What do you call a consumer that only eats plants?

A consumer that exclusively feeds on plants is classified as an herbivore. Herbivores play a crucial role in ecosystems as primary consumers, meaning they are the first level of consumers in the food chain. They obtain energy by consuming plant material, which includes leaves, stems, fruits, and roots. This specialized diet allows them to thrive in various environments, from grasslands to forests, and they often have adaptations such as flat teeth for grinding and digesting tough plant fibers.

In contrast, other categories of consumers include carnivores, which primarily eat other animals, and omnivores, which have a varied diet that consists of both plants and animals. Detritivores consume decomposing organic matter, contributing to nutrient cycling. The distinction is essential in ecology, as it helps define the roles different organisms play in energy transfer and ecosystem dynamics.