filter feeding

British  

noun

1. zoology a method of feeding occurring in some aquatic animals, such as planktonic invertebrates and whalebone whales, in which minute food particles are filtered from the surrounding water

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Other Word Forms

• filter feeder
  noun

Example Sentences

The findings, published today in the Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, reveal that the forward-facing denticles, small tooth-like structures, on the oral plates of heterostracans are not an adaption to filter feeding.

From Science Daily • Jan. 16, 2024

The only real downside to filter feeding is that "the food supply might be seasonal, and could be in low supply at some times of year — but that's true for everything," Benton said.

From Salon • Aug. 9, 2023

That can harm filter feeding species like corals and sponges, and could smother or otherwise interfere with some creatures.

From Seattle Times • Jul. 2, 2023

They are filter feeding , during when they extract small pieces of food and particles from the water.

From Slate • Dec. 14, 2022

Asian carp were introduced to the United States in the 1970s by fisheries and sewage treatment facilities that used the fish’s excellent filter feeding capabilities to clean their ponds of excess plankton.

From Textbooks • Jun. 9, 2022