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Aphids are small, soft-bodied insects that are typically green or black. They have long antennae and two short tubes (cornicles) protruding from their backs. Aphids feed on plant juices, sugars, and nectar by piercing plant tissues with their needle-like mouthparts and sucking out the fluid. Aphids are not decomposers, but rather primary consumers as they…
Elk are grazing herbivores that live in wooded areas. In the wild, elk eat a variety of plants including grasses, shrubs, and bark. Their diet changes between seasons as different plants become more or less available. Elks are strictly herbivores. Elk live on plants like grasses and moss, but they would never eat a living…
Beetles are a type of insect that lives in nearly every habitat on Earth. There are more than 350,000 species of beetle and they vary greatly in size, shape, and color. Beetles tend to be herbivores (primary consumers) feeding on plants, but they may also be secondary consumers (omnivores) and also play an important role…
Mountain lions are carnivores that live in the western United States. They are tertiary consumers, which mean they eat animals are predators themselves. Mountain lions are also known as pumas, cougars, catamounts or panthers. The mainstay of their diet is deer, but they will also eat rabbits, turkey, raccoon, and porcupine depending on what is…
Algae are plant-like organisms that grow in water. They are classified as producers since they create their own food using sunlight, sugar, carbon dioxide and minerals. Algae are not decomposers but producers. This is because algae live predominantly off sunlight using photosynthesis to extract energy and they breathe CO2 to obtain carbon atoms to build…
The AKSOUL RUNACC inflatable foot-pump sleeping pad, a portable and convenient sleeping pad, is one of the first products to be launched by a relatively new hiking gear company AKSOUL. This sleeping mat is camping luxury! It features a sturdy, yet lightweight design that is more comfortable than most inflatable mats out there. With a…
Cyanobacteria, also known as blue-green algae, are a type of bacteria that live in fresh and salt water environments. Cyanobacteria are often mistaken for plants because of this, but they are actually bacteria not plants. They are producers, meaning they produce their own food using photosynthesis. Because cyanobacteria can make their own energy through photosynthesis,…
Vultures live in many different habitats including rainforests, savannahs, deserts and high mountain regions1. They can be found on all continents except Antarctica and Australia. Vultures are not decomposers but scavengers. They feed on meat from fresh carcasses, making them carnivores. Depending on the food availability and species they may be either secondary, tertiary or…
Most garden birds are omnivores with a diet that include everything from seeds and fruits, to insects and smaller animals. Therefore, larger backyard birds will eat tadpoles as a part of their diet if accessible to them. In fact, many garden birds will actively seek out tadpoles to eat if you have a source…
Flamingos are fascinating creatures, and their babies are adorable and quirky. The name flamingo is from the Latin word flamenco, meaning fire or flame colored, suggesting that we have been stunned by their beautiful colors for a very long time! In the recent years, biologists have made numerous new discoveries about baby flamingo’s that may…