Question

Explain different types of consumers found in an ecosystem.

Answer 1

Ecosystem:

1. The Earth is home to plants and animals.
2. The natural surroundings in which a living thing survives is its environment.
3. These living things interact with one another and with their surroundings. This interaction of the living things with their physical environment forms an ecosystem.
4. Common examples of ecosystems are pond, lake, river, marine, desert, grassland and forest ecosystems.

Heterotrophs:

1. All living organisms that cannot make their own food either depend on plants or other animals for food.
2. They are called heterotrophs.

Consumers:

1. Primary consumers: Animals that mainly depend on plants for their food are called herbivores. Some examples of herbivores are cows, goats and deer. Herbivores are also called primary consumers.
2. Secondary consumers: Animals that eat the flesh and meat of other living animals are called carnivores. Some examples of carnivores are lions, tigers and leopards. Carnivores that eat herbivores are also called secondary consumers.
3. Tertiary consumers: There are certain carnivores that eat other carnivores. They are called tertiary consumers.
4. Some animals eat both plants and animals. They are called omnivores. Some examples of omnivores are human beings, monkeys and bears.
5. Some animals feed on dead animals. They are called scavengers. Vultures are the most common scavengers.
6. Some organisms derive their nutrition by breaking down dead and decaying material. They are also referred to as the cleaners of the environment. These organisms are called decomposers.