Which type of consumer exclusively eats other animals?

The type of consumer that exclusively eats other animals is a carnivore. Carnivores are organisms that have adapted to primarily consume meat, which includes various strategies for hunting or scavenging for their prey. This dietary specialization allows them to play a critical role in maintaining the balance of ecosystems by controlling prey populations, competing with herbivores, and facilitating nutrient cycling.

In contrast, herbivores are consumers that specialize in eating plants, while omnivores have a mixed diet that includes both plant and animal matter. Scavengers, on the other hand, are a subset of carnivores that feed on the remains of dead animals rather than actively hunting them. Thus, the definition of a carnivore emphasizes their unique role as dedicated meat-eaters within the ecological food web.