the rule. It eats both, so it is an omnivore.dog = omnivore
- Write the answer. dog
Check. The cat eats only meat, so it is a carnivore. ✓
Watch out. Look for a pet that eats both plants and animals.
Key words. A herbivore eats only plants. A carnivore eats only other animals. An omnivore eats plants and animals.
Method. Look at each pet and what it eats.
- Find the plant-eaters. A herbivore eats only plants.rabbit, guinea pig, tortoise
- Check the others. The dog eats both, and the cat eats only meat.dog and cat are not herbivores
- Write the answer. rabbit, guinea pig and tortoise
Check. These three pets eat only plants. ✓
Watch out. A pet that eats meat is not a herbivore.
Key words. A herbivore eats only plants. A carnivore eats only other animals. An omnivore eats plants and animals.
Method. Look at what each animal eats.
- Sort them. Cow, sheep and rabbit eat plants.cow, sheep, rabbit = herbivores
- Find the one that is different. A lion eats other animals, so it is different.lion = carnivore
- Write the answer. lion. It is a carnivore, and the others are herbivores.
Check. Three of the four eat only plants. ✓
Watch out. Look at the food, not the size or the fur.
Key words. A herbivore eats only plants. A carnivore eats only other animals. An omnivore eats plants and animals.
Method. How could we find out?
- Find out what it eats. We look at its food, or at a reliable book, with a grown-up.seeds and vegetables
- Think about the rule. Size does not tell us the group. A hamster eats plants and some animals.a hamster is an omnivore
- Write the answer. Look at what it eats. A hamster is an omnivore, so Jack is not right.
Check. Ask a grown-up to help you find a reliable book or website. ✓
Watch out. Do not decide the group from the size of an animal.
Carnivores: meat-eaters
Printable: Worksheet (PDF) · Answers (PDF) · Open this lesson on its own page
A carnivore eats only other animals. Many carnivores eat meat or fish.
A lion eats zebras. An owl eats mice. A pet cat eats food made from meat or fish. A frog eats insects.
Carnivores often have sharp, pointed teeth. These help them to hold and tear their food.
Key ideas
- A carnivore eats only other animals.
- Many carnivores eat meat or fish.
- Carnivores often have sharp, pointed teeth.
- A frog is a carnivore, because it eats insects.
Key words. A herbivore eats only plants. A carnivore eats only other animals. An omnivore eats plants and animals.
Method. Look at what a lion eats, then use the rule for each group.
- Look at the food. Ask: is it a plant, an animal, or both?A lion eats zebras and other animals.
- Use the rule. A carnivore eats only other animals.A lion eats only other animals.
- Write the group. carnivore
Check. Say the rule back: a carnivore eats only other animals. ✓
Watch out. Look at the food, not the size. A big animal can still eat only plants.
Key words. A herbivore eats only plants. A carnivore eats only other animals. An omnivore eats plants and animals.
Method. Look at what an owl eats, then use the rule for each group.
- Look at the food. Ask: is it a plant, an animal, or both?An owl eats mice, which are animals.
- Use the rule. A carnivore eats only other animals.An owl eats only other animals.
- Write the group. carnivore
Check. Say the rule back: a carnivore eats only other animals. ✓
Watch out. Look at the food, not the size. A big animal can still eat only plants.
Key words. A herbivore eats only plants. A carnivore eats only other animals. An omnivore eats plants and animals.
Method. Think about what each kind of tooth is for.
- Look at the question. We want the teeth that tear meat.meat = tear
- Think about each kind. Sharp, pointed teeth hold and tear. Flat teeth grind plants.sharp = tear; flat = grind
- Write the answer. sharp teeth
Check. A cat has sharp teeth at the front. ✓
Watch out. Flat teeth are for grinding plants, not for tearing meat.
Watch out
Watch out: a frog is small, but it is still a carnivore. It eats insects, and insects are animals.
Try it at home
With a grown-up, look at the packet of food for a pet cat. Find the words for meat or fish, such as chicken or tuna. Tell a grown-up what you found.
Exam tip
Grown-up tip. Ask: “What is a carnivore?” Let your child find the meat or fish words on the packet. Talk about why a cat needs meat, and why its teeth are sharp.
Exercise 5B Carnivores
Key words. A herbivore eats only plants. A carnivore eats only other animals. An omnivore eats plants and animals.
Method. Think about the teeth that hold and tear.
- Look at the gap. It asks which teeth tear meat.holding and tearing
- Choose the teeth. Sharp, pointed teeth hold and tear.sharp = tear
- Write the answer. sharp
Check. Flat teeth are for grinding plants. ✓
Watch out. Flat teeth are not for tearing meat.
Key words. A herbivore eats only plants. A carnivore eats only other animals. An omnivore eats plants and animals.
Method. Check what each animal eats.
- Look at the cow. A cow eats grass.cow: grass
- Look at the lion. A lion eats zebras, which are animals.lion: zebras
- Write the answer. lion
Check. The cow is a herbivore. ✓
Watch out. Choose the animal that eats other animals.
Key words. A herbivore eats only plants. A carnivore eats only other animals. An omnivore eats plants and animals.
Method. Check what a frog eats.
- Look at the food. A frog eats insects.insects = animals
- Use the rule. A carnivore eats only other animals, and insects are animals.frog = carnivore
- Write the answer. True
Check. A frog eats no plants. ✓
Watch out. A frog is a carnivore, even though it is small.
Key words. A herbivore eats only plants. A carnivore eats only other animals. An omnivore eats plants and animals.
Method. Think about the pets and what they eat.
- Think about each pet. A dog eats meat and plants. A rabbit eats only plants.dog: both; rabbit: plants
- Find a pet that eats only animals. A cat eats only meat or fish, so it is a carnivore.cat = carnivore
- Write the answer. cat
Check. A cat is a carnivore. ✓
Watch out. A dog is not a carnivore, because it eats plants too.
Key words. A herbivore eats only plants. A carnivore eats only other animals. An omnivore eats plants and animals.
Method. Find the carnivores in the list. Check what each animal eats.
- Look at each animal. Find out what it eats.lion: carnivore; cow: herbivore; shark: carnivore; rabbit: herbivore
- Pick out the carnivores. Keep only the animals that are carnivores.lion, shark
- Write the answer. lion and shark
Check. Check each one: the carnivores eat eats only other animals. ✓
Watch out. Do not pick an animal because it looks fierce. Check the food.
