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Are the majority of non-human primate species primarily or exclusively herbivores?

User Mouffette
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Final answer:

Most primates are omnivorous, not exclusively herbivores, and their preferred food is usually fruit, though they may also eat animal material. Humans, however, have a more varied diet, which includes processed foods and meat.

Step-by-step explanation:

While the majority of primates are omnivorous and consume both plant and animal material, it is not accurate to say that most non-human primate species are primarily or exclusively herbivores. Primates, including lemurs, monkeys, and apes, exhibit various diets but often prefer fruit. However, there are exceptions, with some primates having specialized diets. For example, certain species are known for using tools to assist in food gathering, such as gorillas using sticks to determine water depth, and chimpanzees using modified sticks to hunt or extract termites.

Nevertheless, humans, as part of the primate order, have a distinct diet that has evolved to include a large number of processed foods, grains, and vertebrate meat, contrasting with the typical primate preference for fruits and less processed foods. The evolution of primate diets is a subject of ongoing research unraveling how primates have adapted to and exploited their ecological niches.

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