Ecological Consumers
Ecological consumers
Organisms that feed either directly or indirectly on producers, plants that convert solar energy into complex organic molecules. Primary consumers are animals that eat plants directly. They are also called herbivores. Secondary consumers are animals that eat other animals. They are also called carnivores. Consumers that eat both plants and animals are omnivores. Parasites are a type of consumer that lives in or on the plant or animal on which it feeds. Detrivores (detritus feeders and decomposers ) constitute a specialized class of consumers that feed on dead plants and animals.
See also Biotic community
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Herbivore , An herbivore is an animal that eats plants as its primary source of sustenance. Examples of herbivores include large mammals such as cattle, deer, sh… Predator , A predator is an organism that hunts and eats its prey . All predators are heterotrophs, meaning they must consume the tissues of other organisms to… Omnivore , An omnivore is an animal that eats both plants and other animals. Because of the wide variety in their diet, omnivores are adaptable to many differen… Heterotroph , A heterotroph is a creature that must ingest biomass to obtain its energy and nutrition . In direct contrast, autotrophs are capable of assimilating… Feeding Strategies , All animals must eat to live. Animals obtain energy and essential nutrients from the things that they eat. Since animals cannot harvest energy direct… Ecosystems , An ecosystem (ecological system) is a living community and its nonliving environment. It is a term used by life scientists to break up the biosphere…
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Ecological Consumers