Key words. A herbivore eats only plants. A carnivore eats only other animals. An omnivore eats plants and animals.
Method. Think about the owl’s food.
- Look at the owl. An owl is a carnivore.owl = carnivore
- Find what it eats. Owls hunt small animals such as mice.mice
- Write the answer. mice
Check. Mice are animals. ✓
Watch out. Owls eat animals, not plants.
Key words. A herbivore eats only plants. A carnivore eats only other animals. An omnivore eats plants and animals.
Method. Think about the shark’s food.
- Look at the shark. A shark is a carnivore.shark = carnivore
- Find what it eats. Sharks eat fish and other sea animals.fish
- Write the answer. fish
Check. Fish are animals. ✓
Watch out. Where a shark lives does not tell us its food.
Key words. A herbivore eats only plants. A carnivore eats only other animals. An omnivore eats plants and animals.
Method. Think about the frog’s food.
- Look at the frog. A frog is a carnivore.frog = carnivore
- Find what it eats. Frogs eat insects.insects
- Write the answer. insects
Check. Insects are animals. ✓
Watch out. Insects are animals, so a frog is a carnivore.
Key words. A herbivore eats only plants. A carnivore eats only other animals. An omnivore eats plants and animals.
Method. Check what a shark eats.
- Look at the food. A shark eats fish and other sea animals.fish = animals
- Use the rule. A herbivore eats only plants, so a shark is not one.shark = carnivore
- Write the answer. No. A shark eats fish, so it is a carnivore.
Check. Where an animal lives does not tell us what it eats. ✓
Watch out. Where an animal lives does not tell us its group.
Key words. A herbivore eats only plants. A carnivore eats only other animals. An omnivore eats plants and animals.
Method. Find the carnivores, then count them.
- Look at each animal. A carnivore eats only other animals.cat, owl and lion are carnivores
- Count them. Touch each one once: cat, owl, lion.1 cat, 2 owl, 3 lion
- Write the answer. 3 carnivores
Check. The rabbit and the sheep are herbivores. ✓
Watch out. Do not count the rabbit or the sheep.
Key words. A herbivore eats only plants. A carnivore eats only other animals. An omnivore eats plants and animals.
Method. Look at what each animal in the picture eats.
- Think about each one. Lion: zebras. Cat: meat. Owl: mice. Shark: fish. Frog: insects.five carnivores
- Find the one that eats insects. Only the frog eats insects.frog = insects
- Write the answer. frog
Check. Insects are small animals, so the frog is a carnivore. ✓
Watch out. Look for the food, not the picture alone.
Key words. A herbivore eats only plants. A carnivore eats only other animals. An omnivore eats plants and animals.
Method. Think about what sharp teeth are for.
- Look at the teeth. They are sharp and pointed.sharp, pointed
- Think about the food. Pointed teeth grip the meat, so the animal can tear it into pieces.hold and tear meat
- Write the answer. Sharp teeth help it to hold and tear meat.
Check. Flat teeth would not tear meat well. ✓
Watch out. Sharp teeth are for tearing meat. Flat teeth are for grinding plants.
Key words. A herbivore eats only plants. A carnivore eats only other animals. An omnivore eats plants and animals.
Method. Think about what a cat eats and what it needs.
- Look at the food. Carrots are plants.carrot = plant
- Think about the cat. A cat is a carnivore, so it needs meat or fish to stay healthy.cat needs meat
- Write the answer. It would not get the meat or fish it needs, so it would not stay healthy.
Check. Always ask a grown-up or a vet what a pet should eat. ✓
Watch out. Never guess what a pet should eat.
Herbivores: plant-eaters
Printable: Worksheet (PDF) · Answers (PDF) · Open this lesson on its own page
A herbivore eats only plants. It eats grass, leaves, hay and vegetables.
Many herbivores have flat teeth at the back. They grind up tough plants before they swallow them.
Key ideas
- A herbivore eats only plants.
- Grass, leaves, hay and vegetables are plants.
- Many herbivores have flat teeth for grinding plants.
- A horse and a sheep are herbivores too.
Key words. A herbivore eats only plants. A carnivore eats only other animals. An omnivore eats plants and animals.
Method. Look at what a rabbit eats, then use the rule for each group.
- Look at the food. Ask: is it a plant, an animal, or both?A rabbit eats grass, leaves and hay.
- Use the rule. A herbivore eats only plants.A rabbit eats only plants.
- Write the group. herbivore
Check. Say the rule back: a herbivore eats only plants. ✓
Watch out. Look at the food, not the size. A big animal can still eat only plants.
Key words. A herbivore eats only plants. A carnivore eats only other animals. An omnivore eats plants and animals.
Method. Think about what grinding needs.
- Look at the question. We want the teeth that grind plants.grind plants
- Think about each kind. Flat teeth grind. Sharp teeth hold and tear meat.flat = grind
- Write the answer. flat teeth
Check. Flat back teeth are wide, so they can grind. ✓
Watch out. Sharp teeth are for holding meat, not for grinding plants.
Key words. A herbivore eats only plants. A carnivore eats only other animals. An omnivore eats plants and animals.
Method. Look at what a tortoise eats, then use the rule for each group.
- Look at the food. Ask: is it a plant, an animal, or both?A tortoise eats grass, leaves and other plants.
- Use the rule. A herbivore eats only plants.A tortoise eats only plants.
- Write the group. herbivore
Check. Say the rule back: a herbivore eats only plants. ✓
Watch out. Look at the food, not the size. A big animal can still eat only plants.
Watch out
Watch out: a herbivore never eats meat or fish. Fruit and vegetables are plants, so a rabbit that eats carrots is still a herbivore.
Try it at home
With a grown-up, watch a pet rabbit or guinea pig eat its hay or vegetables. Stay outside its cage or hutch. Write down what it eats. Wash your hands after you touch its food or bedding.
Exam tip
Grown-up tip. Ask your child: “What does it eat? Is that food a plant?” Talk about grass: it is a plant that a cow eats in a field.
Exercise 5C Herbivores
Key words. A herbivore eats only plants. A carnivore eats only other animals. An omnivore eats plants and animals.
Method. Remember the rule for a herbivore.
- Find the group word. The question names the group.herbivore
- Remember what it eats. A herbivore eats only plants.Herbivore: eats only plants
- Write the answer. plants
Check. Read the rule back to yourself: a herbivore eats only plants. ✓
Watch out. Read the whole rule, so you do not miss a word.
