An eagle is an example of a heterotroph. All animals are heterotrophs.
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Image courtesy of Corel Photography

Heterotrophs

Heterotrophs, like this eagle, feed off of other forms of life. Heterotrophs are the consumers of the food chain. This process of producing biological energy is different from that of autotrophs who produce their own food using energy from the Sun.

The term heterotroph can refer to single or multi-celled organisms. Many bacteria as well as all fungi and animals are heterotrophs.

Last modified August 9, 2006 by Jennifer Bergman.

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