What do we call organisms that feed on primary consumers?

Organisms that feed on primary consumers are referred to as tertiary consumers. In the context of ecological food chains, primary consumers are typically herbivores that eat producers (plants), while secondary consumers are usually carnivores that prey on primary consumers. Tertiary consumers sit at a higher trophic level and feed on these secondary consumers. This structure is crucial for understanding the flow of energy and nutrients in an ecosystem.

For instance, in a typical food chain, plants capture sunlight and produce energy through photosynthesis, serving as producers. Herbivores, as primary consumers, eat these plants, and then carnivores, which are tertiary consumers, prey on these herbivores. Recognizing the role of tertiary consumers is essential for grasping the dynamics of ecological relationships and energy transfer within food webs.