You have learned about how plants make their own food.   The process is called photosynthesis.   Plants are called producers because they make, or produce, their own food.   Animals rely on plants since animals cannot make food.   In this lesson, you will be investigating how animals obtain their food.

Consumers

Animals can be classified according what they eat - their diet.   This is one way of grouping animals.   It is a useful way of studying feeding relationships in environments.

Because animals cannot produce their own food, they are called consumers.   You can group animals (consumers) on the basis of their diet, or what they eat.