Animals that do not produce their own energy are classified as what?

Animals that do not produce their own energy are classified as consumers. This term refers to organisms that obtain their energy by consuming other organisms, which can include plants, animals, or both. Unlike producers, such as plants and some microorganisms that generate energy through photosynthesis or chemosynthesis, consumers rely on other forms of life for sustenance.

Consumers are further categorized based on their diets: herbivores eat plants, carnivores eat other animals, and omnivores consume both plants and animals. This classification emphasizes the role of these organisms in food webs and ecosystems, as they are essential for energy transfer within these systems.

In contrast, producers are the foundational component of ecosystems, while decomposers break down dead organic material. Herbivores are a specific type of consumer that focuses solely on plant matter. Therefore, the correct classification for animals that do not produce their own energy is indeed consumers.