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Individuals smaller than about 16 centimetres (6.3 in) in length eat plankton and minuscule crustaceans, while larger individuals feed on small fish (like shad), as well as minnows. [6] Adult black crappies feed on fewer fish than white crappies do; instead they consume a larger volume of insects, insect larvae [17] and crustaceans. [7]
When white crappies reach a length of 12–15 centimetres (4.7–5.9 in), they are considered adult. The adults feed mainly on small fish such as minnows and young American shad, [14] and large invertebrates such as crayfish and hellgrammites. [13] [17] Their diet can vary depending on their location. They feed the most in June through October.
They feed during dawn and dusk, by moving into open water or approaching the shore. [20] [21] Hybrid crappie (Pomoxis annularis × nigromaculatus) have been cultured and occur naturally. [22] The crossing of a black crappie female and white crappie male has better survival and growth rates among offspring than the reciprocal cross does. [22]
Once prey is caught, the otters use their powerful jaws and sharp teeth to consume their meal quickly, even protective crustacean shells. They have canines that deliver a lethal bite, and molars that can crush bones and the shells of mollusks. Sea otter molars are broad, flat, multi cuspid teeth and the carnassial are also modified for crushing.
The shape and arrangement of the radular teeth is an adaptation to the feeding regimen of the species. The teeth of the radula are lubricated by the mucus of the salivary gland, just above the radula. Food particles are trapped into this sticky mucus, smoothing the progress of food into the esophagus. Certain gastropods use their radular teeth ...
Feeding location tends to be a balance between food abundance and predator abundance. Bluegill use gill rakers and bands of small teeth to ingest their food. During summer months, bluegills generally consume 3.2 percent [17] of their body weight each day. To capture prey, bluegills use a suction system in which they accelerate water into their ...
For example, mosquitoes and aphids both pierce and suck; however, female mosquitoes feed on animal blood whereas aphids feed on plant fluids. This section provides an overview of the individual mouthparts of chewing insects. The diversification of insects' food sources led to the evolution of their mouthparts.
Wrasses have become a primary study species in fish-feeding biomechanics due to their jaw structure. They have protractile mouths, usually with separate jaw teeth that jut outwards. [ 20 ] Many species can be readily recognized by their thick lips, the inside of which is sometimes curiously folded, a peculiarity which gave rise the German name ...