Trophic levels

The idea

Each organism's position in a food chain is its trophic level: producers are at the first level, herbivores at the second, small carnivores at the third and large carnivores at the next.

Positions in a chain

In a food chain each organism has its own position.

What is an organism's position in a food chain called?

• Its trophic level
• Its habitat
• Its population

Place the levels

Build the chain Grass, Grasshopper, Frog, Snake, Eagle and see the levels.

Trophic levels

The first level holds producers. Herbivores are at the second level. Small carnivores are at the third level. Large carnivores occupy the next level.

Each position is a trophic level (troph = food). Producers: level 1. Herbivores: level 2. Small carnivores: level 3. Large carnivores: next level.

• Trophic level | Organisms
• 1st | Producers (green plants)
• 2nd | Herbivores (hares, deer)
• 3rd | Small carnivores (frogs)
• Next | Large carnivores (tigers, vultures)

Notes

Trophic levels: producers 1, herbivores 2, small carnivores 3, large carnivores next.

Check yourself

Producers are at the …

Herbivores such as hares and deer are at the …

A frog, a small carnivore, is at the …

In Grass → Grasshopper → Frog → Snake → Eagle, at which trophic level is the frog?

Answer: 3

Grass is 1, grasshopper 2, frog 3.

• first trophic level — correct. Yes!
• second trophic level. Herbivores are at the second level.
• third trophic level. Small carnivores are at the third level.
• first trophic level. Producers are at the first level.
• second trophic level — correct. Yes!
• third trophic level. Small carnivores are at the third level.
• second trophic level. Herbivores are at the second.
• first trophic level. Producers are at the first.
• third trophic level — correct. Yes!