THE 10 MOST RELEVANT INSECT-EATING ANIMALS - BIOLOGY - 2025

Some of the animals that eat insects include the bat, the armadillo, the porcupine and the sloth bear. These animals are called insectivores, since their diet is based only on insects.

One of the most interesting aspects of insectivores is that they can be animals as large as an anteater and still feed on insects as small as ants.

You may also be interested in this list of animals in danger of extinction.

Top 10 animals that eat insects

1- Bat

Within the order of bats there are around 1,100 species, of which 70% have a diet based solely on insects.

These mammals are also called Chiropterans and inhabit all continents except Antarctica.

2- Anteater

This animal has a very different body from many mammals.

Its robust body presents a very long snout, without teeth, and with a highly developed sense of smell. This allows you to get your food more easily.

3- Porcupine

The porcupine is a rodent with spiky fur that can be found both in America and in Europe, Asia and Africa.

In America five genera of porcupines are obtained, while in the other continents there are only four genera.

4- Armadillo

The armadillo is a mammal that is recognized by its particular dorsal shell, formed by bony layers that function as protection.

This frame can be used in some cases to roll up and protect yourself in a spherical shell.

5- lunar rat

This species is also recognized as a gymnurus. It has a black color throughout its coat, except for the head and tail.

However, moon rats can be found with their entire body white.

6- Frog

The diet of frogs ranges from smaller vertebrate animals, such as rats and arachnids, to invertebrate species such as insects.

In fact, these animals have a long tongue that allows them to hunt down prey of a minimum size, quickly.

7- Mole

Moles are renowned for living underground in tunnels they dug themselves.

Their long claws allow them to quickly and easily dig into the ground. They lead an underground life, which makes them safe from any threat.

8- lazy bear

The sloth bear, named for its lazy man-like demeanor, is a solitary animal that is generally active at night.

At this time, the sloth is looking to feed predominantly on ants and termites.

9- Shrew

Shrews are mammals very similar to mice. They differ from these by not being rodents and by having a much longer snout than a mouse.

Genetically, the shrew is related to hedgehogs.

10- Tenrec

This is a mammal that can be found predominantly in Madagascar. He is active at night and tends to be lonely.

It is a very curious animal, not only for its colors and its appearance, but also for its way of life.

The tenrec can reproduce up to 32 young in mating season. In addition, it has spikes on its dorsal part that it uses to communicate with its young through ultrasound generated by rubbing them.

These spikes are also used to spread poisons. This makes it one of the 13 poisonous mammals in the world.

References

1. Alonso, N. "A List of Insect-Eating Mammals" in: Pets. Retrieved: November 10, 2017 from Pets: animals.mom.me
2. "List of Insectivorous Animals" at: Animals Name A to Z. Retrieved: November 10, 2017 from Animals Name A to Z: animals.realisticcoloringpages.com
3. "Mole" (January 9, 2017) in: AZ Animals. Retrieved on: November 10, 2017 from AZ Animals: az-animals.com
4. "Sloth Bear" in National Geographic. Retrieved on November 10, 2017 from National Geographic: nationalgeographic.com
5. "Tenrec, the mammal that gives birth to 32 young" (April 22, 2013) Curious Nature. Recovered on November 10, 2017 from Nature Curiosa: Naturalezacuriosa.com