Key words. A herbivore eats only plants. A carnivore eats only other animals. An omnivore eats plants and animals.
Method. Check what each animal eats.
- Look at each animal. Find out what it eats.lion: zebras; sheep: grass; shark: fish
- Pick the plant-eater. A sheep eats grass, which is a plant.sheep = herbivore
- Write the answer. sheep
Check. The lion and the shark are carnivores. ✓
Watch out. A sheep is a herbivore.
Key words. A herbivore eats only plants. A carnivore eats only other animals. An omnivore eats plants and animals.
Method. Check what a rabbit eats.
- Look at the food. A rabbit eats grass, leaves and hay.plants
- Use the rule. A herbivore eats only plants.rabbit = herbivore
- Write the answer. True
Check. A rabbit eats only plants. ✓
Watch out. Rabbits are herbivores.
Key words. A herbivore eats only plants. A carnivore eats only other animals. An omnivore eats plants and animals.
Method. Think about the cow’s food.
- Look at the cow. A cow is a herbivore.cow = herbivore
- Find what it eats. Cows eat grass in fields.grass
- Write the answer. grass
Check. Grass is a plant. ✓
Watch out. Grass grows in fields, so cows eat plants.
Key words. A herbivore eats only plants. A carnivore eats only other animals. An omnivore eats plants and animals.
Method. Think about the rabbit’s food.
- Look at the rabbit. A rabbit is a herbivore.rabbit = herbivore
- Find what it eats. A pet rabbit eats hay, grass and leaves.hay
- Write the answer. hay
Check. Hay is dried grass, which is a plant. ✓
Watch out. Hay is made from plants.
Key words. A herbivore eats only plants. A carnivore eats only other animals. An omnivore eats plants and animals.
Method. Think about the tortoise’s food.
- Look at the tortoise. A tortoise is a herbivore.tortoise = herbivore
- Find what it eats. A tortoise eats leaves and other plants.leaves
- Write the answer. leaves
Check. Leaves are parts of plants. ✓
Watch out. Leaves are plants, so a tortoise is a herbivore.
Key words. A herbivore eats only plants. A carnivore eats only other animals. An omnivore eats plants and animals.
Method. Think about teeth for grinding.
- Look at the gap. It asks which teeth grind plants.grinding plants
- Choose the teeth. Flat teeth at the back grind tough plants.flat = grind
- Write the answer. flat
Check. Sharp teeth are for tearing meat. ✓
Watch out. Flat teeth are for plants, sharp teeth are for meat.
Key words. A herbivore eats only plants. A carnivore eats only other animals. An omnivore eats plants and animals.
Method. Look at what each animal eats.
- Sort them. Cow, rabbit and guinea pig eat plants.cow, rabbit, guinea pig = herbivores
- Find the one that is different. A cat eats meat, so it is not a herbivore.cat = carnivore
- Write the answer. cat. It eats meat, but the others eat only plants.
Check. Three of the four are herbivores. ✓
Watch out. Look at what the animal eats, not whether it has fur.
Key words. A herbivore eats only plants. A carnivore eats only other animals. An omnivore eats plants and animals.
Method. Check each animal in the picture.
- Look at what each one eats. The rabbit, the guinea pig and the tortoise all eat plants.all herbivores
- Look for the shell. Only the tortoise has a hard shell.tortoise has a shell
- Write the answer. tortoise
Check. A tortoise eats plants and has a hard shell. ✓
Watch out. The rabbit and the guinea pig do not have shells.
Key words. A herbivore eats only plants. A carnivore eats only other animals. An omnivore eats plants and animals.
Method. Check what a horse eats.
- Look at the food. A horse eats grass and hay.grass and hay = plants
- Use the rule. A herbivore eats only plants, so a big horse can still be a herbivore.horse = herbivore
- Write the answer. No. A horse eats only plants, so it is a herbivore.
Check. Size does not decide the group. ✓
Watch out. Big and strong animals can still eat only plants.
Key words. A herbivore eats only plants. A carnivore eats only other animals. An omnivore eats plants and animals.
Method. Look at what a guinea pig eats, then use the rule for each group.
- Look at the food. Ask: is it a plant, an animal, or both?It eats hay, grass and carrots. Carrots are plants too.
- Use the rule. A herbivore eats only plants.A guinea pig eats only plants.
- Write the group. herbivore
Check. Say the rule back: a herbivore eats only plants. ✓
Watch out. Look at the food, not the size. A big animal can still eat only plants.
Key words. A herbivore eats only plants. A carnivore eats only other animals. An omnivore eats plants and animals.
Method. Look closely and write down what you saw.
- Watch the animal. Look at how it eats and what it does with its food.chewing, moving its mouth
- Write what you noticed. A careful note helps us find out more.a plant eater chews a lot
- Write the answer. Accept sensible answers, such as: it chewed for a long time.
Check. Write one observation you could check again tomorrow. ✓
Watch out. Write what you saw, not what you think the answer is.
Omnivores: eaters of both
Printable: Worksheet (PDF) · Answers (PDF) · Open this lesson on its own page
An omnivore eats both plants and animals. The word omni means “all”.
People are omnivores. We eat bread, apples and carrots from plants. We eat eggs, cheese, fish and meat from animals.
Many omnivores have sharp teeth at the front and flat teeth at the back. A human has both kinds.
Key ideas
- An omnivore eats plants and animals.
- Humans, pigs, hens, bears and dogs are omnivores.
- Omnivores often have sharp teeth and flat teeth.
- A dog is an omnivore, even if it likes meat best.
Key words. A herbivore eats only plants. A carnivore eats only other animals. An omnivore eats plants and animals.
Method. Look at what a human eats, then use the rule for each group.
- Look at the food. Ask: is it a plant, an animal, or both?We eat bread and apples from plants, and eggs and fish from animals.
- Use the rule. An omnivore eats both plants and animals.A human eats both plants and animals.
- Write the group. omnivore
Check. Say the rule back: an omnivore eats both plants and animals. ✓
Watch out. Look at the food, not the size. A big animal can still eat only plants.
Key words. A herbivore eats only plants. A carnivore eats only other animals. An omnivore eats plants and animals.
Method. Look at what a hen eats, then use the rule for each group.
- Look at the food. Ask: is it a plant, an animal, or both?A hen eats seeds, which are plants, and worms, which are animals.
- Use the rule. An omnivore eats both plants and animals.A hen eats both plants and animals.
