mesopredator
Intermediate food-chain carnivore
A mesopredator is a mid-level predator—one that hunts smaller animals but is itself prey for larger carnivores.
Foxes, raccoons, and coyotes are typical mesopredators, sitting between apex predators like wolves and the rodents or birds they consume.
When apex predators disappear from an ecosystem, mesopredator populations often explode, a phenomenon called mesopredator release.
Masked North American omnivore
- skunkSpray-armed striped mammal
- opossumAmerican pouch-bearing mammal
- foxCunning wild canine
- coyoteWild North American canid
mongoose · coati · genet · civet · marten · badger · jackal · feral cat
Interconnected predator-prey relationships
- competitionStruggle for supremacy
- nicheRecessed wall space
- guildProfessional mutual-aid society
- omnivoreEats plants and animals
Exploiting circumstances for gain
- nocturnalActive during darkness
- adaptableAble to adjust readily
- territorialDefensive about owned space
- denPrivate room or lair
burrow · foraging · hunting · ambush · stalking · scavenging · caching · home range
Rapid growth in inhabitants
- overabundanceExcessive quantity beyond need
- biodiversity lossReduction in species variety
- rewildingRestoring natural ecosystems
- restorationReturning something to condition
raccoon
Masked North American omnivore
coyote · mongoose · coati · genet · civet · marten · badger · jackal · feral cat · mink
food web
Interconnected predator-prey relationships
- competitionStruggle for supremacy
- nicheRecessed wall space
- guildProfessional mutual-aid society
omnivore · scavenger · generalist · energy transfer · biomass
opportunistic
Exploiting circumstances for gain
- nocturnalActive during darkness
- adaptableAble to adjust readily
- territorialDefensive about owned space
den · burrow · foraging · hunting · ambush · stalking · scavenging · caching · home range · coexistence
population explosion
Rapid growth in inhabitants
- overabundanceExcessive quantity beyond need
- biodiversity lossReduction in species variety
- rewildingRestoring natural ecosystems
meso, mesosphere, predator, predation, predatory, predators, prey, predate, predating