Biology STAAR Test 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

Herbivores are a specific type of heterotroph that exclusively consume plant material for their sustenance. This category includes animals such as deer, cows, and rabbits, which rely entirely on plants for their energy and nutrients. Herbivores play a crucial role in ecosystems as they serve as primary consumers, directly feeding on producers (plants) and forming part of the food chain.

In contrast, carnivores primarily feed on other animals, while omnivores consume both plants and animals, and decomposers break down dead organic material to recycle nutrients back into the ecosystem. This diversity in dietary habits reflects the complexity of food webs and the interactions among different types of organisms in various ecosystems.