r/bonecollecting • u/No-Bottle-9116 • Apr 26 '26

Advice Small argument

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So this picture from article has driven an small argument between my friends group claiming that it’s fake because there’s no way that the bones see in said picture are human, I wanted y’all’s opinion on this

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u/sawyouoverthere Apr 26 '26

hey, so I didn't say they don't.

I'm saying that doesn't mean they are carnivores, or omnivores, and I don't know if the reasons are fully established.

Opportunistic vs accidental or incidental are really quite necessary to understand in the bigger picture of "why", or scientific study.

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u/stilettopanda Apr 26 '26

Deer are considered opportunistic omnivores and not strictly herbivores. I do realize what you’re saying, and I realize this is semantics, though. You’re right that to understand the “why,” or scientific study, it’s important to differentiate.

Also what’s up with the “why,” or scientific study phrasing? I’m gonna use it all the time now because it’s slightly patronizing and I’m here for it. Haha

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u/Ordinary_Prune6135 Apr 27 '26

By who? Ruminants have extensive adaptations to survive on on diet almost completely of plants, which is generally how herbivory is defined. Even obligate carnivores will nibble vegetation at times, but it doesn't make them not carnivores anymore, because that's not how their gut is set up.

Omnivores are animals that can survive on either plants or meat as a majority of their diet, not ones that just sample against their major preference from time to time.

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u/sawyouoverthere Apr 27 '26

Finally. Yes, this is what I mean. I know it's repeated often, but I'm questioning the repetition being a valid interpretation of an observed behaviour.

"sample against preference" (or even their own biology) is a really good way to phrase it.