Question

A grassy meadow high in the Sierra Nevada Mountains of eastern California is known to support a variety of organisms. During the summers when grass is thick and lush, and wildflowers abound, butterflies take advantage of this abundant nectar source. Bears graze on the berries in shrubs at the edge of the meadow. Deer also forage at the edge of the meadow. In the early mornings, coyotes are known to prey on the squirrel and mouse populations that burrow into the meadow soil. A variety of birds prey on the butterflies and other flying insects, such as bees and wasps.​The coyotes would be classified as ____.
1) producers2) primary consumers3) secondary consumers4) decomposers5) tertiary consumers

Answer 1

Answer:

Option C, Secondary consumers

Explanation:

Secondary consumers are the organism that feed upon the primary organism.

Now if we make a hypothetical ecosystem  for meadow area described in the question -

Plants/grass ---> squirrel/mouse-----> coyotes-------> bears ------> microorganisms

Here,  all chlorophyll containing organism that are able to produce food on their own are considered as producers thus, plants/grass will be the producers.

Mouse and squirrels directly feed upon the producers, therefore they shall be considered as primary consumers. Coyotes will be secondary consumer. Bears in the meadows are common predators of coyotes , therefore they will be the tertiary consumers and lastly  decomposes will come.

Hence, option C is correct

Answer 2

Answer:

2. Secondary consumers

Explanation:

Secondary consumers are consumers that can eat primary consumers for energy.

Primary consumers are always plant eaters.