What type of feeder ingests large pieces of food?

Prepare for your Ontario Grade 11 University Biology Exam. Enhance your understanding with flashcards and multiple choice questions designed with explanations. Ace your exam!

The correct answer is bulk feeder. Bulk feeders are organisms that consume large quantities of food by ingesting sizable portions all at once, which typically consist of whole prey or substantial pieces of vegetation. This strategy allows bulk feeders to maximize their energy intake in a single feeding session and is commonly observed in various animals, including many mammals. They have adaptations such as strong jaws or beaks that enable them to process large amounts of food effectively.

In contrast, filter feeders capture small food particles from their environment, usually by filtering water through specialized structures. Fluid feeders obtain nutrients by sucking or lapping up liquids, like nectar or blood, and rely on a different mechanism for nutrient acquisition. Herbivores, while they may consume large quantities of plant material, can use various feeding strategies, including bulk feeding, but the key characteristic of bulk feeders is their ability to ingest large, indigestible pieces at once. Thus, the classification of bulk feeder is specifically defined by the behavior of consuming substantial pieces, making it the appropriate choice for this question.

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