Biosphere Contents

4. Interdependence

A predator is a species which feed on another species, the prey, usually killing them

Predator-prey relationships include algae feeding on bacteria, through herbivores feeding on plant seeds, to carnivores feeding on herbivores. The difference between a predator and a parasite is that a parasite feeds on a very few hosts during its life-time, and does not normally kill the hosts, whereas a predator eats and typically kills many prey organisms. Grazers feed on parts of many prey individuals, but do not usually kill them. In most situations the predator is larger than its prey and because of the energy loss between trophic levels, is considerably less numerous.

Komodo dragons Komodo dragons
Komodo dragons Komodo dragons
   
Tarantula Ants consuming fruit
Tarantula Ants consuming fruit

What is a predator? What is prey?