Question

What best describes the role of the squirrel in the food web?

Answer 1

The squirrel is the prey for larger animals. The consumer 1

Answer 2

`\boxed {\tt C. \ A \ primary \ consumer \ that \ is \ food \ for \ a \ single \ predator, \ the \ hawk}`

Step-by-step explanation:

First, let's examine the food web and focus on the squirrel. The grass points to the squirrel which points to the hawk. There are no other arrows involving the squirrel.

Therefore, the squirrel is only food for the hawk. We can eliminate A and B.

Now, let's focus on the last two answers. The difference between C and D is C says "primary consumer" and D says "secondary consumer". Let's define these terms.

Primary consumer

• Consumers that eat plants

Secondary consumer

• Consumers that eat primary consumers

The arrow points from the grass to the squirrel. The arrow represents energy flow, so the energy flows from the grass to the squirrel (the squirrel eats grass). Grass is a plant, so a squirrel is a primary consumer.

The correct answer is C. A primary consumer that is food for a single predator, the hawk