A detrivore primarily feeds on what?

A detritivore primarily feeds on dead organic matter, such as decomposing plants and animals. These organisms play a crucial role in ecosystems by breaking down and recycling nutrients back into the soil, which helps support new plant growth. Detritivores, like earthworms and certain fungi, help to speed up the decomposition process, making nutrients available for other organisms in the food web. This feeding habit distinguishes them from other types of consumers, such as herbivores, which eat living plants, and carnivores, which consume living animals. Therefore, the correct answer emphasizes the role of detritivores in the ecosystem as essential recyclers of organic matter.