- Write the group. omnivore
Check. Say the rule back: an omnivore eats both plants and animals. ✓
Watch out. Look at the food, not the size. A big animal can still eat only plants.
Key words. A herbivore eats only plants. A carnivore eats only other animals. An omnivore eats plants and animals.
Method. Look at what a brown bear eats, then use the rule for each group.
- Look at the food. Ask: is it a plant, an animal, or both?A brown bear eats berries and roots, and it also eats fish and other animals.
- Use the rule. An omnivore eats both plants and animals.A brown bear eats both plants and animals.
- Write the group. omnivore
Check. Say the rule back: an omnivore eats both plants and animals. ✓
Watch out. Look at the food, not the size. A big animal can still eat only plants.
Watch out
Watch out: an animal that eats meat is not always a carnivore. A dog eats meat and plants, so it is an omnivore.
Try it at home
Stand in front of a mirror with a grown-up. Find your front teeth. Are they thin and sharp? Find your back teeth. Are they wide and flat? Tell a grown-up what you notice.
Exam tip
Grown-up tip. Ask: “Which food do we eat from plants? Which food do we eat from animals?” Let your child count the foods from each group on their fingers.
Exercise 5D Omnivores
Key words. A herbivore eats only plants. A carnivore eats only other animals. An omnivore eats plants and animals.
Method. Remember the rule for an omnivore.
- Find the group word. The question names the group.omnivore
- Remember what it eats. An omnivore eats both plants and animals.Omnivore: eats both plants and animals
- Write the answer. plants and animals
Check. Read the rule back to yourself: an omnivore eats both plants and animals. ✓
Watch out. Read the whole rule, so you do not miss a word.
Key words. A herbivore eats only plants. A carnivore eats only other animals. An omnivore eats plants and animals.
Method. Check what each one eats.
- Look at the lion. A lion eats only other animals.lion = carnivore
- Look at the pig. A pig eats plants and animals, so it is an omnivore.pig = omnivore
- Write the answer. pig
Check. The lion is a carnivore. ✓
Watch out. An omnivore eats both kinds of food.
Key words. A herbivore eats only plants. A carnivore eats only other animals. An omnivore eats plants and animals.
Method. Check what people eat.
- Look at our food. We eat bread, apples, eggs and fish.plants and animals
- Use the rule. An omnivore eats both, so people are omnivores.human = omnivore
- Write the answer. True
Check. People eat plants and animals. ✓
Watch out. People are omnivores.
Key words. A herbivore eats only plants. A carnivore eats only other animals. An omnivore eats plants and animals.
Method. Check what a hen eats.
- Look at the food. A hen eats seeds, which are plants, and worms, which are animals.plants and animals
- Use the rule. A herbivore eats only plants, so a hen is not one.hen = omnivore
- Write the answer. False
Check. A hen eats worms as well as seeds. ✓
Watch out. Seeds are plants, but worms are animals.
Key words. A herbivore eats only plants. A carnivore eats only other animals. An omnivore eats plants and animals.
Method. Find the omnivores in the list. Check what each animal eats.
- Look at each animal. Find out what it eats.cat: carnivore; dog: omnivore; cow: herbivore; hamster: omnivore
- Pick out the omnivores. Keep only the animals that are omnivores.dog, hamster
- Write the answer. dog and hamster
Check. Check each one: the omnivores eat eats both plants and animals. ✓
Watch out. Do not pick an animal because it looks fierce. Check the food.
Key words. A herbivore eats only plants. A carnivore eats only other animals. An omnivore eats plants and animals.
Method. Think about what a dog eats.
- Look at the meat. A dog eats meat, which comes from an animal.meat = animal
- Look at the plants. A dog also eats plant foods, such as vegetables.plants too = omnivore
- Write the answer. A dog eats meat and plants.
Check. Eating both kinds of food makes it an omnivore. ✓
Watch out. A dog eats both, so it is an omnivore, even though it likes meat.
Key words. A herbivore eats only plants. A carnivore eats only other animals. An omnivore eats plants and animals.
Method. Think about the teeth in your mouth.
- Look at the front teeth. They are thin and sharp, for biting.sharp front teeth
- Look at the back teeth. They are wide and flat, for chewing.flat back teeth
- Write the answer. sharp and flat
Check. Use the mirror to check. ✓
Watch out. Humans have both kinds of teeth, so we are omnivores.
Key words. A herbivore eats only plants. A carnivore eats only other animals. An omnivore eats plants and animals.
Method. Find the omnivores, then count them.
- Look at each animal. An omnivore eats plants and animals.human, hen and bear eat both
- Count them. Touch each one once: human, hen, bear.1 human, 2 hen, 3 bear
- Write the answer. 3 omnivores
Check. The lion is a carnivore and the cow is a herbivore. ✓
Watch out. Do not count the lion or the cow.
Key words. A herbivore eats only plants. A carnivore eats only other animals. An omnivore eats plants and animals.
Method. Check what a pig eats.
- Look at the pig in the picture. A pig eats roots and plants, and also some small animals.plants and animals
- Use the rule. An omnivore eats both kinds of food.pig = omnivore
- Write the answer. Yes. A pig eats plants and animals.
Check. A pig is an omnivore. ✓
Watch out. A pig is an omnivore, so the answer is yes.
Key words. A herbivore eats only plants. A carnivore eats only other animals. An omnivore eats plants and animals.
Method. Check what a bear eats.
- Look at the food. A brown bear eats berries and roots, and also fish and other animals.plants and animals
- Use the rule. It eats both, so it is an omnivore.bear = omnivore
- Write the answer. No. A bear eats plants as well as animals, so it is an omnivore.
Check. Eating fish does not make it a carnivore. ✓
Watch out. An animal can eat meat and still be an omnivore.
Key words. A herbivore eats only plants. A carnivore eats only other animals. An omnivore eats plants and animals.
Method. Think about your own food.
- Think of plant foods. Fruit, vegetables and bread come from plants.apple, bread
- Think of animal foods. Eggs, cheese, fish and meat come from animals.egg, fish
- Write the answer. Accept sensible answers, such as: apple and bread (plants); egg and fish (animals).
Check. A grown-up can check your list with you. ✓
Watch out. Cheese and milk come from animals, so they count as animal foods.
Key words. A herbivore eats only plants. A carnivore eats only other animals. An omnivore eats plants and animals.
Method. Look closely and write what you saw.
