Insectivores: Insectivora

As the name of the order implies, most of these animals primarily eat insects, although many will also eat other invertebrates, animals without a backbone. In addition to insects, many will also eat leaves, tender shoots, seeds, fruits, and other plant materials. Some, like hedgehogs and tenrecs, prefer to dine on invertebrates other than insects, such as snails, clams, and worms, or on vertebrate animals, animals with a backbone, like small snakes or lizards, fish, frogs, and bird eggs.

Many insectivores require a lot of energy, so they must eat frequently. Some, like the long-tailed shrew, spend almost every waking moment eating in order to meet their energy needs.