Tertiary consumers

Definition

Tertiary consumers are organisms that occupy the third trophic level in a food chain, primarily feeding on secondary consumers. They play a crucial role in maintaining the balance of ecosystems by controlling the population of other species.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Tertiary consumers are typically carnivorous or omnivorous.
2. They help regulate the populations of secondary consumers, preventing overpopulation and resource depletion.
3. Examples include large predators like lions, eagles, and sharks.
4. They have fewer natural predators than primary or secondary consumers.
5. Energy transfer to tertiary consumers is less efficient, with only about 0.1% of the original energy from producers being available.

Review Questions

• What types of organisms are considered tertiary consumers?
• Why are tertiary consumers important for ecosystem balance?
• Give three examples of tertiary consumers.

Related terms

Primary Consumers: Organisms that feed directly on producers such as plants.

Secondary Consumers: Organisms that feed on primary consumers and sometimes on producers as well.

Food Chain: A linear sequence showing how energy and nutrients flow through an ecosystem from producers to various levels of consumers.