Mesopredator
A mesopredator is a medium-sized predator in the middle of a trophic level,[1] they often prey on small animals. When populations of apex predators decrease, populations of mesopredators often increase, due to apex predators predating on them.
Gallery
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Raccoons and skunks are mesopredators. Pictured is a common raccoon and a striped skunk eating cat food in an urban area.
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The red panda is a mesopredator, despite its name, it is not closely related to the giant panda, an apex predator.
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An Indian grey mongoose, most mongooses are mesopredators, preying on small animals but also dangerous rats and snakes.
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A cat with a killed rabbit, the cat is the most abundant and widespread felid species, most felids under 10 kg are mesopredators.
See also
References
- ↑ Groom, Martha; Meffe, Gary (August 5, 2005). Principles of Conservation Biology. Sinauer Associates, Inc. ISBN 978-0878935970. Retrieved February 2015.