Tertiary Consumer

In an ecosystem, a tertiary consumer is an organism that feeds on secondary consumers, which in turn feed on primary consumers. Tertiary consumers are usually at the top of the food chain and play an important role in regulating populations of other organisms in the ecosystem.

Characteristics of Tertiary Consumers

• Feed on secondary consumers or primary consumers
• Generally carnivorous or omnivorous
• Help regulate the population of other organisms in the ecosystem

Examples of Tertiary Consumers

Examples of tertiary consumers include large predators such as lions, sharks, and eagles. These animals typically feed on smaller animals that are themselves consumers of other organisms.

Study Guide

Here are some key points to remember about tertiary consumers:

1. Tertiary consumers occupy the highest trophic level in a food chain or food web.
2. They play a crucial role in maintaining the balance of the ecosystem by controlling the population of other organisms.
3. Due to their position in the food chain, they are vulnerable to the effects of environmental changes and pollution.
4. Understanding the interactions of different trophic levels helps in understanding the dynamics of ecosystems.