- Look at your teeth. Compare the front teeth with the back teeth.thin and sharp; wide and flat
- Think about how to find out more. A grown-up can help you look at a picture of teeth, or a dentist book.ask a grown-up
- Write the answer. Accept sensible answers, such as: my front teeth are thin and sharp, and my back teeth are wide and flat.
Check. Use the mirror again and check your answer. ✓
Watch out. Look at your own teeth carefully, with a grown-up.
Legs, wings, fins and tails
Printable: Worksheet (PDF) · Answers (PDF) · Open this lesson on its own page
Animals have body parts that help them to move, find food and keep safe.
Legs help animals to walk, run and jump. A cow has four legs. A frog has long back legs for jumping.
Wings help birds to fly. A penguin uses its wings to swim.
Fins help fish to swim and balance. A goldfish has fins.
Tails help animals to balance. A cat uses its tail to balance. A fish uses its tail to push through water.
Key ideas
- Legs help animals to walk, run and jump.
- Wings help birds to fly.
- Fins help fish to swim and balance.
- Tails help animals to balance.
Method. Touch each one once and say one number for each.
- Count each one. Touch each one once, so you do not miss any.1, 2, 3, 4
- Look at the last number. The last number tells us how many there are.The last number is 4.
- Write the answer. There are 4 legs.
Check. Count again from the other side. You get 4 again. ✓
Watch out. Move each one to one side as you count it, so you do not lose your place.
Key words. A herbivore eats only plants. A carnivore eats only other animals. An omnivore eats plants and animals.
Method. Think about what each body part is for.
- Look at the question. We want the body part a fish uses to swim.fish swims
- Think about each choice. Fins help fish to swim and balance. Wings help birds to fly.fins = swim
- Write the answer. fins
Check. A fish has fins, not wings. ✓
Watch out. Wings are for birds. Fins are for fish.
Key words. A herbivore eats only plants. A carnivore eats only other animals. An omnivore eats plants and animals.
Method. Think about what wings are for.
- Look at the bird. A robin has two wings.robin: wings
- Think about the job. Wings help birds to fly.wings = fly
- Write the answer. fly
Check. Most birds use their wings to fly. ✓
Watch out. Not every bird flies, but most birds fly with their wings.
Watch out
Watch out: not every bird flies. A penguin has wings, but it uses them to swim.
Try it at home
With a grown-up, draw a bird, a fish and a dog on paper. Ask a grown-up to help you cut them out. Add wings, fins and a tail. Ask: What does each part help the animal to do?
Exam tip
Grown-up tip. Ask your child: “Which part does the bird use to fly? Which part does the fish use to swim?” Let them show you with their arms, like wings.
Exercise 5E Legs, wings, fins and tails
Key words. A herbivore eats only plants. A carnivore eats only other animals. An omnivore eats plants and animals.
Method. Think about what birds use to fly.
- Look at the gap. It asks what birds use to fly.fly
- Choose the body part. Birds fly with their wings.wings = fly
- Write the answer. wings
Check. An eagle has wings for flying. ✓
Watch out. Legs are for walking, and fins are for swimming.
Key words. A herbivore eats only plants. A carnivore eats only other animals. An omnivore eats plants and animals.
Method. Think about what fish use to swim.
- Look at the gap. It asks what fish use to swim.swim
- Choose the body part. Fish swim with their fins.fins = swim
- Write the answer. fins
Check. A goldfish has fins. ✓
Watch out. Wings are for birds, not for fish.
Method. Touch each one once and say one number for each.
- Count each one. Touch each one once, so you do not miss any.1, 2, 3, 4
- Look at the last number. The last number tells us how many there are.The last number is 4.
- Write the answer. There are 4 legs.
Check. Count again from the other side. You get 4 again. ✓
Watch out. Move each one to one side as you count it, so you do not lose your place.
Key words. A herbivore eats only plants. A carnivore eats only other animals. An omnivore eats plants and animals.
Method. Think about jumping.
- Look at the frog. A frog has long back legs.long back legs
- Think about the job. Long back legs push the frog up and far, so it can jump.legs = jump
- Write the answer. legs
Check. Frogs do not fly, so they do not need wings. ✓
Watch out. A frog uses its legs to jump.
Key words. A herbivore eats only plants. A carnivore eats only other animals. An omnivore eats plants and animals.
Method. Think about what a penguin does with its wings.
- Look at the penguin. A penguin is a bird with wings.penguin: wings
- Think about the wings. Penguins use their wings to swim, not to fly.swim, not fly
- Write the answer. False
Check. Penguins are birds that cannot fly. ✓
Watch out. Not every bird flies.
Key words. A herbivore eats only plants. A carnivore eats only other animals. An omnivore eats plants and animals.
Method. Think about what legs are for.
- Look at the cow. A cow has four legs.four legs
- Find the job. Legs help a cow to walk.walking
- Write the answer. walking
Check. Walking uses legs. ✓
Watch out. Legs are for walking, running and jumping.
Key words. A herbivore eats only plants. A carnivore eats only other animals. An omnivore eats plants and animals.
Method. Think about what wings are for.
- Look at the eagle. An eagle has two wings.two wings
- Find the job. Wings help birds to fly.flying
- Write the answer. flying
Check. Eagles fly with their wings. ✓
Watch out. Wings are for flying.
Key words. A herbivore eats only plants. A carnivore eats only other animals. An omnivore eats plants and animals.
Method. Think about what fins are for.
- Look at the goldfish. A goldfish has fins.fins
- Find the job. Fins help fish to swim.swimming
- Write the answer. swimming
Check. Goldfish swim in water. ✓
Watch out. Fins are for swimming and balancing.
Key words. A herbivore eats only plants. A carnivore eats only other animals. An omnivore eats plants and animals.
Method. Look at each animal.
- Check the body part. The eagle, robin and duck are birds with wings.birds = wings
- Find the one that is different. A shark is a fish, so it has fins, not wings.shark = fins
- Write the answer. shark. It is a fish, so it has fins, not wings.
Check. Three of the four are birds. ✓
Watch out. Look at the animal group as well as the body part.
Key words. A herbivore eats only plants. A carnivore eats only other animals. An omnivore eats plants and animals.
Method. Think about what the legs are for.
- Look at the legs. The back legs are long and strong.long back legs
- Think about the job. Strong legs push the frog up and forward, so it can jump a long way.jump far
- Write the answer. Long back legs help a frog to jump a long way.
