The trophic levels of a food chain are divided into several categories. These trophic levels are used to distinguish between different types of organisms. After producers, primary consumers, and secondary consumers, a tertiary consumer is the fourth trophic level in the food chain.
Consumers in the tertiary sector eat primary and secondary consumers as their primary source of nutrition. Due to the fact that they are typically found at the top of food chains, feeding on both primary and secondary consumers, these organisms are sometimes referred to as apex predators.
Tertiary consumers can be either carnivores or omnivores, depending on their preferences. Their diet can consist solely of meat or can include a variety of plant foods. In addition to primary consumers such as birds, hawks can also feed on secondary consumers such as snakes.
Examples of tertiary consumer:
In both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, a large number of organisms are considered to be tertiary consumers of resources. Here are just a few examples:
A] Humans:
Humans are omnivorous to a large extent. They eat both plants and animals, and they are omnivorous. A further advantage of their diet is that they consume foods from virtually all trophic levels because they have a diverse diet. Even decomposers such as mushrooms are consumed by humans.
We could be considered primary consumers if we choose to eat only plant-based foods. This is due to the fact that we consume only plant-based foods. However, if we also choose to consume chicken that is fed exclusively on grain, we would fall into the category of secondary consumers.
B] polar Bear:
In the Arctic, the polar bear is the most dominant predator by far. It is classified as a tertiary predator due to the fact that it preys on fish, seals, and penguins, among other things.
It is possible, however, that the consumption of a seal that has eaten a penguin that has eaten a fish will not be considered a secondary predator in this case. This is due to the fact that several trophic levels have been traversed during the procedure. Despite this, polar bears are typically regarded as tertiary and apex predators, despite their complexity in the environment
C] Crocodiles:
Crocodiles are the masters of the sea. Their strength increases dramatically when they are submerged in water. They have one of the strongest jaws of any animals in the animal kingdom, making them a formidable opponent.
As a result, they have one of the most potent bites available. Even the most powerful predators, such as tigers and lions, are powerless against crocodiles when they enter water.
Functions of tertiary consumers:
The energy stored within organisms in an ecosystem is typically transferred through a food chain or food web to the rest of the ecosystem. Every organism in a food chain occupies a specific position in the food chain, which is referred to as a trophic level.The animals at lower trophic levels consume animals at higher trophic levels, and they themselves are consumed by animals at higher trophic levels.
At the top of the food chain, we typically have tertiary consumers, which are not preyed upon by any other animals in the area. As a result, they were given the name Apex Predators.
When tertiary consumers die, their bodies are consumed by scavengers and decomposers, who then consume their remains. Apex predators can be found at the top of some food chains, above the tertiary consumer.
Although energy is expended and lost as heat throughout the trophic levels, the process is not without its costs. As a result, the higher trophic levels have a limited supply of energy. As a result, it is common for there to be only four trophic levels. And it is the tertiary consumer who is left to fulfill the ecological role of the apex predator in the food chain.
Conclusion:
Animals that consume other animals are referred to as tertiary consumers.The trophic levels of a food chain are divided into several categories. These trophic levels are used to distinguish between different types of organisms.
Tertiary consumers can be either carnivores or omnivores, depending on their preferences. Their diet can consist solely of meat or can include a variety of plant foods. In addition to primary consumers such as birds, hawks can also feed on secondary consumers such as snakes. The energy stored within organisms in an ecosystem is typically transferred through a food chain or food web to the rest of the ecosystem.When tertiary consumers die, their bodies are consumed by scavengers and decomposers, who then consume their remains.