In
zoology, a
folivore is a
herbivore that specializes in eating
leaves. Mature leaves contain a high proportion of hard-to-digest
cellulose, less energy than other types of foods, and often toxic compounds. For this reason folivorous animals tend to have long
digestive tracts and slow
metabolisms. Many enlist the help of
symbiotic bacteria to release the nutrients in their diet. Additionally, as has been observed in folivorous primates, they exhibit a strong preference towards immature leaves, which tend to be easier to
masticate, tend to be higher in energy, protein, lower in fibre and
poisons than more mature fibrous leaves.