Check. Frogs use their legs to move. ✓
Watch out. The legs help the frog jump, not walk slowly.
Key words. A herbivore eats only plants. A carnivore eats only other animals. An omnivore eats plants and animals.
Method. Look at each animal in the picture.
- Look at the cat. A cat uses its tail to balance.cat: balance
- Look at the goldfish. A goldfish uses its tail to push through water.goldfish: push
- Write the answer. cat
Check. The goldfish uses its tail to swim. ✓
Watch out. A tail helps with balance and with moving.
Key words. A herbivore eats only plants. A carnivore eats only other animals. An omnivore eats plants and animals.
Method. Think about how fish move.
- Look at the fish. A fish has fins and a tail, and no legs.fins and tail
- Use the facts. Fish swim with their fins and push with their tail.fins and tail
- Write the answer. No. Fish swim with their fins and tail.
Check. A fish does not walk on legs. ✓
Watch out. Fish do not use legs to swim.
Key words. A herbivore eats only plants. A carnivore eats only other animals. An omnivore eats plants and animals.
Method. Think about what fins do.
- Think about the job of fins. Fins help a fish to swim and balance.swim and balance
- Predict what would happen. Without fins, the fish would find it hard to move through the water.hard to swim
- Write the answer. It would find it hard to swim and balance, because fins help a fish to swim and balance.
Check. Test your idea: think of a paper fish with and without fins. ✓
Watch out. A prediction is a sensible guess that we can check.
Beaks and shells
Printable: Worksheet (PDF) · Answers (PDF) · Open this lesson on its own page
Birds do not have teeth. They have a beak instead. A beak picks up food and holds it.
Beaks come in different shapes. A hooked beak, like an eagle’s, helps it to tear meat. A flat beak, like a duck’s, helps it to pick up food from water. A thin, pointed beak, like a robin’s, helps it to pick up insects and worms.
Some animals have a shell. A shell protects the animal’s body. A snail can pull its soft body into its shell. A tortoise has a hard shell. A crab has a hard shell on the outside of its body.
Key ideas
- Birds have beaks, not teeth.
- A hooked beak helps a bird to tear meat.
- A flat beak helps a duck to pick up food from water.
- A shell protects an animal’s body.
Key words. A herbivore eats only plants. A carnivore eats only other animals. An omnivore eats plants and animals.
Method. Think about what each beak does.
- Look at the question. We want a beak for tearing meat.tear meat
- Think about each beak. A hooked beak tears food. A flat beak picks up food from water.hooked = tear
- Write the answer. hooked
Check. An eagle has a hooked beak for tearing. ✓
Watch out. A flat beak is for picking up food from water.
Key words. A herbivore eats only plants. A carnivore eats only other animals. An omnivore eats plants and animals.
Method. Think about which animal has a shell.
- Look at the snail. A snail has a shell on its back.snail has a shell
- Look at the shark. A shark has fins, not a shell.shark has fins
- Write the answer. snail
Check. The shell keeps the snail safe. ✓
Watch out. Fins and shells are different body parts.
Key words. A herbivore eats only plants. A carnivore eats only other animals. An omnivore eats plants and animals.
Method. Think about the job of a flat beak.
- Look at the beak. A duck’s beak is wide and flat.flat beak
- Think about the job. A flat beak helps a duck to pick up food from water.pick up food from water
- Write the answer. pick up food from water
Check. A duck uses its beak to find food in water. ✓
Watch out. Flat beaks are good for picking up food from water.
Watch out
Watch out: birds do not have teeth. Their beak does the job of picking up and holding food.
Try it at home
With a grown-up, look for a snail in the garden or on a wall. Do not pick it up. Look at its shell with a magnifying glass, if you have one. Wash your hands after you have been outside.
Exam tip
Grown-up tip. Ask: “What is the shell made of? Is it hard?” Ask your child why a snail might need a shell to keep it safe.
Exercise 5F Beaks and shells
Key words. A herbivore eats only plants. A carnivore eats only other animals. An omnivore eats plants and animals.
Method. Think about the mouth of a bird.
- Look at the gap. It asks what birds have instead of teeth.beaks
- Remember the fact. Birds have no teeth. They use their beak to pick up food.beak = mouth
- Write the answer. beaks
Check. Look at a picture of a robin. Its beak is its mouth. ✓
Watch out. Birds do not have teeth.
Key words. A herbivore eats only plants. A carnivore eats only other animals. An omnivore eats plants and animals.
Method. Think about the shape of a duck’s beak.
- Look at the gap. It asks which beak picks up food from water.water
- Choose the beak. A duck has a wide, flat beak.flat
- Write the answer. flat
Check. A flat beak is good for sifting food from water. ✓
Watch out. A hooked beak is for tearing, not for water.
Key words. A herbivore eats only plants. A carnivore eats only other animals. An omnivore eats plants and animals.
Method. Think about the beaks.
- Look at the eagle. An eagle has a hooked beak for tearing meat.hooked
- Look at the robin. A robin has a thin, pointed beak.thin
- Write the answer. eagle
Check. Only the eagle has a hooked beak. ✓
Watch out. A thin beak is not a hooked beak.
Key words. A herbivore eats only plants. A carnivore eats only other animals. An omnivore eats plants and animals.
Method. Think about which animal has a shell.
- Look at the snail. A snail has a shell on its back.shell
- Look at the shark. A shark has fins and no shell.fins
- Write the answer. snail
Check. A snail can pull its body inside its shell. ✓
Watch out. Sharks swim with fins. Snails carry their shells.
Key words. A herbivore eats only plants. A carnivore eats only other animals. An omnivore eats plants and animals.
Method. Think about birds.
- Look at what birds have. Birds have a beak instead of teeth.beak
- Use the fact. A bird does not have teeth.no teeth
- Write the answer. False
Check. A beak does the job of teeth for birds. ✓
Watch out. Birds have beaks, not teeth.
Key words. A herbivore eats only plants. A carnivore eats only other animals. An omnivore eats plants and animals.
Method. Think about the eagle’s beak.
- Look at the beak. An eagle has a hooked beak.hooked
- Find the job. A hooked beak helps an eagle tear meat.tearing meat
- Write the answer. tearing meat
Check. The hooked shape holds food. ✓
Watch out. A hooked beak is for tearing.
Key words. A herbivore eats only plants. A carnivore eats only other animals. An omnivore eats plants and animals.
