Types of Consumers
Consumers can be classified into three main groups based on the organisms they eat.
Animals that eat only plants or the products of plants are called herbivores. Grasshoppers, squirrels, horses, antelope, giraffes and elephants are herbivores. Butterflies feed on the nectar produced by flowers, so butterflies are herbivores too.
Animals that eat other animals are called carnivores. Big cats like lions, tigers and cheetahs are carnivores. Spiders, sharks, snakes and eagles are carnivores too.
Some animals eat both plants and other animals. They are called omnivores. Omnivores can eat algae and fungi too.
Many birds are omnivores. Ostriches eat plants and grasses. They also eat small insects and lizards. Bears are omnivores too. In some months they hunt for salmon and deer. At other times they eat leaves, berries and mushrooms.
Some reptiles are omnivores. Box turtles eat fish, frogs and other small animals. They also eat berries and flowers.
Related Printables.
Our Local Ecosystems
Ecosystems and Habitats
Wetland Ecosystems
Tropical Rainforest Ecosystems
Temperate Forest Ecosystems
Coral Reef Ecosystems
Producers, Consumers and Decomposers
Types of Consumers
Energy in Ecosystems – Comprehension
Food Chains
Food Webs
Review – Ecosystems
Assessment Pack
• printable PDF
• answer key
• marking guide