In a recent poll, 30% of meat eaters said they wouldn’t date a vegetarian. Well, being one myself, I won’t comment on the attractiveness of human vegetarians. However, I can safely say there are quite a few plant-eating beauties among the non-humans. More accurately called “herbivores,” these animals are adapted to primarily eat plant-based foods and may be found right in your own backyard!
The following photos were donated by past participants in the National Wildlife® Photo Contest. The deadline to enter this year’s contest is July 16, 2012.
American Goldfinch
Goldfinches are among the strictest vegetarians in the bird world, selecting an entirely vegetable diet and only inadvertently swallowing an occasional insect. (Photo: Michael Henry)
White-Tailed Deer
Though almost entirely herbivorous, eating a wide variety of plants, white-tailed deer have been known to opportunistically feed on nesting songbirds and field mice. (Photo: Trish Satkofsky)
Monarch Butterfly
Unlike the larvae that only eat milkweed, adult monarchs feed on a wide variety of nectar bearing flowers. They will visit many different kinds of flowers in their search for food. (Photo: Dave Hawkins)
Eastern Cottontail
Cottontails feed mainly on herbaceous plants such as clovers, grasses, and low broad-leafed weeds in summer, and buds, twigs, and bark in winter. (Photo: Chuanxiao Li)
Lubber Grasshopper
Eastern lubbers, like most all grasshoppers, can regurgitate recently consumed plant material. This regurgitant is mostly liquid and has a dark brown color and is commonly referred to as ‘tobacco spit.’ (Photo: Pamela Wanamaker)
Gray Squirrel
On very rare occasions, when its usual plant food sources are scarce, Eastern gray squirrels will prey upon insects, frogs, small rodents, and small birds, their eggs and young. (Photo: Colleen Faupel)