Method. Think about the duck’s beak.
- Look at the beak. A duck has a flat beak.flat
- Find the job. A flat beak helps a duck to pick up food from water.water
- Write the answer. picking up food from water
Check. Ducks eat from water. ✓
Watch out. A duck’s beak is not for tearing.
Key words. A herbivore eats only plants. A carnivore eats only other animals. An omnivore eats plants and animals.
Method. Think about the robin’s beak.
- Look at the beak. A robin has a thin, pointed beak.thin
- Find the job. A thin beak helps a robin pick up insects and worms.insects
- Write the answer. picking up insects
Check. Robins eat insects and worms. ✓
Watch out. A thin beak is for picking up small food.
Key words. A herbivore eats only plants. A carnivore eats only other animals. An omnivore eats plants and animals.
Method. Look for a shell on each animal.
- Check each one. The tortoise, snail and crab have shells.shell
- Find the one that is different. A cow does not have a shell, so it is different.no shell
- Write the answer. cow. It does not have a shell.
Check. Three of the four have a shell. ✓
Watch out. A cow has skin and fur, not a shell.
Key words. A herbivore eats only plants. A carnivore eats only other animals. An omnivore eats plants and animals.
Method. Think about pets and their body parts.
- Think about each pet. A dog, a cat, a rabbit and a guinea pig do not have shells.no shell
- Find the pet with a shell. A tortoise has a hard shell.tortoise
- Write the answer. tortoise
Check. A tortoise is a pet that eats plants. ✓
Watch out. Pet tortoises need a grown-up to help choose their food.
Key words. A herbivore eats only plants. A carnivore eats only other animals. An omnivore eats plants and animals.
Method. Think about what a shell is for.
- Look at the shell. It is hard and covers the tortoise’s body.hard cover
- Think about the job. The shell keeps the tortoise safe from harm.protects
- Write the answer. Its shell protects its body.
Check. Without a shell, the tortoise would be less safe. ✓
Watch out. A shell protects the body. It is not for moving.
Key words. A herbivore eats only plants. A carnivore eats only other animals. An omnivore eats plants and animals.
Method. Think about the robin’s beak.
- Look at the robin’s beak. A robin has a thin, pointed beak.thin
- Find the beak for tearing. A hooked beak, such as an eagle’s, is for tearing meat.hooked = tear
- Write the answer. No. A robin has a thin beak for picking up insects. A hooked beak tears meat.
Check. Each beak shape fits the food the bird eats. ✓
Watch out. The beak shape fits the food.
Key words. A herbivore eats only plants. A carnivore eats only other animals. An omnivore eats plants and animals.
Method. Look closely and then think about why.
- Look at the shell. Notice its shape, colour and how hard it looks.hard and round
- Think about the job. A shell keeps the soft body of a snail safe.keeps it safe
- Write the answer. Accept sensible answers, such as: it is hard and round. It keeps the snail safe.
Check. Look at the snail from outside only. Do not pick it up. ✓
Watch out. Look at the snail from a safe distance.
Chapter summary
| Skill | Method |
|---|---|
| Herbivore | Eats only plants. Examples: cow, rabbit, tortoise. |
| Carnivore | Eats only other animals. Examples: lion, owl, shark. |
| Omnivore | Eats plants and animals. Examples: human, pig, hen, dog. |
| Teeth | Sharp teeth hold and tear meat. Flat teeth grind plants. |
| Legs, wings, fins and tails | Legs walk and jump. Wings fly. Fins swim. Tails help with balance. |
| Beaks and shells | A beak picks up food. A shell protects the body. |
Can you…?
- I can say what a carnivore, a herbivore and an omnivore eats
- I can sort animals into carnivores, herbivores and omnivores
- I can name some common animals and pets in each group
- I can say what legs, wings, fins and tails help an animal to do
- I can say what a beak and a shell are for
Key terms
- carnivore
- an animal that eats only other animals
- herbivore
- an animal that eats only plants
- omnivore
- an animal that eats both plants and animals
- pet
- an animal that we keep at home, such as a cat or a rabbit
- beak
- the hard front part of a bird’s mouth, used for picking up food
- shell
- a hard covering that protects an animal’s body
- fin
- a part that a fish uses to swim and balance
- grind
- to crush food into small pieces with flat teeth
Exercise 5Z Check-up
Key words. A herbivore eats only plants. A carnivore eats only other animals. An omnivore eats plants and animals.
Method. Look at what a cow eats, then use the rule for each group.
- Look at the food. Ask: is it a plant, an animal, or both?A cow eats grass, which is a plant.
- Use the rule. A herbivore eats only plants.A cow eats only plants.
- Write the group. herbivore
Check. Say the rule back: a herbivore eats only plants. ✓
Watch out. Look at the food, not the size. A big animal can still eat only plants.
Key words. A herbivore eats only plants. A carnivore eats only other animals. An omnivore eats plants and animals.
Method. Look at what a lion eats, then use the rule for each group.
- Look at the food. Ask: is it a plant, an animal, or both?A lion eats zebras, which are animals.
- Use the rule. A carnivore eats only other animals.A lion eats only other animals.
- Write the group. carnivore
Check. Say the rule back: a carnivore eats only other animals. ✓
Watch out. Look at the food, not the size. A big animal can still eat only plants.
Key words. A herbivore eats only plants. A carnivore eats only other animals. An omnivore eats plants and animals.
Method. Look at what a pig eats, then use the rule for each group.
- Look at the food. Ask: is it a plant, an animal, or both?A pig eats plants and animals.
- Use the rule. An omnivore eats both plants and animals.A pig eats both plants and animals.
- Write the group. omnivore
Check. Say the rule back: an omnivore eats both plants and animals. ✓
Watch out. Look at the food, not the size. A big animal can still eat only plants.
Key words. A herbivore eats only plants. A carnivore eats only other animals. An omnivore eats plants and animals.
Method. Remember the rule for an omnivore.
- Find the group word. The question names the group.omnivore
- Remember what it eats. An omnivore eats both plants and animals.Omnivore: eats both plants and animals
- Write the answer. animals
Check. Read the rule back to yourself: an omnivore eats both plants and animals. ✓
Watch out. Read the whole rule, so you do not miss a word.
Key words. A herbivore eats only plants. A carnivore eats only other animals. An omnivore eats plants and animals.
Method. Think about what grinding needs.
