What Are Food Chains?

You are a link in an important chain called a food chain. A food chain is a chain of energy. Each member of the chain gets energy from the food it eats. When one living thing eats another, a link is formed in the food chain.

The first links in the food chain are the producers. Producers are plants. For example, grass is a producer.

The next links in the food chain are consumers. Consumers eat plants or other animals. Consumers that eat plants are called herbivores. Consumers that eat other animals are called carnivores.

The last links in the food chain are the decomposers. Decomposers are tiny organisms that break down the bodies of dead plants and animals.

These white-tailed deer are consumers that are herbivores.View Larger Image

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