A food chain is a representation of how energy flows through one organism to another in an ecosystem. The chain begins with producers, such as plants and algae. The food energy is flowed next through several different organisms. 

The first organisms that will consume the producers are called primary consumers. These are usually herbivores, like rabbits, certain types of insects, deer, and cows. 

The energy will now flow to organisms known as secondary consumers. These are your carnivores that aren't quite at the top of the food chain. Small birds, foxes, and small snakes are just a few examples of secondary consumers.

Next, larger carnivores known as tertiary consumers will eat the secondary consumers. These animals can include big cats, wolves, great white sharks, lions, large snakes, and large birds of prey.  

After the tertiary consumers die, decomposers move swiftly into action. Decomposers are organisms that break down dead matter and return nutrients to the soil. Fungi, bacteria, worms, and certain insects are all examples of decomposers.

Once these nutrients are returned to the soil or water, new producers are created and old producers are replenished.

The food chain has restarted!

Flip to the next page to watch the food chain in action!

The sun beams its warm light across the Earth. 

This light plays a crucial role in the food chain. It marks the beginning. 

Using sunlight, photosynthesis takes place all across the world. Producers just like this grass will undergo photosynthesis to create food, as well as other crucial byproducts that all animals need to survive, like oxygen.

The grasshopper eats the grass...

And the frog eats the grasshopper.

The snake eats the frog...

And the hawk eats the snake. 

Tiny arachnids known as mites live on the hawk's feathers...

And ladybugs eat the mites!

A swallow eats the ladybug...

And a bobcat eats the swallow.

A coyote will eat the bobcat, whether through scavenging or hunting in packs.

And after the coyote dies, a vulture will eat it next.

After the vulture dies, a variety of decomposers will jump into action.

These decomposers will likely include organisms such as earthworms...