- Look at the question. We want teeth that grind plants.grind
- Choose the teeth. Flat teeth grind plants. Sharp teeth tear meat.flat
- Write the answer. flat teeth
Check. Herbivores have flat back teeth. ✓
Watch out. Sharp teeth are for meat.
Method. Touch each one once and say one number for each.
- Count each one. Touch each one once, so you do not miss any.1, 2, 3, 4
- Look at the last number. The last number tells us how many there are.The last number is 4.
- Write the answer. There are 4 legs.
Check. Count again from the other side. You get 4 again. ✓
Watch out. Move each one to one side as you count it, so you do not lose your place.
Key words. A herbivore eats only plants. A carnivore eats only other animals. An omnivore eats plants and animals.
Method. Think about what fins are for.
- Look at the question. It asks what fins help a fish to do.fins
- Choose the job. Fins help a fish to swim and balance.swim
- Write the answer. swim
Check. Fins help a fish to swim. ✓
Watch out. Fins are for swimming, not for flying.
Key words. A herbivore eats only plants. A carnivore eats only other animals. An omnivore eats plants and animals.
Method. Think about the beak shapes.
- Look at each beak. A hooked beak tears food.hooked = tear
- Choose the beak. A thin beak is for picking up insects.thin = pick up
- Write the answer. hooked
Check. An eagle has a hooked beak. ✓
Watch out. A thin beak is for small food.
Key words. A herbivore eats only plants. A carnivore eats only other animals. An omnivore eats plants and animals.
Method. Think about which animal has a shell.
- Look at the robin. A robin has feathers and a beak.no shell
- Look at the snail. A snail has a shell on its back.shell
- Write the answer. snail
Check. The snail carries its shell. ✓
Watch out. Birds do not have shells.
Key words. A herbivore eats only plants. A carnivore eats only other animals. An omnivore eats plants and animals.
Method. How could we find out?
- Watch the pet. Watch it at feeding time, from outside its cage.hay, grass
- Check the food. Ask a grown-up what the food is, and check a reliable book or website.plants
- Write the answer. Watch what it eats, and check its food with a grown-up. A rabbit eats plants, so it is a herbivore.
Check. Wash your hands after touching the pet or its food. ✓
Watch out. Never feed a pet food that a grown-up has not checked.
Total 13 marks. Allow about 13 minutes.
Exercise 5X End-of-chapter quiz
Key words. A herbivore eats only plants. A carnivore eats only other animals. An omnivore eats plants and animals.
Method. Remember the rule for a herbivore.
- Find the group word. The question names the group.herbivore
- Remember what it eats. A herbivore eats only plants.Herbivore: eats only plants
- Write the answer. plants
Check. Read the rule back to yourself: a herbivore eats only plants. ✓
Watch out. Read the whole rule, so you do not miss a word.
Key words. A herbivore eats only plants. A carnivore eats only other animals. An omnivore eats plants and animals.
Method. Check what a shark eats.
- Look at the food. A shark eats fish.fish = animals
- Use the rule. A herbivore eats only plants, so a shark is not one.not a herbivore
- Write the answer. No
Check. A shark is a carnivore. ✓
Watch out. Where an animal lives does not tell us its group.
Key words. A herbivore eats only plants. A carnivore eats only other animals. An omnivore eats plants and animals.
Method. Think about the animals that eat plants and animals.
- Think of an omnivore. A human eats plants and animals.human
- Check the rule. An omnivore eats both kinds of food.human = omnivore
- Write the answer. Human (accept pig, hen, bear, dog or hamster)
Check. You can use any omnivore from this chapter. ✓
Watch out. An omnivore eats both.
Key words. A herbivore eats only plants. A carnivore eats only other animals. An omnivore eats plants and animals.
Method. Think about the teeth a cat needs for meat.
- Look at the gap. It asks which teeth hold meat.holding meat
- Choose the teeth. Sharp, pointed teeth hold and tear meat.sharp
- Write the answer. sharp
Check. Carnivores have sharp teeth. ✓
Watch out. Flat teeth grind plants.
Method. Touch each one once and say one number for each.
- Count each one. Touch each one once, so you do not miss any.1, 2
- Look at the last number. The last number tells us how many there are.The last number is 2.
- Write the answer. There are 2 back legs.
Check. Count again from the other side. You get 2 again. ✓
Watch out. Move each one to one side as you count it, so you do not lose your place.
Key words. A herbivore eats only plants. A carnivore eats only other animals. An omnivore eats plants and animals.
Method. Think about pets.
- Think about the herbivore pets. Rabbits, guinea pigs and tortoises eat plants.plants
- Find the one with a shell. A tortoise has a hard shell.tortoise
- Write the answer. tortoise
Check. A rabbit has fur, not a shell. ✓
Watch out. Only the tortoise has a shell.
Key words. A herbivore eats only plants. A carnivore eats only other animals. An omnivore eats plants and animals.
Method. Look at each beak in the picture.
- Look at each bird. The eagle has a hooked beak. The duck has a flat bill. The robin has a thin beak.eagle = hooked
- Find the hooked one. Only the eagle has a hooked beak.eagle
- Write the answer. eagle
Check. The beak shape is clear in the picture. ✓
Watch out. A hooked beak curves over at the tip.
Key words. A herbivore eats only plants. A carnivore eats only other animals. An omnivore eats plants and animals.
Method. Think about what fins are for.
- Look at the fish. A fish has fins on its body.fins
- Think about the job. Fins help a fish to swim and balance in the water.swim and balance
- Write the answer. Fins help a fish to swim and balance.
Check. A fish swims with its fins and tail. ✓
Watch out. Fins are for moving and balancing.
Key words. A herbivore eats only plants. A carnivore eats only other animals. An omnivore eats plants and animals.
Method. Check what a rabbit eats.
- Look at the food. A rabbit eats grass, leaves and hay.plants
- Use the rule. A carnivore eats only animals, so a rabbit is not one.herbivore
- Write the answer. No. A rabbit eats plants, so it is a herbivore.
Check. Having teeth does not tell us the group. ✓
Watch out. Look at the food, not the teeth alone.
Key words. A herbivore eats only plants. A carnivore eats only other animals. An omnivore eats plants and animals.
Method. Think about what a shell does.
- Look at the snail. A snail has a hard shell on its back.shell
- Think about the job. The shell keeps the soft body safe.protects
- Write the answer. Its shell protects its soft body.
Check. A snail can pull its body into its shell. ✓
Watch out. A shell is for protection.