Here's how that works:
* Producers: Plants at the bottom of the food chain make their own food through photosynthesis.
* Herbivores: Animals that eat plants (like mice, rabbits, and birds) are primary consumers.
* Carnivores: Animals that eat other animals are secondary consumers. Cats fall into this category, eating herbivores like rodents and birds.
* Apex Predators: Some carnivores like lions, wolves, and even large cats like cougars sit at the top of the food chain, meaning they have few natural predators. Domestic cats, while carnivores, aren't generally considered apex predators due to their reliance on humans.
In the food chain, cats play an important role as predators, helping to control populations of their prey animals. However, domestic cats can also have negative impacts on certain ecosystems, especially on bird populations.