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The Wildlife Web I - Producers and Consumers

cornPlants, ya gotta love 'em. They give you the energy you need to get through the day. Think about all the plants you eat. Where do they get the energy they need to get through the day and grow? 

Plants need energy to survive just like you, but they get their energy directly from the sun. Plants are producers. Producers are living things that can make their own food using air, light, soil, and water.

Plants use a process called photosynthesis to make food. Only plants can produce their own food. That's why they are called producers.

Animals that eat only plants are called herbivores. Herbivores are consumers because they eat plants to survive. Deer, grasshoppers, and rabbits are all consumers.

    Did You Know?
moose... plants are called producers because they make their own food using sunlight, air, nutrients and water.

... that herbivores are animals that eat only plants.

... moose are the largest member of the deer family.

    What Do You Think?
Question MarksClick here to test your producer and consumer knowledge.



    NatureFiles    

File FolderLearn more about some animals that are consumers.

moose bighorn sheep
white-tailed deer American bison
American goldfinch
    Teacher's Guide

AppleClick here to access the teacher's guide for this episode.


    View Online
In the first segment, Patrice looks at how plants make food and at how and plants and plant eating animals depend on each other. Next, she and Dave examine an area and discuss the how the plants found there could provide food for moose and other herbivores. In segment three, we take an up-close look at the moose and its habitat. Finally, Olivia and Michael visit with Professor Brent Loy, who is producing melons that grow more quickly, bigger and sweeter. Watch Online >>




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