What is a consumer that eats both plants and animals called?

A consumer that eats both plants and animals is referred to as an omnivore. This classification highlights the dietary flexibility of omnivores, which allows them to derive energy and nutrients from a variety of sources, including both plant materials and animal matter.

In the ecosystem, omnivores play a significant role by participating in multiple trophic levels, as they can consume different types of organisms based on availability and environmental conditions. Their ability to eat both flora and fauna enables them to adapt to changing food supply situations, ensuring their survival in diverse habitats.

Herbivores primarily consume plants, and carnivores focus on eating other animals, so these classifications do not encompass the broader dietary habits of an omnivore. Decomposers, on the other hand, break down dead organic material and recycle nutrients back into the ecosystem, which is a different function altogether.