Folivore

A folivore is any herbivorous animal that specializes in consuming leaves. Their name derives from the Latin words folium (‘leaf’) and –voro (‘I devour’), which reflect their leaf-based diet.^[1] Due to such specialized dietary preferences, these animals, particularly mammalian folivores, have long digestive tracts and slow metabolic rates, which help break down the hard-to-digest cellulose found in mature leaves.

Most folivorous mammals, especially primates and marsupials, are tree-dwelling, having broad molars featuring sharp, high cusps linked by shearing crests.^[2] These specialized teeth help them efficiently break down the tough fibers in leaves. To make digestion more efficient, folivorous primates prefer eating immature leaves, which are easier to chew, have higher protein content, and provide more energy.^[3] Moreover, they also house symbiotic bacteria in their gut, which help ferment the ingested leaves for easy digestion.^[4]

Although these animals primarily consume leaves, they may occasionally eat other plant parts, like shoots, flowers, and fruits, as well as some insects.

List of Common Folivores

The table below lists the most commonly found animals that predominantly feed on leaves.

*Occasionally also consume insects

Because folivores consume large amounts of leaves, their feeding habits heavily influence the ecosystems they occupy. For instance, in dense forests, arboreal folivores trim the canopy, allowing sunlight to reach the understory plants. Moreover, they also prevent a single plant species from dominating a particular area, promoting plant diversity.

Interesting Facts

Folivory is rare in flying vertebrates because flight requires quick-digesting, high-energy fuel, whereas leaves provide fewer calories and are slow to digest.^[5] However, a few birds and insects are known to consume leaves as their primary food source.