Predators: Glossary

A

abundant

lots of something

adaptations

the changes of an organism that allows it to survive

ambush

a surprise attack

apex predator

the top creature of the food chain - usually does not have a predator

B

bogs

spongy ground made of dead plant material

C

camouflage

the ability to hide or blend into the environment

canine

pointy teeth used for tearing food

carcasses

dead body

carnivore

animal that eats meat

clusters

grouped together

concentrate

focus or to put energy towards something

D

decomposes

break down or rot

digestive enzymes

a protein which works to decompose food in an animal's digestive system

dominate

to have power over something

F

food chain

a system that carries nutrition through living organisms

food web

a more complex system but similar to a food chain

H

herbivores

animal that eats plants

I

incisors

front teeth used for biting

invertebrate

an animal with a backbone

L

leverage

grabbing power

M

molars

back teeth used for chewing

N

nocturnal

animal that hunts at night

nutrients

the healthy parts of food

O

omnivores

animals that eat plants and animals

organism

a living thing

P

paralyze

to keep from being able to move

predator

an animal that hunts for its food

primary consumers

in a food chain, animals that are herbivores

producers

plants produce energy from sunlight

Q

quaternary consumers

fourth layer of consumer in a food chain

S

scavengers

animals that eat food that is already dead

secondary consumers

second layer of consumer in a food chain, usually omnivores or carnivores

stalk

to follow prey

T

talons

sharp claws of a bird

tentacles

arms of an animal, usually invertebrate, such as an octopus

tertiary consumers

third layer of consumer in a food chain, usually carnivore

transform

to change

transmitted

to pass from one to another

V

vertebrates

animals with backbones

vibrations

a quick repeated motion that can often be felt or heard