In the wild, greedy animals are often associated with human behavior. Still, it may surprise that several animal species also exhibit strikingly similar traits. From birds to mammals and even insects, some creatures are remarkably inclined to collect more resources than they need for survival. As we discuss the fascinating world of animals that are greedy. we uncover a complex web of behaviors and motivations that challenge our understanding of what it means to be driven by desire. Here are a few of the greediest creatures that can be found in the animal world.
List Of 11 Most Greedy Animals In The World
The natural world has many interesting animals. Some animals are very greedy when it comes to food. The raccoon is one of the greediest. It is known for going through trash cans and taking any food it can find. Its huge appetite and cleverness make it a true glutton.
Squirrels
Scientific Name: Sciuridae
Type of Animal: Mammal
Diet: Omnivore
Squirrels are often regarded as some of the greediest animals in the wild due to their tendency to store excessive amounts of food. These acrobatic creatures can consume and transport large quantities of corn, nuts, seeds, and other food items to their extensive caches. Squirrels diligently collect more than they need for immediate consumption, displaying their natural drive to prepare for scarcity.
Once stored, they fiercely defend their storage from potential raiders. This behavior secures their survival during lean times and supports the scattering and subsequent growth of plants through forgotten caches. To demonstrate remarkable feeding habits, squirrels engage in complex social interactions through vocalizations and behaviors such as tail flicking and chasing to establish group hierarchy.
Pigeons
Scientific Name: Columbidae
Type of Animal: Aves
Pigeons are notorious as greedy birds constantly on the hunt for food. They can collect an amount equivalent to their entire body weight in a single feeding session. This voracious behavior results in relentless feeding and creating sanitation problems in public spaces.
Some countries have implemented strict regulations prohibiting the feeding of pigeons to prevent damage to buildings and park benches. These measures aim to decrease the unsightly consequences of pigeon activity in urban areas and public locations. The excessive droppings generated by the uncontrolled pigeon population create unsightly messes and pose health risks.
Hamsters
Scientific Name: Cricetinae
Type of Animal: Mammal
Diet: Omnivore
Hamsters are the cutest rodents and their owners know that their pets love to eat. Be careful about how much food you give them, as they will eat a lot, especially if it’s something they like. Most hamsters enjoy eating and can eat a lot, so it’s essential to make sure they get enough exercise to stay healthy and happy.
Pigs
Scientific Name: Sus scrofa domesticus
Type of Animal: Mammal
Diet: Omnivore
When someone says eat like a pig, it means overeating. Pigs need a lot of food to stay healthy. When hungry, they’ll eat almost anything, including meat, plants, and even their babies. They eat a lot at once. Pigs aren’t dirty animals that like to roll in their food. They only do that when they’re hot, to cool down because pigs can’t sweat.
Hyenas
Scientific Name: Hyaenidae
Type of Animal: Mammal
Diet: Carnivore
Hyenas are interesting animals with complex social structures and unique behaviors. Recent studies found Down syndrome in hyenas, which challenges our understanding of genetic diversity and cognitive functioning in non-human animals. Some people think they are also cowards. Hyenas hunt for food and don’t hunt on their own.
They rely on leftovers from other animals to live. Some say hyenas are greedy because they always want more food, even if they steal it from another animal. They keep looking for food all day, even after eating. A single hyena may not be dangerous to other animals, but a group of hyenas can be very destructive.
Gorillas
Scientific Name: Gorilla
Type of Animal: Mammal
Diet: Herbivore
Gorillas with high-domed heads and spend most of their day feeding. A giant male gorilla can eat more than 30kg of plants daily, even though that may not seem like a lot compared to its size. Because plants have less nutrition than meat, gorillas need to eat a lot to get what they need. Despite being strong and having big teeth, gorillas only eat plants like leaves and shoots and can quickly consume a lot of greenery.
Foxes
Scientific Name: Vulpes
Type of Animal: Mammal
Diet: Omnivore
Foxes are known for being playful and crafty. They are not considered greedy for eating a lot but for killing more than they can eat. They are not big animals so overeating would slow them down. Still, they hunt small animals like birds.
Tiger Sharks
Scientific Name: Galeocerdo cuvier
Type of Animal: Fish
Diet: Carnivore
Not all sharks are greedy. Most sharks don’t attack unless necessary, but tiger sharks are different. It’s one of the most dangerous sharks because it will eat anything. Even when it’s complete, the tiger shark will still take a bite of anything it finds. It also eats garbage and debris, which can end up in its stomach. Tiger sharks like to hunt at night but attack during the day if they see something to eat.
Tasmanian Devils
Scientific Name: Sarcophilus harrisii
Type of Animal: Mammal
Diet: Carnivore
The Tasmanian devil is a fantastic animal known for its huge appetite. It can eat over 40 times its body weight in less than an hour. It usually eats this much food throughout the day and only quickly when needed. Tasmanian devils mainly eat small animals like snakes and birds. They could be better hunters, but they hunt enough to get enough food.
Puffins
Scientific Name: Fratercula
Type of Animal: Aves
Diet: Carnivore
The puffin is small but eats many fish because it lives near water. It is good at catching fish and can eat half its weight in fish. It captures many small fish at once and eats them quickly. Sometimes, it also eats insects and grains if they are around.
American Pygmy Shrews
Scientific Name: Sorex hoyi baird
Type of Animal: Mammal
Diet: Insectivore
The American pigmy shrew is the last animal on our list of greedy eaters. Even though it’s small, this shrew eats a lot because it needs a lot of energy. The shrew is constantly moving and using power, so it needs to eat often to keep its energy up. Even though they eat a lot, shrews don’t get fat because they have a fast metabolism. Their bodies are constantly digesting food, and they need to eat an amount of food equal to their body weight daily. If a shrew doesn’t eat enough, it can die.
Conclusion
The behavior of greedy animals with food consumption varies widely. While some are content with enough food to satisfy their immediate needs, others are greedy, consuming excessive amounts or hoarding for later. When comparing across species, humans are often viewed as the greediest creatures, desiring more than just sustenance. This hunger for accumulation and excess is deeply ingrained in human nature. It has wide-ranging implications for our society and planet.
FAQs
What animals are greedy?
The hippo was known for his insatiable appetite, consuming the food of others without any regard for their presence. He left nothing behind for the other animals, seizing every opportunity to devour their meals.
Do animals exhibit greed?
The insatiable craving for wealth, power, or food is a standard definition of greed. We typically attribute this undesirable trait to humans, and animals can also exhibit greedy behavior.
What is a selfish animal?
A recent study reveals that Chimpanzees, unlike humans, are entirely self-centered beings, acting solely in their own interests. This challenges the commonly held belief that they share similarities with us in terms of selfishness.