Which type of animals exclusively eat plants?

Herbivores are the type of animals that exclusively eat plants. This dietary specialization means they have adapted anatomical and physiological features that enable them to efficiently extract nutrients from plant materials. Their digestive systems are often equipped with specialized structures, such as longer intestines, to help break down cellulose, the main component of plant cell walls, which is not easily digestible.

For example, many herbivores have complex stomachs or symbiotic relationships with microorganisms that aid in the digestion process. Herbivores play a crucial role in ecosystems as primary consumers, converting plant energy into forms that can be used by higher trophic levels, such as carnivores.

While omnivores eat both plants and animals, and detritivores feed on decomposing organic materials, herbivores maintain a strict diet that focuses solely on vegetation. Fluid feeders primarily consume the fluids of other organisms, such as nectar or blood. Thus, in the context of dietary classifications, herbivores are uniquely identified by their exclusive consumption of plant matter.