Final answer:
When animals eat corn or peanuts, they usually consume the seeds as well, as many animals have the ability to deal with the protective shell or hull. Some seeds are digested while others can pass through the digestive tract and be dispersed in new locations. Animals play a key role in seed predation and dispersal, aiding in plant reproduction.
Step-by-step explanation:
When animals consume plants such as corn or peanuts, they often consume the seeds as well. The shell of a peanut and the hull of corn protect the seeds as they mature, but many animals have evolved ways to deal with these protective layers. For instance, rodents like squirrels may eat peanuts and either digest the seeds or bury them for later use, potentially allowing the seeds to germinate if they are forgotten.
Birds and other wildlife may also eat corn kernels, which are the seeds of the corn plant. As for the question of whether an animal will eat the seeds alongside corn or peanuts, the answer is usually yes. Many seed predators have developed specialized behaviors and biological adaptations that enable them to access and eat seeds, such as the Clark's Nutcracker and its relationship with pine seeds.
It's important to note that while some seeds are digested, others pass through an animal's digestive tract unharmed and are dispersed through the environment via the animal's droppings. This process helps with the dispersal of many plant species. Other seeds, like burdock, have evolved structures such as hooks to adhere to animal fur and be carried to new locations. Whether the seeds are consumed deliberately by the animal or transported inadvertently, they play a crucial role in the reproduction and dispersal of plants.