Insectivore
![This aardwolf skull exhibits greatly reduced molars and carnassials, teeth that are redundant in a large, insectivorous animal subsisting on soft insects such as termites. The dentition of a shrew is very different. The aardwolf uses its canine teeth in self-defence and, occasionally, in digging; accordingly, the canines have not been greatly reduced.](/Images/godic/202501/20/Aardwolfskull2419.jpg")
![A robber fly eating a hoverfly](/Images/godic/202501/20/Common_brown_robberfly_with_prey2420.jpg")
![The giant anteater, a large insectivorous mammal](/Images/godic/202501/20/Myresluger22420.jpg")
![Drosera capensis, the Cape sundew, bends on trapping an insect.](/Images/godic/202501/20/Drosera_capensis_bend2420.JPG")
An insectivore is a carnivorous plant or animal that eats insects. An alternative term is entomophage, which also refers to the human practice of eating insects.
The first insectivorous vertebrates were amphibians. When they evolved 400 million years ago, the first amphibians were piscivores, with numerous sharp conical teeth, much like a modern crocodile. The same tooth arrangement is however also suited for eating animals with exoskeletons, thus the ability to eat insects is an extension of piscivory.